ATHENS, Ala. – Matt and Emily Dean won the American Couples Series, operated by American Bass Anglers, Central Alabama Division 1 tournament, held April 22, 2017, on Lake Mitchell.

Running out of Higgins Ferry near Clanton, AL, they caught 5 bass weighing 12.32 pounds. For the victory, they earned a check for $750. They caught their fish using a tube on the main lake in the middle.

In second for the 20 teams, Bo Hunter and Brandee Johnson caught five bass weighing 12.24 pounds.  Bo won Man’s Big Fish with a 3.94-pound kicker.  They pocketed a check for $375.
Taking third place, the team of Nicky DaVico and Lauren Hagen caught 5 bass weighing 11.71 pounds and won $225.

In fourth place, Jimmy and Jean Isom caught 5 bass weighing 11.39 pounds.  They took home a check for $150.  Jean won the Woman’s Big Fish contest with a 3.27-pounder.

Donathan & Sherry Jacks rounded out the top five teams with 5 bass weighing 10.94 pounds.

The next divisional tournament will be May 13, 2017 on the Lay Lake.

All ABA American Couples Series events involve a team format with each team composed of one man and one woman. Although many married couples compete together as teams, some teams consist of boyfriend and girlfriend combinations, parent-child combinations or just two friends. Contestants between 12 and 18 years old may participate with a parent’s written permission.

The top angling couples from across the nation earn the right to compete in the annual American Bass Anglers Couples Series National Championship tournament.

American Bass Anglers commitment is to provide low cost, close to home tournaments for the weekend angler and at the same time offer each competitor an upward path for individual angler progression. For more information about American Bass Anglers and the American Fishing Tour, The Ram Truck Open Series, or the American Couples Series, visit www.americanbassanglers.com or call (256)232-0406.