Andy Lake Wins Div 96 Championship
Phillip Anderson Takes Division AOY

Andy Lake of Batesburg, SC won the American Fishing Tour, presented by American Bass Anglers, South Carolina Division 96 two-day championship tournament, held July 14th & 15th, 2012, on Lake Greenwood.

Running out of Greenwood State Park landing near Ninety-Six, SC Andy Lake caught 5 bass on day one and 3 bass on day two weighing 17.60 pounds with a 4.58 pound kicker for the victory. Andy took home a check for $796.50. Andy’s check was for first place and day one big fish (4.58 pounds) which was a tie with Mark Abbott of Ninety-Six, SC. Andy caught his fish on topwater bait on points and flipping soft plastics around docks on the upper part of the lake.

In second place of these AFT competitors, Sean Anderson of Leesville, SC. Sean caught 3 bass on day one and 4 bass on day two weighing 15.84 pounds with a 3.41 pound kicker. Sean pocketed a check for $420.

In third place, Gene Parker of Asheville, NC caught 4 bass on day one and 3 bass on day two weighing 15.09 pounds with a 3.98 pound kicker.

In fourth place, Phillip Anderson of Saluda, SC. Phillip caught one bass on day one and 5 bass on day two weighing 13.18 pounds. Phillip finished the season competition with 1175 points and clinched the Division 96 Angler of the Year title. He will compete in the annual American Bass Anglers AFT Angler of the Year Final Round Fish Off.

Earl Purcell of Chapin, SC won the big bass contest on day 2 with a 7.64 pound lunker which was the tournament big bass. Earl caught his big fish on a Texas rigged worm off a stump on the lower end of the lake.

These anglers accrued valuable points toward the divisional angler of the year title. The points champion from each division will compete in the annual American Bass Anglers AFT Angler of The Year Final Round Fish-Off. In addition, the top 500 anglers from the various divisions will earn the right to compete in the three-day ABA, AFT National Championship tournament.

The next divisional tournament will be held July 22, 2012 on Lake Wateree out of Clearwater Cove near Camden, SC.

For more information, contact D-96 Director Phil Morris at 864-993-0346; email plmorris109@embarqmail.com or call ABA at (888) 203-6222. On line, see www.americanbassanglers.com.

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.