Robert and Sally Young win on Lake Wylie
April 8, 2023, Rock Hill, SC – Robert and Sally Young of Horse Shoe, North Carolina, won the American Couples Series South Carolina Division tournament presented by American Bass Anglers. Running out of Ebenezer State Park near Rock Hill, SC. Robert & Sally brought back five bass that locked in the scales at 12.97 pounds anchored by a 3.82-pound kicker. For the victory, the Youngs took home a check for $360.00.
Robert and Sally Young tell us, “With high winds, continuous pouring rain, and temps in the low to mid 40’s Lake Wylie certainly proved to be a test for all involved! We want to thank and congratulate all of the SC Division 11 ABA Couples who came out to brave these challenging conditions. Your dedication to our sport makes you all winners in our book! We caught our fish on points and channel banks using a combination of crankbaits and plastic worms. We had put the pattern together during practice days, and fortunately, it still worked even with the major weather changes.
We have to thank Caymas for building a great boat. Our CX20 Pro allowed us to safely maneuver in the rough water to reach our fishing spots. We are newcomers to the ABA Couples series this year and we have nothing but good things to say about the tournaments, participants, sponsors, and especially our division directors, Tom & Missy Bancroft, who somehow manage to setup registration at 5 AM, fish all day, come in early to setup weigh-ins, distribute door prizes and payouts, along with the necessary paperwork and promptly post the results!! And they do all of this with the most positive, friendly attitudes while still being fierce bass fishing competitors! Special thanks for all they do.”
Second place was claimed by Tom and Missy Bancroft, with five bass weighing a total of 12.19 pounds. For their efforts Tom & Missy took home $240 in prize money.
Tom and Missy shared, “We caught more than 20 largemouth bass during a 4-hour practice, using a methylate floating worm and a Texas rigged green pumpkin craw worm with dyed craws.
On tournament day, a 35-degree temperature drop brought the surface temperature down 10 degrees, with winds and rain all day. Making the bite for us a little slower. We only caught 6 bass on tournament day. We fished the shallows, targeting stumps and the back of docks. We know it was a challenge for everyone that came out to fish on such a cold, wet and windy day. We appreciate the dedication and support of all of our couples.
Bryan Waddell caught the Men’s Biggest Bass of the tournament. His fish locked in the scales at 4.22 pounds earning him $40.
Missy Bancroft caught the Ladies Biggest Bass of the tournament. Her fish locked in the scales at 2.99 pounds earning her $40.
Tom & Missy won the G-Line $100 Bounty for being the highest finisher powering the trolling motor with a G-Line Lithium Battery.
Everyone has those days on the water when you catch fish, but they all seem to be fanners, or you never get that kicker you’ve been looking for. Well, thanks to Berkeley Outdoors, one of our generous sponsors, our couples can still get a payday if they weigh in the smallest 5-fish limit.
Bryan and Sharon Waddell received the Berkeley Outdoors $50 Smallest Limit Award with 5 bass weighing 10.60 lbs.
Top 5 Teams PL Angler Fish Penalty Big Bass Total Points Payout 1 Robert Young-Sally Young 5 3.82 12.97 188 360 2 Thomas Bancroft-Melissa Bancroft 5 12.19 187 240 3 Zach Waddell-Sophie Gibson 5 3.40 12.00 186 4 Joey Outlaw-Abbigale Outlaw 5 3.16 11.96 185 5 John Lanier-Jordan Lanier 5 0.50 4.17 11.89 184 Thanks to our sponsors, we can provide drawings for those teams that do not earn a paycheck. Our sponsor items for this event included selections from Berkley Baits, McElveen GMC Buick, Yo-zuri, Phantom Outdoors, Five Bass Tackle, StrikeKing, Choo Choo Custom Baits, and JC’s Outdoors products.
The next tournament for the South Carolina Division will take place on April 22, 2023, launching from Russell State Park on Lake Russell.
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, RT Outdoors, Atlas Hydraulic Jackplate, Power Pole, 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
