ABA final event for 2024 at Delaware Lake

DELAWARE LAKE, OH — The American Bass Anglers (ABA) circuit concluded their 2024 season with a two day tournament at Delaware Lake on August 17 & 18. Barry Davis serves as the Central Division Director for the ABA, a role he has held for 28 years. Davis says the ABA is the second oldest bass tournament series “in the world” with B.A.S.S. being the longest running circuit.

Barry Davis has been the ABA Central Division Director for 28 years. Davis also competed in the event at Delaware Lake.

However, the ABA members vying in the tournament at Delaware over the two days of competition were not contemplating whose tournament longevity was the longest. The only length on their minds was the 12 inch minimum for a keeper bass to hit their livewell.

When the last bass at the Day 2 weigh-in concluded the tournament, Tony Cannon took first place honors with a two day total of 8.74 pounds. Most of Cannon’s weight came on the second day of the competition when he brought a five bass limit to the weigh-in.

Dave Slonaker, III had a limit on day 1, but his first day magic disappeared on day 2 when he landed just one keeper. His overall weight of 7.97 pounds was still good enough for second place by the slimmest of margins over Seth Brandfass who had 7.82 pounds of bass. Seth’s 3.80 pound bass on day 1 was the big bass for the tournament.

Angler of the Year (AOY) for the 2024 ABA season was also determined at Delaware Lake. Rich Carter led the AOY standings going into the Delaware event, but holding onto that lead proved as elusive as a 10 pound bass on two pound test line. Like Tony Cannon, Karl Guegold saved his best performance for last when he brought four keepers to the day 2 weigh-in after having only one fish the day before.

Pictured are the top three anglers in the ABA tournament held at Delaware Lake on August 17 & 18 (L-R) Tony Cannon, 1st place: Dave Slonaker, III, 2nd place; and Seth Brandfass, 3rd place.

With that second day effort, Guegold passed Carter and held off Tony Cannon’s best shot to claim the ABA Central Division Angler of the Year title. While the Ohio ABA season has ended, the anglers at the top of the points race have qualified for the ABA National Championship in November that will be held at South Carolina’s Lake Murray.

“The national championship will have 500 of the top ABA members from across the country competing at Lake Murray,” described Davis. He added that 250 of those anglers will be designated as boaters while 250 will be co-anglers. When the list of Central Division ABA members in the national championship is finalized, it will be posted on this website.

Finally, thank you, Barry and Linda Davis, for allowing me to cover your ABA final event. Thanks are also due to the anglers in this event for tolerating my questions and camera snaps at your tournament. From behind the camera lens, it was extremely evident that the ABA is a first class operation with outstanding tournament anglers filling its ranks. Congratulations to the winners from last weekend and good luck to the ABA guys heading to Lake Murray in November.