ABT 100 NEWS

Alabama Bass Trail Named Media Advocate of the Year

**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**

Media Contact: Angela Cross
Social Media and Communications Director – Alabama Bass Trail 
Phone: 1.855.934.7425
Email: angela@alabamabasstrail.org 

July 21, 2026 | 10:00 AM CST

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

JULY 21, 2026

Alabama Bass Trail Named Media Advocate of the Year

DECATUR, AL — The Alabama Bass Trail has been named Alabama’s Media Advocate of the Year, receiving the award at the Alabama Governor’s Conference on Tourism Awards Banquet in Florence, Alabama.

Members of the ABT media team were in attendance to accept the award, presented by the Alabama Tourism Department.

The honor recognizes the team behind the Alabama Bass Trail’s live tournament coverage and television show, which has grown into one of the strongest original fishing broadcasts in the Southeast. Tournament after tournament, the crew turns takeoffs, weigh-ins and championship moments into content that reaches anglers and outdoor fans well beyond the boat ramp, putting Alabama’s lakes and host communities in front of audiences across the country.

That national reach shows up at registration. The 2026 season sold out in under five minutes in both the North and South Divisions, with anglers traveling from 14 states across the U.S. to compete on Alabama’s lakes. The demand is reflected in the popularity of the broadcast and in a program that generates over $118 million in economic impact for the state of Alabama since its inception.

“This award belongs to our entire team and to everyone who has ever shared a post, watched an episode or cheered us on from the bank. We are building something unforgettable tournament after tournament, and we could not do it without our anglers and fans,” said Kay Donaldson, Executive Director of the Alabama Bass Trail.

Sweet Home Alabama noted the significance of the team’s work in its own release, describing the ABT Media Team as a 14-member production group whose live and televised storytelling promotes Alabama’s fishing destinations, outdoor recreation, and host communities as a premier tourism draw.

The recognition adds to a growing season for the Alabama Bass Trail, which continues its Teams Series and ABT 100 Series tournaments alongside its television show and the Alabama Bass Trail podcast, ranked among the top 20 podcasts in Alabama.

The Alabama Bass Trail is one of the premier competitive team bass fishing organizations in the Southeast. Now in its 14th season, the ABT Tournament Series presented by Phoenix Boats has generated more than $118 million in economic impact across Alabama since 2014. The ABT is committed to growing the sport of competitive fishing while showcasing Alabama’s world-class fisheries. For schedules, registration, and more information, visit AlabamaBassTrail.org.

The 2026 Alabama Bass Trail Team Series is made possible through partnerships with industry leading brands: Phoenix Boats, AMFirst, Larry Puckett Chevrolet, 13 Fishing, Rapala, VMC, CRUSHCITY, Buffalo Rock, Academy Sports and Outdoors, Jack’s, Garmin, Thompson Tractor Company, Piranh02, Alabama State Parks, Halo Fishing, Snag Proof, NetBait, Bait Fuel, Alfa Insurance Thomas ALFA MAN Shelton, TH Marine Supplies, Power Pole, Pro Guide Batteries, Yamaha, SCUM FROG, E3 Sports Apparel, FishAlabama.org, Sweet Home Alabama, and Alabama Mountain Lakes.