Leary Dominates in 2019 BFL on Guntersville
In 2019, Leary brought his A-game to the BFL tournament held on Lake Guntersville. Fishing through challenging conditions, he turned to flipping and frogging, two of his most trusted techniques for bass fishing on this iconic lake. His patience paid off as he emerged victorious, securing first place in the tournament. This win was a big boost to his career and a testament to his dedication to mastering the waters of Guntersville.
This tournament marked a defining moment for Leary, showcasing his skill, knowledge of the lake, and commitment to competitive fishing. With the trophy in hand, his focus remained clear: continue mastering the craft and pushing towards even more triumphs in future competitions.
Steve Hatfield and Jim Leary’s First ABT 100 Win at Lake Eufaula
In an unforgettable achievement, Steve Hatfield and Jim Leary secured their first-ever win in the ABT 100 on Lake Eufaula, with a remarkable catch of 25.25 pounds that earned them $25,000. This victory was especially significant as it marked their first time ever fishing on Lake Eufaula, a completely new challenge for the experienced anglers.
Hatfield and Leary relied on brush piles for their strategy, as the absence of vegetation on the lake presented a unique challenge. Their success on unfamiliar waters demonstrated their adaptability and mastery of bass fishing, as they clinched the win on their debut at Eufaula.
More importantly, their victory propelled them to first place in the points standings going into the final tournament of the season on Lake Guntersville. This placement kept them in contention for the championship as they prepared for the showdown on one of their home lakes, showcasing their consistent performance throughout the season.
Back-to-Back Victory: Hatfield and Leary Dominate ABT 100 at Lake Guntersville
In a stunning turn of events, anglers Hatfield and Leary clinched back-to-back victories in the Alabama Bass Trail (ABT) 100 series, first at Lake Guntersville and then at Lake Eufaula in 2021. Their first triumph at Guntersville was particularly notable, with the team weighing in a massive 27.35 lbs of bass, putting them firmly at the top of the leaderboard.
The ABT 100 series has become one of the most prestigious tournaments in the region, and Guntersville, known for its world-class bass fishing, provided the perfect venue for these skilled anglers. Hatfield and Leary’s win at Guntersville showcased their deep knowledge of the lake’s ecosystem and their ability to adapt to shifting weather and water conditions. In fact, the duo’s strategy focused on key seasonal patterns that many local anglers have come to rely on during this time of year.
Throughout the tournament, Hatfield and Leary’s approach was focused on the shallow and deep structure of the lake, where they targeted fish that were staging to spawn. This method proved incredibly effective, as they landed the largest bag of the tournament. Their victory not only secured them a spot in the history books but also highlighted their expert-level understanding of Guntersville’s bass fishing dynamics.
Their victory at Guntersville was followed by another strong performance at Lake Eufaula, where they weighed in an impressive 25.25 lbs, claiming yet another win in the 2021 season. Both wins were a testament to their fishing expertise and teamwork, as they continued to build on their reputation as one of the top bass fishing teams in the region.
Hatfield and Leary’s dominance in these tournaments proves that consistency, preparation, and knowledge of local lakes can make all the difference in competitive bass fishing. Their hard work and determination have earned them well-deserved recognition, and they continue to inspire other anglers on and off the water.
For more details about the ABT 100 tournament at Lake Guntersville and Hatfield and Leary’s incredible back-to-back victories, check out their feature on Bass Angler Magazine.
Image from the Tournament
Tournament Wins
- • ABT 100 Lake Guntersville: 27.35 lbs (2021)
- • ABT 100 Lake Eufaula: 25.25 lbs (2021)
- • ABA Open Series Lake Guntersville: 19.44 lbs (2021)
- • USA Bassin Lake Guntersville: 20.08 lbs (2021)
- • FLW BFL Choo Choo Super Tournament: 37.12 lbs (2 days) (2019)
- • MLF BFL Buckeye Super Tournament: 29.12 lbs (2 days) (2022)
- • ABA RAM Team Plus: 31.15 lbs (only 30+ lb bag weighed in 2016)
- • Black Friday Tournament: 24.62 lbs (2014 & 2018)
- • Jakked Baits: 2017 & 2018
- • Cooks Pest Control: 2013 & 2014
- • Aggie Big Bass Classic: 28 lbs (2014)
- • American Heart Association: 2013
- • Depot Days Guntersville: 2013
- • Honeycomb Guntersville: 2013 & 2016 (x2)
- • Sylvania Football Fundraiser: 25.66 lbs (2018)
- • Goosepond Bass Tournament: 15.66 lbs (3 fish) (2019)
- • Guntersville Open: 21.62 lbs (2019)
Top Tournament Finishes
- • 2nd Food Land 2023 (13.99lbs, 3 fish limit)
- • 2nd New Years Day 2023
- • 2nd Black Friday 2022
- • 2nd BFL Guntersville (25.02lbs)
- • 2nd BFL Pickwick (19.15lbs)
- • 2nd Capt. D’s Castin’ n Catchin’ (2021)
- • 2nd 2013 Heartland Guntersville
- • 2nd Honeycomb Guntersville
- • 2nd Walgreens Relay 4 Life 2014
- • 2nd Goosepond Wildcat 2017
- • 2nd Sylvania Fishing Team Tournament 2018 (19.62lbs)
- • 2nd Sylvania Fishing Team Tournament 2021 (20.90lbs)
- • 2nd New Years Eve 2019 (18.50lbs)
- • 2nd Team Bass Xtreme Delaware 2021
- • 3rd Rat L Trap Open Guntersville 2018 (24.62lbs)
- • 3rd ABA Open Series Guntersville 2018
- • 3rd FLW BFL Lake Guntersville
- • 3rd ABA Team Plus Guntersville 2017
- • 3rd Open Spring Creek 2016
- • 3rd Aggie Big Bass Classic 2015
- • 3rd Guntersville Civitan 2015
- • 3rd Black Friday 2015
- • 3rd Michael Scott Learning 2014
- • 3rd 2013 XTreme Bass Guntersville 2013
- • 3rd 2013 High School Fundraiser
- • 3rd Team Bass Xtreme Delaware 2021
- • 3rd Team Bass Xtreme Lake Erie 2021
- • 4th New Years Day 2016
- • 4th Fishin’ With a Mission 2014
- • 4th 2013 Top Rod Solo Guntersville
- • 4th 2013 Desperation Church
- • 4th Desperation Church 2014
- • 4th Freedom Marine Open 2018 (21.09lbs)
- • 4th Freedom Marine Open 2021 (20.90lbs)
- • 4th Capt. D’s Castin’ N Catchin’ (19.13lbs)
- • 5th Capt. D’s Castin’ N Catchin’ (2023)
- • 5th FLW BFL Choo Choo 2014
- • 5th FLW BFL Bama 2017
- • 5th Black Friday 2017
- • 5th ABA Top 150 Chickamauga 2021
Top 10’s
- • 6th Guntersville Civitan 21.56lbs
- • 6th ABA Championship 2019
- • 7th 2013 Guntersville Civitan
- • 8th 2011 FLW National Guard Soldier Tournament Kentucky Lake
- • 9th 2020 FLW BFL Choo Choo
- • 10th 2020 FLW BFL Volunteer
- • 10th ABT 100 2021 Lay Lake
Top 20’s
- • 12th FLW BFL Choo Choo (2015)
- • 12th Alabama Bass Trail 2015
- • 12th Foodland’s hosted by Chris Lane 15.88lbs (3 bass limit)
- • 12 ABA Top 150 Solo 2021
- • 14th 2014 FLW Rayovac (FLW Series)
- • 16th 2013 FLW Choo Choo
- • 16th FLW BFL Choo Choo 2018
- • 18th FLW BFL Super Tournament 2017
- • 20th FLW BFL Super Tournament 2016
- • 20th FLW BFL Choo Choo 2018
Which guide has won major tournaments?
Captain Jim Leary has achieved multiple major tournament wins…
What other tournaments has Capt. Jim Leary won?
In addition to his Alabama Bass Trail success, Capt. Jim Leary has won Major League Fishing BFL events on Lake Guntersville and Mosquito Lake in Ohio.
Has Capt. Jim Leary ever won a boat?
Yes, in 2016, Capt. Jim Leary won a boat in the American Bass Anglers Team Series.
Where can I view Capt. Jim Leary’s tournament finishes?
You can view Capt. Jim Leary’s full tournament results on our website. Visit the tournament results page here: Tournament Results.
Which Guntersville guide has won the largest tournaments on Guntersville?
Capt. Jim Leary has won several of the largest tournaments on Lake Guntersville, including victories in the Alabama Bass Trail 100 and Major League Fishing BFL events.
Tournament Wins
- • ABT 100 Lake Guntersville: 27.35 lbs (2021)
- • ABT 100 Lake Eufaula: 25.25 lbs (2021)
- • ABA Open Series Lake Guntersville: 19.44 lbs (2021)
- • USA Bassin Lake Guntersville: 20.08 lbs (2021)
- • FLW BFL Choo Choo Super Tournament: 37.12 lbs (2 days) (2019)
- • MLF BFL Buckeye Super Tournament: 29.12 lbs (2 days) (2022)
- • ABA RAM Team Plus: 31.15 lbs (only 30+ lb bag weighed in 2016)
- • Black Friday Tournament: 24.62 lbs (2014 & 2018)
- • Jakked Baits: 2017 & 2018
- • Cooks Pest Control: 2013 & 2014
- • Aggie Big Bass Classic: 28 lbs (2014)
- • American Heart Association: 2013
- • Depot Days Guntersville: 2013
- • Honeycomb Guntersville: 2013 & 2016 (x2)
- • Sylvania Football Fundraiser: 25.66 lbs (2018)
- • Goosepond Bass Tournament: 15.66 lbs (3 fish) (2019)
- • Guntersville Open: 21.62 lbs (2019)
Top Tournament Finishes
- • 2nd Food Land 2023 (13.99lbs, 3 fish limit)
- • 2nd New Years Day 2023
- • 2nd Black Friday 2022
- • 2nd BFL Guntersville (25.02lbs)
- • 2nd BFL Pickwick (19.15lbs)
- • 2nd Capt. D’s Castin’ n Catchin’ (2021)
- • 2nd 2013 Heartland Guntersville
- • 2nd Honeycomb Guntersville
- • 2nd Walgreens Relay 4 Life 2014
- • 2nd Goosepond Wildcat 2017
- • 2nd Sylvania Fishing Team Tournament 2018 (19.62lbs)
- • 2nd Sylvania Fishing Team Tournament 2021 (20.90lbs)
- • 2nd New Years Eve 2019 (18.50lbs)
- • 2nd Team Bass Xtreme Delaware 2021
- • 3rd Rat L Trap Open Guntersville 2018 (24.62lbs)
- • 3rd ABA Open Series Guntersville 2018
- • 3rd FLW BFL Lake Guntersville
- • 3rd ABA Team Plus Guntersville 2017
- • 3rd Open Spring Creek 2016
- • 3rd Aggie Big Bass Classic 2015
- • 3rd Guntersville Civitan 2015
- • 3rd Black Friday 2015
- • 3rd Michael Scott Learning 2014
- • 3rd 2013 XTreme Bass Guntersville 2013
- • 3rd 2013 High School Fundraiser
- • 3rd Team Bass Xtreme Delaware 2021
- • 3rd Team Bass Xtreme Lake Erie 2021
- • 4th New Years Day 2016
- • 4th Fishin’ With a Mission 2014
- • 4th 2013 Top Rod Solo Guntersville
- • 4th 2013 Desperation Church
- • 4th Desperation Church 2014
- • 4th Freedom Marine Open 2018 (21.09lbs)
- • 4th Freedom Marine Open 2021 (20.90lbs)
- • 4th Capt. D’s Castin’ N Catchin’ (19.13lbs)
- • 5th Capt. D’s Castin’ N Catchin’ (2023)
- • 5th FLW BFL Choo Choo 2014
- • 5th FLW BFL Bama 2017
- • 5th Black Friday 2017
- • 5th ABA Top 150 Chickamauga 2021
Top 10’s
- • 6th Guntersville Civitan 21.56lbs
- • 6th ABA Championship 2019
- • 7th 2013 Guntersville Civitan
- • 8th 2011 FLW National Guard Soldier Tournament Kentucky Lake
- • 9th 2020 FLW BFL Choo Choo
- • 10th 2020 FLW BFL Volunteer
- • 10th ABT 100 2021 Lay Lake
Top 20’s
- • 12th FLW BFL Choo Choo (2015)
- • 12th Alabama Bass Trail 2015
- • 12th Foodland’s hosted by Chris Lane 15.88lbs (3 bass limit)
- • 12 ABA Top 150 Solo 2021
- • 14th 2014 FLW Rayovac (FLW Series)
- • 16th 2013 FLW Choo Choo
- • 16th FLW BFL Choo Choo 2018
- • 18th FLW BFL Super Tournament 2017
- • 20th FLW BFL Super Tournament 2016
- • 20th FLW BFL Choo Choo 2018
Which guide has won major tournaments?
Captain Jim Leary has achieved multiple major tournament wins…
What other tournaments has Capt. Jim Leary won?
In addition to his Alabama Bass Trail success, Capt. Jim Leary has won Major League Fishing BFL events on Lake Guntersville and Mosquito Lake in Ohio.
Has Capt. Jim Leary ever won a boat?
Yes, in 2016, Capt. Jim Leary won a boat in the American Bass Anglers Team Series.
Where can I view Capt. Jim Leary’s tournament finishes?
You can view Capt. Jim Leary’s full tournament results on our website. Visit the tournament results page here: Tournament Results.
Which Guntersville guide has won the largest tournaments on Guntersville?
Capt. Jim Leary has won several of the largest tournaments on Lake Guntersville, including victories in the Alabama Bass Trail 100 and Major League Fishing BFL events.
