Team of Scott and Marilyn Dalton Win at Guntersville

From Division 1, April 11, 2009,  ABA Central Alabama Couples- Scott and  Marilynn Dalton from Jasper, TN are now one step closer to the American Couples Series Championship with this 1st Place win and $998.00 in the American Couples Series Team tournament held on Guntersville Lake this past weekend.  Scott and Marilyn five bass limit weighed in at 20.96 pounds. The second place team was Toby Adams and Kim Hicks from Tallapoosa, AL with a weight of 19.66 pounds. The third place team was Robie and Susan Hurst with a total weight of 19.02 pounds. Big bass was awarded on the ladies side Lisa Talmadge with a 6.30 pound bass and on the gentlemen’s side it was Adam Bain with a 6.42 pound bass.

These teams are acquiring valuable points to insure their birth in National Championship that will be held this fall. 

The top five teams were:
1. Scott & Marilyn Dalton – 20.96
2. Roby Adams & Kim Hicks – 19.66
3. Robie & Susan Hurst – 19.02
4. James & Karen Brazier – 18.54
5. Jimmy & Jean Isom – 18.38

Conditions: The night before the tournament an EF-3 tornado landed in Waterfront slew and crossed the lake to Preston Island causing severe damage to homes, docks, trees and boats in those areas and blocking Hwy 79 for most of the rest of the day and the early hours on the morning of the tournament.  The Hwy was somewhat cleared so that traffic could get from the Waterfront area to Scottsboro.  The morning of the tournament was cold and windy with the weather not getting much better throughout the day.  Participants were not released until after full sunrise due to debris in the water.

Winning Strategy:  During practice Scott and Marilyn had been fishing two feet and under in clearer water on spawning flats with the XR50 Foxy Shad or Mystic Blue Lipless Crankbait.  On Saturday morning their mid-lake water had muddied and the bites just weren’t there.  Scott pulled out to 3-6 feet of water in fresh milfoil that was only 6-10 inches tall.  Their bait of choice was a green pumpkin baby brush hog Texas Rigged and Carolina Rigged.  They had to basically slow their presentation down and just let it tip the grass and swim the bait and were able to net several limits.  The last fish of the day was hooked up at 2:12 p.m. on the windward side of an island which allowed them to cull their smallest fish and netted them the 20.96 pound bag.

Next Divisional Tournament: This division’s next tournament will be May 2, 2009 on Neely Henry at the Gadsden City Launch.

For more information on this or any future event in this division contact Rose Ellis at (205) 908-0042 or by email at: abacouplesdiv1@bellsouth.net.

The American Couples Series offers team events for families with a $100 entry fee. All ABA anglers fish for money and points. The points advance the teams to the American Couples Series Championship.

About American Bass Anglers
American Bass Anglers is the largest tournament organization for the weekend angler.  American Bass Anglers operates the American Fishing Tour, The Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Weekend Series and the American Couples Series.  Each tour is design specifically for the weekend angler offering low cost and close to home events so the anglers can qualify for larger championship.  For more information on American Bass Anglers visit www.americanbassanglers.com