Brad and Ana Rutherford Win on Murray
December 10, 2022, Lexington, SC: Brad & Ana Rutherford of Little Mountain, SC won the American Couples Series South Carolina Division tournament presented by American Bass Anglers. Running out of Siesta Cove Marina near Lexington, SC. Brad & Ana brought back 5 bass that locked in the scales at 19.03 pounds anchored by a 5.41-pound kicker. For the victory, Brad & Ana took home a check for $979.
Brad & Ana focused on shallow areas with rock-throwing a Berkley Frittside 5 in red. They caught a lot of fish and had a lot of fun. They told us that they really enjoy fishing with the couples and wish they could fish more of the events like they used to.
Second place was claimed by Harry Johnson with 5 bass weighing a total of 18.86 pounds. For his efforts, Harry took home $544 in prize money.
Harry tells us that he fished rock on wind-blown banks early burning a ¾ oz. spinner bait. He had about 16 pounds in the boat by 10 AM upgrading several times later in the day. Every fish weighed came on a spinner bait. We missed Kim at this event but are sure she had fun at the grandbabies' first birthday party.
Ben & Ashley Sutton took third with five bass and a total weight of 16.98 to earn $326 in prize money.
Ben & Ashley caught their limit on a big flat down the lake with ½ oz. spinner-baits on grass catching 3 in their first 5 casts. Then went to brush piles catching a 4 pounder and 3 pounder before returning to that flat and upgrading their catch. Weather helped a lot, but grass was a big part of their pattern.
Don & Martha Goodfellow took fourth with five bass and a total weight of 15.39 to earn $218 in prize money.
Most of their fish were caught early winding crankbaits on shallow rocky points and banks. Their nice bag was anchored with Martha’s 6.35-pound Ladies Big Bass. Her big fish was caught later in the day, in 12 feet depth of water, on the end of a rocky point with a shakey-head. Martha thought it was important to note that this bass was hooked with her sensitive Kissell Kraft rod and Lew’s reel. Several fish caught earlier were with her Yo-Zuri Rattlin’ Vibe lipless crankbait, in the green-silver color. Interesting to note that these tackle companies are all sponsors for the South Carolina Couples Trail.
Tom & Missy Bancroft took fifth with five bass and a total weight of 14.77 to earn $109 in prize money.
Tom & Missy caught their limit using red and green trick worms fished wacky style on brush, stumps, and trash cans. First time ever to see a trash can brush pile. Caught a 3-pounder in practice as well as a 3-pounder in the tournament on it.
The Men’s Biggest Bass of the tournament was caught by Brad Rutherford. His fish locked in the scales at 5.41 pounds earning him $145.
The Ladies Biggest Bass of the tournament was caught by Martha Goodfellow. Her fish locked in the scales at 6.35 pounds earning her $140.
Top Finishers
PL Angler Fish Penalty Big Bass Total Points Payout 1 Brad Rutherford-Ana Rutherford 5 5.41 19.03 200 979 2 Harry Johnson-Kimberly Johnson 5 4.97 18.86 199 544 3 David Sutton-Ashley Sutton 5 4.07 16.98 198 326 4 Don Goodfellow-Martha Goodfellow 5 15.39 197 218 5 Thomas Bancroft-Melissa Bancroft 5 14.77 196 109 6 Ryan Coyle-Alyssa Madron 5 14.40 195 7 Tyler Schmidt-Amy Schmidt 5 5.11 13.88 194 8 John Mills-Susan Mills 5 13.27 193 9 John Gutierrez-Katie Buchanan 5 13.16 192 10 Sean Hall-Abby Askew 5 13.02 191 Tom & Missy won the G-Line $100 Bounty for being the highest finisher powering the trolling motor with a G-Line Lithium Battery.
$50 Smallest 5-Fish Limit sponsored by Berkeley Outdoors went to the team of Meredith & Brittany Havird with a limit weighing 9.37 lbs.
Thanks to our sponsors we can provide drawings for those teams that do not earn a paycheck. Our sponsor items for this event included products and support from Yo-zuri, Berkley Baits, Five Bass Tackle, Phantom Outdoors, Choo Choo Custom Baits, JC’s Outdoors, and McElveen Buick GMC.
The next tournament for the South Carolina Division will take place on Saturday, February 25, 2023 launching from One Stop Marina on Lake Greenwood (5121 Old Laurens Road, Greenwood, SC 29649).
For more information on this event or division please contact your local directors Tom Bancroft at (843) 697-6232 or Missy Bancroft at (843) 697-3441 or visit www.americanbassanglers.com
In the American Couples Series, anglers pair up for a team effort. Most teams consist of a husband and a wife, but that’s not a rule. Teams can consist of a boyfriend and girlfriend combination, a father and daughter duo, or any combination of one male and one female.
The teams compete in several regional or state divisions throughout the year. Once a pair forms a team, however, the two must fish together as a team throughout the season to be eligible to accumulate points and qualify for the annual national championship.
The entry fee for the American Couples Series one-day events is $100 and the top teams are invited to compete in the championship each fall.
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, HotelPlanner.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
