3/19/2018

Jerry Kotal Wins on Clarks Hill

Athens, Ala. Jerry Kotal of Elberton, Ga. won the Ram American Fishing Tour, presented by American Bass Anglers, South Carolina Division 96 1-day qualifier held March 18, 2018 on Clarks Hill Lake running out of the Dorn Facility near McCormick, SC.

The day started out at 52 degrees with a light WNW wind. At the 3pm weigh-in it was 70 degrees with a light NW wind. Great weather but the fishing was slow for this one.

There were 42 anglers fishing this Division 96 1-day qualifier tournament out of Dorn Facility near McCormick, SC.

First place, Jerry Kotal had 5 fish weighing 14.54 pounds that was anchored with a 4.27 pound kicker fish. Jerry caught all his fish on spinner baits on the middle and upper parts of the lake. The combined payback for first place and first place option pot earned Jerry $1030 with the first place trophy. Jerry will also win the Triton Gold Money.

Bobby Stanfill was second with 5 fish weighing 13.68 pounds. He caught his fish on a jig in water 15 to 20 feet deep on the lower part of the lake. Bobby took home the second place trophy and $664 for second place, second place option pot.

Roy Stuart took third place with 5 fish weighing 11.59 pounds. He was fishing the lower part of the lake and caught all his fish on plastic lizards. Roy won third place trophy and $238.

Fourth place was George Berry with 5 fish weighing 10.84 pounds. George won a $187 for his fourth place finish.

Fifth place was Tracy Watkins with 5 fish weighing 10.75. Tracy won $151 for fifth place.

Phillip Anderson finished sixth with 5 fish weighing 9.56 pounds. Phillip took home $115 for sixth place.

Rodney Chastain finished seventh with 5 fish weighing 9.10 pounds. Rodney won $72 for seventh place.

Phil Morris had the ALX Rod Big Fish of the tournament weighing 5.83 pounds. Phil took home $210 for big fish.

Top 5 finishers:          

1 – Jerry Kotal - 5 fish 14.54 pounds BF 200 points
2 – Bobby Stanfill – 5 fish 13.68 pounds 199 points
3 – Roy Stuart – 5 fish 111.59 pounds 198 points
4 – George Berry – 5 fish 10.84 pounds 197 points
5 – Tracy Watkins – 5 fish 10.75 pounds 196 points

These anglers are qualifying to compete in the 2018 Ram AFT National Championship on Lake Hartwell in Anderson, SC on October 21-26, 2018.

The next Division 96 tournament for Division 96 will be on Lake Greenwood out of Greenwood State Park near Ninety Six, SC on April 8, 2018.

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.

The 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 American Fishing Tour National Championship.