Kevin Fulmer Dominates Lake Murray AFT Tournament
Kevin Fulmer of Prosperity, SC won the Ram American Fishing Tour, presented by American Bass Anglers, South Carolina Division 96 1-day qualifier held August 20, 2017 on Lake Murray. There were 35 anglers fishing this Division 96 1-day qualifier tournament out of the Larry Koon Landing on Shull Island Road near Lexington, SC.
The day started out at 78 degrees and was at 95 degrees by the 3 pm weigh-in. Partly Cloudy skies with the wind out of the SW at 5 to 10 mph with high humidity. Lake Murray was 2 feet below full pool with surface temp in the mid to high 80s.
First place, Kevin Fulmer of Prosperity, SC had 5 fish weighing 19.50 pounds and had the ALX Rod Big Fish at 5.13 pounds. His sack of 19.5 pounds is also leading the Level Performance Rods Big Sack for the season. Kevin blew this one away with 6 plus pounds over second place. He fished the middle and lower parts of the lake. His fish were caught on a top water bait, fluke and a spoon. He fished a run and gun approach from place to place burning 28 gallons of gas during the day. The combined payback for first place, ALX big fish and first place option gave Kevin $1110 in take home money.
Phillip Anderson of Saluda, SC was second with 5 fish weighing 13 pounds. He fished the mid lake area. His fish came on a buzz bait early and then a shaky head in about 12 feet of water. Phillip won $601 for second place and second place option.
Third place was Rhett Manus of Gilbert, SC with 5 fish weighing 12.87 pounds. Rhett took home $195 for third place.
In fourth place was George Berry of Saluda, SC with 4 fish weighing 11.44 pounds and a $144 payback.
Fifth place was Steve Wicker of Pomaria, SC with 5 fish at 11.14 pounds and took home $108.
In sixth place was Roger Farr of Lexington, SC. Roger weighed in 5 fish at 10.54 pounds and took home $72.
Fishing was tough as indicated by only having 5 limits brought to the scales. There were only 18 anglers who brought at least one fish to the scales and we recorded a record 10 dead fish at the scales. The weather was completely different from last week when the Forrest Wood Cup was fished on Murray and so many big bags were caught. The humid conditions and no real cloud cover made it tough for our anglers. Most productive lures for this one was top water baits, crankbaits, drop shot rigs, shaky heads and spoons.
These anglers are qualifying to compete in the 2018 Ram AFT National Championship on a date and lake to be announced at the 2017 Ram National Championship being held on the Ouachita River, Monroe La. in October 2017.The next Division 96 tournament for Division 96 will be on Lake Greenwood out of Greenwood State Park on September 17, 2017.
For more information, contact D-96 Director Phil Morris at 864-993-0346; email plmorrisd96@gmail.com or call ABA at (256) 232-0406. On-line, see www.americanbassanglers.com or www.aba-sc.com for complete results. Also check out our facebook page at D-96 American Fishing Tour.
These anglers are earning valuable points toward the divisional angler of the year title. The points champion from each division will compete in the annual Ram American Bass Anglers AFT Angler of the Year Final Round at the Ram American Fishing Tour National Championship.
The Ram American Fishing Tour offers low cost, close to home bass tournaments that are designed for the weekend angler. All ABA anglers fish for money and points. The points advance the angler to their divisional championship and the top 500 anglers in the US are invited to the Ram American Fishing Tour National Championship. For more information on American Bass Anglers please visit www.americanbassanglers.com or call (256)232-0406.
American Bass Anglers, Inc. is supported by Ram Trucks, Triton Boats, Mercury Outboards, Carlisle Tires, GEICO, Berkley, Abu Garcia, T-H Marine, Livingston Lures, Best Western Hotels, Maui Jim, Power Pole, LiT Coolers, Simms, Garmin, Divide-It, and SiriusXM Marine Weather. American Bass Anglers, Inc. can be contacted at (256) 232-0406 or by visiting americanbassanglers.com