March 22, 2025, Six Mile, South Carolina – Lake Keowee was the site of the 7th tournament of the American Bass Anglers Couples Series, South Carolina Division #11. The fishing conditions were chilly in the morning but sunny with high winds in the afternoon. Twenty-six teams joined us to compete and enjoy some vitamin D.
Tucker and Bella Veronee took the win on their second event with us. The Veronees brought 5 bass to the scales for a total weight of 16.41-pounds, earning first place prize money of $878 and 200 points. Tucker and Bella fished the event with no practice and no expectations. They picked an area and picked it apart, catching one fish off of a bed. The other four were pre-spawners on flats in 10 to 15 feet of water caught on a jerkbait, neko rig and a Crush City mooch minnow.
In second place was Ben and Ashley Sutton weighing 5 bass for a total of 15.22-pounds. Earning the Suttons $488 in prize money and 199 points to add to their current lead in the standings. Their sack was highlighted by the largest bass of the day weighing 6.13-pounds and earning $130 for Men’s Big Bass. Ben and Ashley have really raked in the sponsor earnings this year as well. They earned the $100 G-Line Bounty for being the top team to power their trolling motor with a G-Line lithium battery.
Ben had a good practice on Tuesday but scratched his game plan when he didn’t have any fish in the boat by 8:30. He picked up a Five-Alive jig and flipped under a dock to get their first fish of the day and also big bass of the event. Ashley had one follow from under a dock but didn’t take the bait. Ben rounded the dock and realized the bass came off of a bed. He fished it with the jig and the bass nailed it. After that they ran banks catching some small bass and losing a good one on spinner baits. He just knew that loss was going to hurt them. They culled up using drop shots on brush piles. It was a beautiful day on the lake even though wind was really bad. Ben says his G-Line batteries held up great and he could have fished another day without charging them even with the heavy winds. Buying those batteries may be one of the best decisions he has ever made. Ben gives credit to Ashley and thanks her for making a good call to change up and not get stuck on what he found in practice.
Hunter and Katie Eubanks claimed third place with a total of 13.25-pounds. The Eubanks started their day by fishing dirt shallow in the back of a creek where they lost a 5-pounder on a Rayburn Red Booyah one knocker and a 4-pound spot on a chatterbait. They decided to regroup and fish for spawning fish on the drop-offs of banks with big rock using a spot remover mag shakey head and green pumpkin trick worms. They caught a 4-pounder, two high 2-pounders, and spooked a lot of 4- to 5-pounders that had just pulled up.
Fourth place went to Eric and Alicia Simpson with 5 bass weighing 13.23-pounds, earning $195 in prize money and 197 points. Eric and Alicia fished the lower end of the lake and caught fish on swim baits and shakey heads around docks. They covered as much water as possible and stayed out of the wind!!
Fifth place went to John and Susan Mills with 5 bass weighing 12.94-pounds, earning $98 and 196 points. Susan anchored their bag with Ladies Big Bass weighing 4.43-pounds and earning $125 in prize money. Susan shared their pattern was fishing docks with brush hogs and finesse shakey head worms. However, her big bass came when she picked up a spinner bait and swam it through a lay down. The big bass attacked her bait just as it cleared the laydown!
The South Carolina Couples is blessed to have many generous sponsors. Our sponsors make our trail weigh-ins more exciting by allowing most teams that are out of the money to go home with a drawing prize. Our members enjoy sponsor items from our Division sponsors: ALX Rods, Berkeley Outdoors, Berkley Baits, Choo Choo Custom Lures, Five Bass Tackle, GLine Batteries, JC’s Outdoors, Lew’s, Kissel Krafts Custom Rods, McElveen GMC Buick, Mule Skinner Baits, Phantom Outdoors, Strike King, TruCarts and Yo-zuri.
Ben & Ashley Sutton finished in 2nd place earning them the $100 GLine Bounty.
And for the second time in a row, Chris & Genevra Fields claimed the $50 Berkeley Outdoors’ Smallest Limit prize. They finished in 22nd place but still took home $50 thanks to Berkeley Outdoors!
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Looking Ahead
The next event for the South Carolina Division 11 will take place April 12th at Siesta Cove on Lake Murray. Stay tuned for more exciting action and updates. For more information about the American Bass Anglers Couples Series and upcoming events, visit South Carolina Couples Bass Trail on Facebook or 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.
About American Bass Anglers
American Bass Anglers is dedicated to organizing affordable, local tournaments for weekend anglers while offering opportunities for individual angler advancement. To learn more about American Bass Anglers, including the Team Series, American Fishing Tour, American Couples Series, annual Military Team Bass Tournament, ABA Team Series, Top 150 Solo Tour, and Professional League, all presented by Caymas Boats, please visit www.americanbassanglers.com or call (256) 232-0406.
American Bass Anglers is proud to be sponsored by Caymas Boats, Mercury Marine, T-H Marine, Power Pole, WattCycle Batteries, Hotel Planner.com, and LurePartsOnline.com.
For more information, visit www.americanbassanglers.com or call (256) 232-0406
