ABA 2019 season opener

American Bass Anglers Division 126 will hold its 2019 season opener Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018 on Stockton Lake. Launch site will be Old State Park. This will be the first in a series of D126 tournaments all held on Stockton Lake. It will also be the first for new D126 director, Mike Dill. Dill is known by many of the anglers, as he has been the assistant director in the 2018 season.

D126 is a division of the American Fishing Tour (AFT), a national circuit with 40 plus divisions across the country. Each division sets their own schedule with at least five one-day tournaments and one two-day tournament. Each October, points leaders from all divisions are invited to compete in a National Championship where three fully rigged Triton Bass Boats will be awarded.

The AFT tournaments are run in a draw format. Boaters and non-boaters from age 14 are encouraged to compete. A random draw is done prior to each tournament to determine partners and boat position. Membership in ABA is $35/yr; entry fee is $70/angler. Boaters and non-boaters pay the same entry fee and fish for the same prizes. Membership and entry fee can be paid at the ramp the morning of the tournament.

Dill will be at Old State Park ramp at 5a.m. to take registration. A mandatory briefing will begin at 6:15 a.m. followed by the partner and boat position draw. Weigh-in will begin soon after a 3 p.m. check-in.

Information about D126 as well as other ABA divisions in the 4-state area can be found at  www.centralmidwestbass.com. Full 2019 schedule will be posted at this website as well as results of the tournaments. Like us on the Facebook icon and you can keep up on announcements about the area’s  ABA tournaments and other pertinent information. Go to www.americanbassanglers.com for information about all American Bass Anglers circuits. Call Becky with any questions at 316 644-1454.