Justin Raines Wins on Lake Hartwell
February 9, 2020, Hartwell, GA., Justin Raines from Easley, SC., wins the Bass Pro Shops Fishing Tour Division 25 tournament sponsored by American Bass Anglers.
Twenty-three anglers launched from the Gum Branch Facility near Hartwell, GA.
The weather started out with a blanket of fog after the previous day of snow.
Temperatures were in the low 40’s and a cool northeast wind for most of the day. It warmed to the lower 50’s by the 3:30 p.m. weigh in time.
Water temps were in the low 50’s and stained due to several inches of rain that the area had during the week.
Five of those anglers brought back five-fish limits to the scales, but when the scales closed it was Justin Raines from Easley, SC., who took the victory with 11.09 lbs.
For the win Justin took home $579.00 in prize money plus an additional $108.00 for 1st Place Option Pot for earnings of $687.00.
Second amongst the competitors was Mike Beck of Hull, GA., with five fish that locked in the scales at 9.89 lbs.
For his efforts he took home $379.00.
Third place was claimed by Luke McGuffin of Iva, SC., with three fish and a total weight of 8.60 lbs.
For his efforts he took home $115.00.
Fourth place was William Deese of Walhalla, SC., with a five fish limit weighing in at 8.35 lbs.
For his fourth place finish he took home $86.00 + $72.00 for 2nd Place in the Option Pot for total earnings of $158.00.
The Biggest Bass of the tournament was caught by Justin Raines of Easley, SC. His fish locked in the scales at 4.35 lbs. earning him $100.00 in prize money.
Top ten finishers:
1. Justin Raines 11.09
2. Mike Beck 9.89
3. Luke McGuffin 8.60
4. William Deese 8.35
5. Stephen Hayes 7.76
6. Tony Holliday 7.14
7. Wayne Davenport 6.15
8. Greg Tarbuck 4.33
9. Jerry Perry 3.90
10. Bryan Waddell 3.82The next tournament in this division will take place on March 8th, 2020 launching from the Hwy 72 ramp on Lake Russell.
For more information on this event or division please contact local director Grover Jones at (252) 217-2893 or visit www.americanbassanglers.com (AFT Trail).
These anglers earn valuable points toward the divisional Angler of the Year (AOY) title.
The points champion from each division will compete in the annual American Bass Anglers (ABA)
Bass Pro Shops Fishing Tour (BPSFT) Angler of The Year (AOY) Final Round at the BPSFT National Championship.
In addition, the top 500 anglers from the various divisions will earn the right to compete in the three-day ABA, BPSFT National Championship tournament.
The Bass Pro Shops Fishing Tour offers low cost, close to home bass tournaments that are designed for the weekend angler.
All anglers fish for both money and points. The points advance the angler to their divisional championship and the top 500 anglers in the U.S. are invited to the Bass Pro Shops Fishing Tour (BPSFT) National Championship.
American Bass Anglers is sponsored by: Bass Pro Shops, Triton Boats, Mercury Marine, Nitro Boats, Tracker Boats, MotorGuide, Garmin, T-H Marine, Abu Garcia, Berkley, Engel Coolers, Lucas Oil, Optima Batteries, Maui Jim, Monster Energy, and Power-Pole.
Mailing address: American Bass Anglers, Inc, PO Box 475, Athens, AL 35612 PH (256) 232-0406.