Championships aren’t always won on the first cast—they’re earned in the final hours, when the pressure tightens and the margin for error disappears.
That’s exactly where the Lake Area Lady Anglers found themselves.
In a dramatic, come-from-behind finish, the Louisiana-based team surged on the final day to capture the title of Affiliated Club Champion at the Women’s Bass Fishing Association’s Affiliated Club Federation (ACC). It was a performance built on patience, precision, and one standout limit that changed everything.
A Final-Day Charge
Heading into the last day, the Lake Area Lady Anglers trailed the Freedom Lady Anglers of Indiana by just ounces. The tournament was wide open—but it would take something special to seal the win.
That something came from Sue Crochet.
Crochet delivered the only five-fish limit of the final day, tipping the scales at 12.17 pounds. That single stringer proved to be the difference-maker, lifting her team to a commanding victory margin of more than five pounds.
When the scales settled, the Lake Area Lady Anglers posted a total team weight of 29.86 pounds, securing the championship in convincing fashion.
Technique That Delivered
Crochet’s winning fish came off an underwater ridge, a classic structure spot that often holds quality bass when worked correctly. Her weapon of choice was a Carolina rig paired with a green pumpkin plastic lizard—a proven combination that continues to produce when conditions demand a slower, methodical presentation.
It wasn’t flashy. It was effective.
And in tournament fishing, that’s what matters.
Strong Showing by the Field
The Freedom Lady Anglers of Indiana put up a fight to the very end, anchored by Sue Parrish, who brought in three fish totaling more than 10 pounds.
Parrish’s catch included the lunker of the day—a 4.31-pound smallmouth bass—which earned her a $360 check. Her two-day total of 14.30 pounds also secured her a berth in the Classic World Championship of women’s bass fishing.
Meanwhile, Lynda Gesser, representing Missouri’s Gateway Bass ’N Gals, claimed the Kick’N Bass boater bonus with a 4.52-pound smallmouth caught on Thursday—good for an additional $100.
On the non-boater side, Jan Cornett of the Indiana Bass ’N Gals earned her own $100 Kick’N Bass bonus with a 3.18-pound bass.
A Competitive Field
Nine teams from seven states qualified to compete in the ACC, showcasing the growing depth and talent in women’s tournament bass fishing.
The event was hosted by the Inn By The Lake on the Kentucky/Barkley Lakes system, providing a fitting backdrop for a weeklong championship that tested both skill and endurance.
Tournament Director Willie Cook praised the venue, noting the exceptional hospitality provided by Debbie Criswell and Mike Wells.
“The service and hospitality offered to the women anglers has been exceptional. I would recommend this establishment to any tournament trail looking to come to Kentucky/Barkley Lakes. The amenities filled most all of our needs, and we have had a wonderful time.”
Looking Ahead
The WBFA Tour will return to the Inn By The Lake in late October for its regular-season qualifying event on Kentucky/Barkley Lakes.
The fall “Harvest Moon” tournament is open to both boaters and non-boaters, with non-boaters drawing a different pro each day—an excellent format for gaining experience and sharpening skills against a variety of anglers.
For entry information, anglers can visit the WBFA Tour website or call their national office.
Final Cast
Tournament fishing has a way of revealing character.
It rewards those who stay steady when others rush, those who trust their instincts when the clock is ticking. The Lake Area Lady Anglers didn’t just win this championship—they earned it the old-fashioned way, one cast at a time, when it mattered most.
And in the end, it wasn’t the early lead that defined the story.
It was the finish.
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