Team Blalock Wins South Carolina Division Finale
ELBERTON, Ga. – Mike and Deanna Blalock won the South Carolina Division 11 season finale of the American Bass Anglers American Couples Series, Presented by Caymas Boats, held May 21, 2022, on Lake Russell on the South Carolina-Georgia line.
The Blalocks weighed a 5-bass tournament limit for 10.84 pounds. They collected $825 for the win.
In second by 1.6 ounces, Ben and Ashley Sutton brought in their 5-bass limit to drop the scales to 10.74 pounds. They pocketed $412 for second place. The pair also earned the Division Anglers of the Year title for annual bragging rights.
Just behind in third place, Gene and Bertie Wiggins landed five keepers at 10.62 pounds. They earned $248 for third place. Bertie landed the biggest bass caught by a woman angler at 2.58 pounds. That put another $110 in her pocket. Gene caught the tournament lunker, a 4.75-pounder that gave him an extra $110 for a total winnings at $468.
Bryan and Sharon Waddell finished fourth with five bass going 9.52 pounds. They went home with a check for $165.
John and Susan Mills finished fifth, but earned a $100 bonus from G-Line as the highest finishing couple using a G-Line battery to power their trolling motor. John and Susan came into the final event with the lead for Division Anglers of the Year competition.
David and Candace Lanier brought in the lightest 5-bass limit at 5.33 pounds. However, they earned a $50 from Berkeley for that distinction.
The tournament ran out of Richard B. Russell State Park in Elberton, Ga. The reservoir covers 26,650 acres along the Savannah River, straddling the South Carolina-Georgia line.
“Another season is in the books and we’re already looking forward to next season starting in October,” stated Tom and Missy Bancroft, South Carolina Division directors. “A total of 19 of our 22 teams brought a limit to the scale in this warm tournament. Our couples brought 97 bass to the scale with a total weight of 154.44 pounds. That gave the competitors an average 1.59 pounds per fish. Victoria Goff presented the Dale Goff Memorial Award for Consistency to John and Susan Mills. Congratulations to our winners.”
For more information about this tournament, call Tournament Director Melissa Bancroft at (843) 697-6232. For more information about any American Bass Anglers tournament series, visit www.americanbassanglers.com or call (256) 232-0406.
American Bass Anglers is sponsored by Caymas Boats, Mercury Marine, T-H Marine, Garmin Electronics, Power Pole, Lucas Oil, Monster Energy, REKS Sunglasses, Optima Batteries, Hotel Planner.com and LurePartsOnline.com.
American Bass Anglers is sponsored by Caymas Boats, Mercury Marine, T-H Marine, Garmin Electronics, Power Pole, Lucas Oil, RT Outdoors, Sportsman Card, Optima Batteries, Hotel Planner.com, and LurePartsOnline.com.
About American Bass Anglers: American Bass Anglers is committed to providing low-cost, close-to-home tournaments for the weekend angler and, at the same time, offering each competitor an upward path for individual angler progression.
For more information about American Bass Anglers, the Open Series, the American Fishing Tour, the American Couples Series, the annual Military Team Bass Tournament, and the Top 150 Solo Tour, all presented by Caymas Boats, visit www.americanbassanglers.com or call (256) 232-0406
This story was written by ABA staff writer John N. Felsher. To submit articles of interest email info@americanbassanglers.com.
