$50,000 on the hook at Wheeler Lake for winning team in Alabama Bass Trail Team Series Championship

DECATUR — The Alabama Bass Trail Team Series Championship, presented by Phoenix Boats, will award $50,000 to the winning team at its highly anticipated no entry fee event
this weekend on Wheeler Lake.

This two-day competition (Friday and Saturday) serves as the finale of the Alabama Bass Trail regular team series season, featuring a total prize pool of $100,000.

Wheeler Lake, home lake of the Alabama Bass Trail, is hosting the championship for just the second time since the tournament trail’s inception.

The event returns to Wheeler Lake a decade after the 2015 Championship, where a record was set for the heaviest winning weight of 41.41 pounds in an ABT Championship event — a record that still stands.

The ABT North and South Divisions Championship roster includes 170 teams, featuring the top five couples and top five student teams from this season. These highly competitive amateur anglers, representing 10 states will compete for the title of 2025 Alabama Bass Trail Champions.

“This is a championship that has been ten years in the making,” said Kay Donaldson,
program director for the Alabama Bass Trail. “I am excited to host 340 anglers in what promises to be an exceptional showcase of competitive fishing.”

Competitors will have the opportunity to secure additional contingency and bonus prizes from major sponsors including Phoenix Boats, AMFirst, Garmin, TH Marine, Power-Pole, Pro-Guide Batteries, Yamaha, and Halo Fishing.

The Alabama Bass Trail, a key initiative of the Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association, has earned recognition for its significant contributions to the state’s tourism industry. Decatur Morgan County Tourism named it the 2024 Event of the Year, highlighting its impact and popularity.

Since its inception, the Alabama Bass Trail has generated over $120 million in tourism revenue for Alabama, establishing itself as a premier fishing destination.

Live coverage will air on both days of competition: 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., with live weigh-ins scheduled for 3 p.m. Viewers can tune in via YouTube at Alabama Bass Trail TV, the Alabama Bass Trail Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/AlabamaBassTrail, or by visiting www.alabamabasstrail.org.