Russell Clark Wins a Cold One on Clarks Hill
Athens, Ala. Russell Clark of Abbeville, SC won the American Fishing Tour, presented by American Bass Anglers, South Carolina Division 96 1-day qualifier held January 7, 2018 on Clarks Hill Lake running out of the Dorn Boating Facility near McCormick, SC.
This was a cold day. Started out at 12 degrees and was at 34 degrees by the 4 pm weigh-in. Because of the cold we started out at 8am. Mostly sunny skies all day long and a wind out of the ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Clarks Hill Lake is at 9 feet below full pool with surface temp in the mid-40s. About six anglers were impacted by the cold temperature with boat problems. They ranged from battery problems to frozen shifter linkage, frozen steering and one frozen lower unit on the trip to the lake. Apparently, the seals in the foot let water in and mixed with the lube. The cold ride at 12 degrees froze it and busted the lower unit housing.
There were 18 anglers fishing this Division 96 1-day qualifier tournament out of the Dorn Boating Facility near McCormick, SC.
First place, Russell Clark of Abbeville, SC had 5 fish weighing 23.67 pounds that was anchored by a kicker fish at 5.86 pounds. His total weight takes the lead for the Level Performance Rod Big Sack Rod. Russell caught his fish on jigs fishing rocks in the middle part of the lake. The combined payback for first place and first place option pot earned Russell $610.
Jonathan Botts of Abbeville, SC was second with 5 fish weighing 22.36 pounds which included the 9.45-pound tournament big fish. The big fish puts Jonathan in the lead for the ALX Rod Big Fish Rod. He caught his big fish on a Shad Rap fishing the upper part of the lake. The rest of his fish came on a jig and a medium diver crank bait fishing creek channels. Jonathan took home $448 for second place, second place option pot and big fish.
Shane Abbott of Ninety-Six, SC took third place with 5 fish weighing 17.56 pounds which included a 4.73-pound kicker. Shane caught his fish on a jig fishing the lower part of the lake. He was targeting rocks and hydrilla. He won a total of $94 for third place.
Fourth place was Truett Hill of Laurens, SC with 4 fish weighing 9.38 pounds. Truett won a $25 coupon from Wolfstone Tungsten for his fourth-place finish.
Fifth place was Danny Ashley of Donalds, SC with 4 fish weighing 8.54 pounds that included a kicker fish of 5.45 pounds. Danny won an ALX Rod Hat and a $50 off coupon towards the purchase of an ALX Rod.
Evan Buller of Lincolnton, Ga. finished sixth with 5 fish weighing 8.29 pounds. Evan won an Level Performance Rod Hat for his sixth-place finish.
Top 5 finishers:
1 – Russell Clark - 5 fish 23.67 pounds 198 points
2 – Jonathan Botts – 5 fish 22.36 pounds 197 points
3 – Shane Abbott – 5 fish 17.56 pounds 196 points
4 – Truett Hill – 4 fish 9.38 pounds 195 points
5 – Danny Ashley – 4 fish 8.54 pounds 194 points
These anglers are qualifying to compete in the 2018 Ram AFT National Championship on Lake Hartwell in Anderson, SC on October 21-26, 2018.The next Division 96 tournament for Division 96 will be on Lake Murray out of Dreher Island State Park near Prosperity, SC on February 25, 2018.
For more information, contact D-96 Director Phil Morris at 864-993-0346; email plmorrisd96@gmail.com or call ABA at (256) 232-0406. On-line, see www.americanbassanglers.com or www.aba-sc.com for complete results. Also check out our Facebook page at D-96 American Fishing Tour.
The American Fishing Tour offers low cost, close to home bass tournaments that are designed for the weekend angler. All ABA anglers fish for money and points. The points advance the angler to their divisional championship and the top 500 anglers in the US are invited to the American Fishing Tour National Championship.
American Bass Anglers, Inc. is supported by Triton Boats, Mercury Outboards , GEICO, Berkley, Abu Garcia, T-H Marine, Livingston Lures, Best Western Hotels, Maui Jim, Power Pole, Garmin, and SiriusXM Marine Weather. American Bass Anglers, Inc. can be contacted at (256) 232-0406 or by visiting americanbassanglers.com