Phillip Johnston of Jefferson, GA won the Bass Pro Shops Open Series event held on Lake Murray on 7/25/20. Running out of Dreher Island State Park Johnston weighed in four bass weighing 15.45 pounds. His catch was anchored by a bass weighing 5.48 pounds. Johnston took home $1200.00 for his catch.
“I caught my fish today on a jig in 15-25 feet,” said Johnston.
Taking second for the boaters, Ryan Raley of Lexington, SC weighed in a five bass limit weighing 14.81 pounds.
“I got lucky and found some schooling fish and caught them on top water,” said Raley.
Taking third for the boaters Wayman Coleman IV of Abbeville, SC weighed in four bass weighing 12.56 pounds.
“I caught my fish on a frog,” said Coleman.
In fourth place for the boaters Greg Rikard of Leesville, SC weighed in five bass weighing 11.65 pounds. Rounding out the top five was Steve Wicker of Pomeria, SC weighed in four bass weighing 11.25 pounds.
Big bass honors went to Michael Stephens of Gastonia, NC with a bass that weighed 5.59 pounds. Stephens took home $160.00 for his fish.
In the co-angler division Jackie Belt of Fountain Inn, SC took top honors with two bass weighing 5.91 pounds. Belt took home $500.00 for the win.
“I caught my two keepers on a Buckeye Buzzbait,” said Belt.
In second place for the co-anglers, William Pontius of Sugar Hill, GA weighed in three bass weighing 5.77 pounds.
“I caught my fish on a shakyhead,” said Pontius.
Taking third for the co-anglers, Gregory Littles Sr. weighed in one bass weighing 5.45 pounds which was also the biggest bass weighed in by a co-angler.
Littles took home $325.00 for his catch.
“I caught my keeper on a jig,” said Littles.
In fourth place for the co-anglers, Alan Bennett of Greenwood, SC weighed in one bass weighing 4.70 pounds. Rounding out the top five, Lonnie Drusch of Sumter, SC weighed in two bass weighing 3.08 pounds.
The next event for the South Carolina Division will be the two-day regional on Lake Wylie launching out of Ebenezer park on September 26-27/2020.
About American Bass Anglers – American Bass Anglers is committed to providing low cost, close to home tournaments for the weekend angler while offering an upward path for individual angler progression. For more information about American Bass Anglers and all their bass tournament trails visit www.americanbassanglers.com.
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, Monster Energy, Lucas Oil, Maui Jim, Optima Batteries, Hotel Planner.com and Power-Pole. Mailing address: American Bass Anglers, Inc, PO Box 475, Athens, AL 35612 PH (256) 232-0406.
