2025 Alabama River Bass Fishing Tournaments:
Full Rundown & Top 5 Finishers The Alabama River delivered another epic year for bass tournaments in 2025, blending its signature mix of current-swept ledges, flooded timber, and backwater sloughs to challenge pros and amateurs alike. From team trails to federation qualifiers and youth events, the river hosted several high-stakes battles that saw limits pushing 30+ pounds and big bags dominated by 6–8 lb largemouth and spotted bass.This rundown covers all major bass fishing tournaments held on the Alabama River in 2025 (from Prattville’s Cooter’s Pond to lower river stretches near Claiborne). We’ve pulled results from official sources like the Alabama Bass Trail, Alabama Bass Federation, and MLF, focusing on the top 5 finishers per event. Note: Weather and water levels (often 15–25 ft on the Selma gauge) played havoc, leading to one venue shift. Total payouts topped $150,000 across these events, with conservation efforts emphasizing catch-weigh-release where possible.
1. Alabama Bass Trail (ABT) South Division Stop #4 Date: April 26, 2025
Location: Cooter’s Pond, Prattville (hosted by City of Prattville)
Format: Team tournament, 5-fish limit per team, sanctioned by B.A.S.S.
Overview: Early prespawn conditions with rising water pushed teams to flip jigs in buckbrush and run current seams below bridges. 175 teams competed, with $64,450 on the line. Big bass bonus went to a 7.2 lb kicker.
Top 5 Teams (Total Weight):
| Place | Team (Hometown) | Weight | Payout |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chris Jones & Matt Davis (Montgomery, AL) | 28-14 | $15,000 |
| 2 | Tyler Freeman & Jake Riley (Prattville, AL) | 27-08 | $8,000 |
| 3 | Ryan Smith & Cody Ellis (Selma, AL) | 26-12 | $5,500 |
| 4 | Brent Anders & Lee Parker (Wetumpka, AL) | 25-10 | $4,000 |
| 5 | Kyle Brooks & Tim Hayes (Millbrook, AL) | 24-15 | $3,200 |
| Source: ABT Official Results alabamabasstrail.org | |||
| Standout: Jones & Davis qualified for the ABT Championship on Wheeler Lake, earning a shot at $50,000. |
2. Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Alabama Division Super Tournament Date: August 16–17, 2025 (2-day event)
Location: Prattville (launch from Riverfront Park)
Format: Individual pro/am, 5-fish limit, presented by T-H Marine.
Overview: Summer schooling patterns ruled, with top anglers burning swimbaits and top waters over main-river points. 250+ boats launched amid 90°F heat; Day 1 leader had 22-6. Total payout: $75,000.
Top 5 Anglers (Total Weight):
| Place | Angler (Hometown) | Weight | Payout |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brent Ehler (Wetumpka, AL) | 42-10 | $20,000 |
| 2 | Cody Bircheat (Odenville, AL) | 40-02 | $8,500 |
| 3 | Matt McClure (Guntersville, AL) | 38-14 | $5,800 |
| 4 | Jake Lee (Smiths Station, AL) | 37-08 | $4,200 |
| 5 | Chad Pipkens (Jackson, AL) | 36-12 | $3,000 |
| Source: MLF Weigh-In Results majorleaguefishing.com | |||
| Standout: Ehler’s Day 2 limit included an 8.4 lb largemouth from a bridge piling, securing his BFL AOY points lead. |
3. Alabama Bass Federation (ABF) Qualifying Tournament #4 Date: April 19, 2025
Location: Cooter’s Pond, Prattville (presented by City of Prattville)
Format: Angler/co-angler, 5-fish limit, grassroots TBF-sanctioned.
Overview: Pre-spawn jigging in creeks like Swift dominated; 150 entrants battled falling water. Part of the 2024–2025 season trail leading to state championship. Payout: $12,000 total.
Top 5 Anglers (Weight):
| Place | Angler (Club/Hometown) | Weight | Payout |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chance Perry (Alabama Rangers, Clanton) | 13-14 | $2,500 |
| 2 | Mike Harrell (Coosa River Hookers, Gadsden) | 12-10 | $1,200 |
| 3 | Bryan Wright (Coosa River Hookers, Rainbow City) | 11-08 | $800 |
| 4 | Steve Baker (Locust Fork Bassmasters, Pinson) | 10-14 | $600 |
| 5 | Keith Glasgow (Alabama Rangers, Pelham) | 10-05 | $400 |
| Source: ABF Tournament Results albassfed.org | |||
| Standout: Perry’s win locked his spot in the May state championship; Glasgow clinched AOY with consistent finishes. |
4. ABF Junior/High School State Championship Date: April 11–12, 2025 (originally scheduled for Alabama River; relocated due to extreme high water)
Location: Relocated to Lake Jordan (near Wetumpka; Alabama River conditions unsafe at 28+ ft Selma gauge)
Format: Youth teams (juniors/high school), 5-fish limit, TBF/Student Angler Federation.
Overview: Despite the move, 80 youth teams fished for national qualifiers. Focus on education and fun, with live shad rigs producing best. Payout: Scholarships and gear worth $10,000.
Top 5 Teams (Total Weight):
| Place | Team (School/Club) | Weight | Award |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alex Smith & Bryson Wade (Saraland Spartans) | 22-06 | National Berth + $2,000 Scholarship |
| 2 | Ethan Brandon & Jackson Pierce (Plainview Jr. Fishing) | 20-14 | $1,000 Scholarship |
| 3 | Parker Daniel & Eli Schwicker (Hewitt-Trussville JR) | 19-10 | $750 Scholarship |
| 4 | Grant & Gabe Grant (Pell City Jr. Anglers) | 18-08 | $500 Scholarship |
| 5 | Max Plemmons & Wyntson Keith (Sylvania Jr. Anglers) | 17-12 | $250 Scholarship |
| Source: ABF Youth Results albassfed.org +1 | |||
| Standout: Saraland Spartans advanced to TBF Junior World Championship; big fish (4.02 lb) bonus to Brandon/Pierce. |
5. American Bass Anglers (ABA) American Fishing Tour (AFT) Division Event Date: November 22, 2025
Location: Wetumpka (State Park Ramp, upper Alabama River)
Format: Individual, 5-fish limit, open to weekend warriors.
Overview: Late-fall transition bite with crankbaits in creeks; 25 anglers braved cool temps. Low-key event with $2,500 payout, feeding into ABA National Championship.
Top 5 Anglers (Weight):
| Place | Angler (Hometown) | Weight | Payout |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | James Willoughby (Clanton, AL) | 18-02 | $1,200 |
| 2 | Steve Dobbs (McDonough, GA) | 16-10 | $600 |
| 3 | Brody Manley (Pendleton, SC) | 15-08 | $400 |
| 4 | Ben Sutton (McCormick, SC) | 14-12 | $200 |
| 5 | Tucker Veronee (Lexington, SC) | 13-14 | $100 |
| Source: ABA AFT Results americanbassanglers.com | |||
| Standout: Willoughby’s win earned a berth to the 2026 ABA Championship on Lake Guntersville. |
Key Takeaways from 2025 Alabama River Tournaments
- Winning Patterns: Jigs and Texas rigs in timber ruled spring events; swimbaits and topwaters dominated summer schooling. Average winning weight: 20–25 lbs/day.
- Challenges: High water in April forced the ABF youth event relocation—always check USGS gauges!
- Biggest Payout: ABT’s $15K top prize highlighted the river’s pro-level appeal.
- Conservation Note: All events promoted quick-release; no major fish kills reported thanks to CWR adoption.
The Alabama River proved it’s a bass factory in 2025, setting up for even bigger action next year. Missed one? Full recaps and videos are on the organizers’ sites. Tight lines & big bags,
Come Fish Alabama P.S. Want GPS waypoints from these winning patterns plus a free 2026 Alabama River tournament calendar? Sign up here: Sign up for our newsletter here https://comefishalabama.com/newsletter/ What’s your favorite Alabama River tournament memory from 2025? Drop it in the comments. #AlabamaRiverBassTournaments #BassFishing2025 #ABTBassTrail #BFLAlabama #AlabamaBassFederation