John and Susan Mills Win on Lake Russell
Richard B. Russell State Park on Lake Russell was the site of the final 2020-2021 tournament for the SC Couples trail on May 15, 2021 followed by the year-end banquet and awards presentation.
We had 29 teams compete paying out $2,175 to 5 places, $140 for Men’s and $130 for Ladies Big Bass and the Berkeley Outdoors sponsored $50 Smallest Limit Award.
Our couples brought 113 bass to the scales with a total weight of 176.23 pounds with 100% released.
1st Place and Ladies' Big Bass
John and Susan Mills took 1st place with 5 fish weighing 13.76 pounds earning $979. Susan also brought the Ladies Big Bass to the scales weighing in at 4.55 pounds adding $130 to their payout.
2nd Place
Dale & Victoria Goff took 2nd place with 5 fish weighing 10.58 pounds earning $544
3rd Place
Ben & Ashley Sutton took 3rd place with 5 fish weighing 10.22 pounds earning $325
4th Place and Men’s Big Bass
Ryan & Cherie Shoaf took 4th place with 5 fish weighing 10.13 pounds earning $218. Ryan also brought the Men’s Big Bass to the scales weighing in at 4.86 pounds adding $140 to their payout.
5th Place
Travis Weathers fishing solo for the team of Travis and Angel Weathers brought 5 fish weighing 9.71 pounds earning 5th Place and $109.
Berkeley $50 Smallest Limit
Benny & Joyce Howell brought the Smallest Limit of 4.08 pounds to the scales to earn the $50 prize sponsored by Berkeley Outdoors.
It’s sad to say but our 2021 season has come to an end. We had a lot of great times especially at our Year-End Awards Banquet held after the Lake Russell tournament. Where we served bbq pork, pulled smoked chicken, baked beans and potato salad. And the sweets table was packed with cakes, cookies, sweets and snacks brought by everyone. And thanks to our sponsors everyone went home with something at the end of the event.
What a great group of friends!We can always count on getting help with setup and take down of our tournaments and events. It makes it that much more fun when folks get involved. Not to mention how much Tom and I appreciate the help. Thank you!
Angler’s of the YearDale & Victoria Goff won AOY again with 991 points earned from their top 5 of the 9 events they competed in. This was a 5 repeat for them as South Carolina’s AOY. They took home the Crystal, Kissel Kraft rod certificate, and Lew’s Reel.
AOY Runner’s Up
John & Susan received a Lew’s Reel for AOY Runner’s Up with 979 points.
Men’s Big Bass of the Year (5 Event Requirement)
Harry Johnson received a $160 Certificate for ALX Rods and the Men’s Big Bass plaque for his 6.83 pound bass weighed on Lake Murray’s November 7th tournament.
Ladies Big Bass of the Year (5 Event Requirement)
Susan Mills received a $160 Certificate for ALX Rods and the Ladies Big Bass plaque for her 4.55 pound bass weighed in on Lake Russell’s May 15th tournament.
Additional Sponsor Prizes & Giveaways
Referral Prize of a Phantom Weigh Bag and Tackle consisting of Lucky Craft, MegaBass and Strike King baits was drawn from all teams that enter based on referring a new team that participated in at least one South Carolina Couples tournament. This year’s winner was Mike Blalock & Deanna Phillips for referring Caleb Allgood & Alissa Ahlemeyer.
Hard Luck Prize of a Noco Battery Boost was drawn from all teams that submitted an entry of their Hard Luck story for the season. This year’s winner was Gene & Bertie Wiggins.
Thanks to our sponsors every team went home with at least one sponsor item from the Year-End Banquet and Awards Presentation. Remember you had to compete in a minimum of 5 events to be eligible for our Year-End Awards and larger sponsor items.
Some of the larger sponsor items if you met the minimum tournaments included a set of 4 tires from Continental Tire (Sumter Plant), Certificate for 5 tournaments for the 2021-2022 Season to include Men’s and Ladies Big Bass from Berkeley Outdoors, Noco Battery Boost from your Directors, Lew’s Reel and Spinning Reel from Angler’s Choice (Rodney Bratcher & Patti Dennison), and Yo-zuri tackle pack valued at approximately $80.
We also had some very nice sponsor items raffled for all in attendance to include Certificate for 5 tournaments for the 2021-2022 Season to include Men’s and Ladies Big Bass from Berkeley Outdoors, 4 Lew’s Rods, Lew’s Reel from your Directors, Tackle Packs (from Yo-zuri, Berkeley Baits, Five Bass Tackle, Strike-King, and Dick’s Sporting Goods), Apparel (from Phantom, JC’s Outdoors, Angler’s Choice (Rodney Bratcher & Patti Dennison)), Mission hats and cups from Bryan & Sharon Waddell)
Give back to our sponsors by shopping with them whenever you can. Our sponsors are Phantom Outdoors, JC’s Outdoors, Five Bass Tackle, Berkeley Outdoors, Choo Choo Custom Baits, ALX Rods, Strike King, Lew’s, Continental Tire (Sumter Plant), Kissel Krafts Custom Rods, Angler’s Choice, and Yo-zuri. The teams of Bryan & Sharon Waddell and Rodney Bratcher & Patti Dennison also provided giveaway items for several of our tournaments.
We missed those couples that were not able to be with us for the final event of the Division Season. But look forward to seeing everyone that makes it to the National Championship on Lake Eufaula in October where we hope to have another get together at the Hawkins Ridge Lodge.
