The third Qualifying Tournament of Alabama Bass Federation, Inc., 2015 season was at Neely Henry, Gadsden, 18 April, 2015, launching out of Gadsden City Park. Federation Anglers were faced with heavy stained and swift water conditions in like of the recent rains. Tournament day conditions was clear with a chance of afternoon showers.
Following the closing of the scales in the Angler Division, Eric Welborn, of Dekalb Bassmasters emerged as the top finishing tournament Angler with a limit that weighted 15.93. Brian Davenport of Shotgun Sports Supply finished 2nd place with a limit that weighted 14.92. Finishing 3rd with a weight of 14.49 was Robbie Pelt of Alabama Ranger Club followed by Don Cox of Shogun Sports Supply 4th place finisher with 14.24; Scott Mungenast of North Alabama Tournament Angers was 5th with 12.82, Rusty Burroughs of Shotgun Sports Supply was 6th with 12.68 and rounding on the top seventh position of the Angler Division was of Chuck Thurlow of Alabama Ranger club with 11.55.
In the Co-Angler Division Neal Davis, of Pine Level Bassmasters claimed the top Co-Angler position with a limit that weighted 13.97. Tony South of Tennessee Valley Bass Club was 2nd place Co-Angler with 13.78, followed by Jason Blackmon of Coosa River Hookers with 12.01. Terry Quates of Pine Level Bassmasters was 4th with 11.68. Ricky Benton of Pine Level Bassmasters was 5th with 11.37 followed by Terry Pinkard of Morgan County Bass Club with 10.47 and closing out the top seven in the co-Angler Division was Brad Oliver of Dekalb Bassmasters with 10.29.
Nathan Stephen of Pine Level Bassmasters captured the big fish of the tournament with a weight of 6.58.
Total Boat Weight honors of the tournament was won by Brian Davenport of Shotgun Sports Supply and Jason Blackmon of Coosa River Hookers with a weight of 26.93. Eric Welborn of Dekald Bassmasters and Terry Pinkard of Morgan County Bass Club finished 2nd with 26.40. Rusty Burroughs of Shotgun Sports Supply and Terry Quates of Pine Level Bassmasters were 3rd with 24.63 followed by Don Cox of Shotgun Sports Supply and Billy Weatherbee of Tennessee Valley Bass Club with 23.09.
Of the Clubs that participated in the Club Team Competition Pine Level Bassmasters emerged as the winning team with a weight of 55.32. Team members were Ricky Benton, Brian Brannan, Kevin Gibson, Larry Hall, J. D. Perez and Nathan Stephen. Dekalb Bassmasters was second with 53.48; followed by Coosa River Hookers with 48.58; Shotgun Sports Supply with 48.41; Shotgun Sports Supply #2 with 48.33; Alabama Ranger Clun with 44.25 and Locust Fork Bassmasters with 38.43.
Of the Ronald McDonald House Charities Team Chuck Thurlow of Alabama Ranger Club was the top finisher of the team members and will receive a $250.00 bonus provided by Airport Marine.
Paul Brown of Alabama Ranger Club and Herbert Hoff of Pine Level Bassmasters were the top finishers of the tournament participating in the Ranger Cup and will be receiving bonus money from the Ranger Cup program.
Next and final Qualifying Tournament, Lake Eufaula, Eufaula, AL, 2 May 2015. The race for the Angler of Year Standings in Angler and Co-Angler Division is tight.