Tabernacle Takes First in ACAA Bass Fishing Tournament

May 4, 2024

By Jackson Hillis

Clanton, Ala. – The Alabama Christian Athletic Association (ACAA) held its 5th annual Invitational Bass Fishing tournament on the waters of Lake Mitchell this past Friday. The association hosted teams from across the ACAA for the one-day event. Though faced with skilled competition, Tabernacle put up an impressive performance to claim the first-place spot. The Torches, who placed 2nd in the previous year’s tournament, also brought in an array of individual accolades.

Tabernacle earned first place in the event with 20 pounds exactly. The second and third place marks were earned by the young fishermen of First Assembly Christian and Glen Iris Baptist respectively.

Senior anglers Josiah Jones and Troy Box were led by Boat Captain Allen Branham. Jones and Box, perennial participants in the annual competition, reeled in the largest Spotted Bass of the outing at a stout 3 pounds and 11 ounces. Though the team incurred a 4-ounce penalty for weighing a dead fish, they were still able to secure the mark. In addition to this, Jones and Box beat out Jonah and Jordan Amason of First Assembly Christian School by just one ounce to claim the 2nd place spot in individual weight, with 10 pounds and 4 ounces.

Tabernacle Bass Fishing Team | Gene Paul Branham (Boat Captain), Austin Batson, Troy Box, Josiah Jones, Seth Batson, Landon Ervin, Tucker Andrews, Allen Branham (Boat Captain) & Zach Ervin (Boat Captain)

However, Jones and Box weren’t the only Torches to post a strong performance on the day. Tabernacle’s Austin Batson and Tucker Andrews also played a large part in the Torches’ performance. Both first time participants, the duo took home 4th place overall in individual weight, with a total of 9 pounds and 12 ounces. The sophomore fishermen, under Captain Gene Paul Branham, also hooked the heaviest Largemouth Bass of the day, weighing in at 3 pounds and 9 ounces.

Boat Captain Zach Ervin led Tabernacle freshman Landn Ervin and 8th grader Seth Batson, making up the Torches’ 3rd and final team of the event, and contributing to a dominant day on the water for the Torches. Tabernacle will look to continue on their string of strong performances into next year’s tournament.