20 YEAR OLD, KALEB ALLISON, WINS $100,000 GRAND PRIZE AT THE 2022 AFTCO SPRING BIG BASS BASH

Posted by editor on April 26, 2022

WHAT A WEEKEND! The 2022 AFTCO Spring Big Bass Bash, presented by Phoenix Boats, took place at Missouri's Lake of the Ozarks on April 23-24. Anglers from across the country (and Canada) took part in one of the largest amateur Big Bass fishing tournaments in the nation.

Over $325,000 in guaranteed cash & prizes were awarded at this event, including a new Phoenix Bass Boat and a whopping $100,000 grand prize to the angler who weighed in the biggest bass of the tournament.

This event, which takes place each Spring & Fall at Lake of the Ozarks, brings a massive economic boost to the local community during the "off-season" each year. The Big Bass Bash brings family & friends together to enjoy a weekend at the lake and gives the "weekend angler" a chance to cash in on hundreds of thousands of dollars in guaranteed payouts.

One of those anglers, 20-year-old Kaleb Allison from Lincoln, MO, hooked in to a 7.58 lb. giant on Sunday afternoon, and that bass turned into a life changer for the young Missouri man.

Kaleb Allison, who had just bought a 1996 Stratos bass boat just 2 weeks before the event, was fishing the upper area of the lake near the 80-mile marker on Sunday afternoon. Kaleb, fishing alongside his 15-year-old nephew, Patrick, ran in to Turkey Creek to hit a laydown that produced a few smaller bass earlier in the day.

Kaleb threw a KVD Strike King Finesse Spinnerbait (gizzard shad color) passed that laydown and started running it back when she HIT. He fought the big bass and got her close to the boat where Patrick was able to net the big girl & place it in the live well. Kaleb & Patrick raced off to the Ivy Bend Resort weigh-in station, bagged her up and headed up to the Big Bass Bash scales, where she locked in on 7.58 lbs...and the celebration began.
Congratulations to the 2022 AFTCO Spring Big Bass Bash Champion, Kaleb Allison. Enjoy your win and your $101,500 in prize money!

Special thanks to MADD for attending and supporting this event. We encourage their mission, to stop drunk driving on our roads and waterways. Drunk drivers destroy lives and families when they murder a loved one, and they should be prosecuted with maximum prison time! We know first-hand the pain & suffering it causes. When you are taking others on the water, especially after sunset, be extremely observant of your surroundings and other boats, since they may not be. Please don't Drink & Drive!
Marie Terrell...her life taken by a drunk boater, John Dallas Bennett, on July 25, 2020

2nd Place Overall: Brenton Krueger - $20,000
6.80 lbs.

3rd Place Overall: Jim Connell - $10,0006.74 lbs.

4th Place Overall: Chuck Austin - $5,0006.70 lbs.

 1st Place Ladies Division: Jan Eubanks - $1,0005.10 lbs.

Phoenix Boat Winner: James Jones ($47,000 retail value)Special thanks to Phoenix Boats, Sales Rep Greg Wood, and Anglers Port Marine for their help & coordination with the draw boat.

EARLY BIRD WINNERS:
$500 - Andrew Boring: El Paso, IL
$500 - Mike Whitland: Ralston, NE
$500 - Gavin Breweur: Marquette Heights, IL
$500 - Corey Ross: Louisburg, KS
$500 - Alec Ely: Des Moines, IA
$500 - Kevin Dillingham: Wisconsin Rapids, WI
$500 - Michael Queen: Leadwood, MO
$500 - Randy Foster: Rocky Mount, MO
$500 - Ethridge Taylor: Laquey, MO
$500 - Scott Myettinen: Salem, MO
$500 - Tim Mitchell: Wentzville, MO
$500 - Paul Mahacek: Imperial, MO

EXACT WEIGHT WINNERS:
$500 - Garrett Wilkinson: 4.00 lbs.
$500 - Trevor Scheidle: 4.00 lbs.
$500 - Josh Miget: 4.00 lbs.
$500 - Alvis Roberts: 3.00 lbs.
$500 - Ben Martin: 4.00 lbs.|
$500 - Mike Christenson: 4.00 lbs.

Total Paid Out:
Top 4 Overall Payouts: $135,000
Bi-Hourly Payouts: $142,760 (45 places paid each time slot. Payouts below)

We want to thank all of the anglers that participated in the 2022 Spring Big Bass Bash at Lake of the Ozarks, and hope you had a safe & enjoyable time at the lake.

Thank you to our title sponsor, AFTCO, our presenting sponsor, Phoenix Boats, and to all of our other great sponsors, tournament staff, supporters, local businesses, resorts, tackle shops, Tri-County Lodging, State Parks Department, and everyone else that makes this event possible. It takes a small army to host an event like this, and it could not be done without all of you.