McCormick, SC – September 30, 2023: Andy Lake, hailing from Batesburg, SC, takes the win of the American Fishing Tour Division 25 – South Carolina Northwest season opener, presented by American Bass Anglers. Departing from the Dorn Fishing Facility near McCormick, SC, Andy returned with five fish that collectively tipped the scales at an impressive 14.53 pounds, anchored by a formidable 5.42-pound largemouth bass. For his victory, Lake was awarded the coveted first-place plaque and a cash prize of $600. In addition, he secured the top position in the option pot, adding another $132 to his winnings, bringing his total earnings to an impressive $732.
The second-place honor was secured by John Long, representing Grovetown, GA. Long brought in a five-fish limit weighing in at 14.51 pounds, with a 5.13-pound bass anchoring his effort. His performance earned him the second-place, accompanied by a prize purse of $360. Additionally, John secured the second-place option pot, contributing an extra $88 to his total payout, culminating in a well-deserved $448. Bravo to John Long for his outstanding performance.
Blake Campbell, hailing from Anderson, SC, clinched the third-place position with yet another impressive five-fish haul, boasting a cumulative weight of 14.45 pounds. Campbell’s efforts were rewarded with a cash prize of $123. A commendable achievement for Blake Campbell.
The fourth-place distinction was achieved by Robbie Mills, representing Appling, GA. Mills presented a five-fish limit, which collectively registered at 14.44 pounds, featuring a notable 3.72-pound kicker. His performance earned him $94 in cash, marking an excellent catch by Robbie.
The title of Biggest Bass of the tournament belonged to none other than Andy Lake, whose remarkable catch tipped the scales at an impressive 5.42 pounds. In recognition of this feat, Lake was awarded a plaque and an additional $115 in cash. .
The top 15 finishers in this tournament were as follows:
| PL | Angler | Fish | Big Bass | Total | Points | Payout |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andy Lake | 5 | 5.42 | 14.53 | 200 | 600 |
| 2 | John D. Long | 5 | 5.13 | 14.51 | 199 | 360 |
| 3 | Blake S. Campbell | 5 | 14.45 | 198 | 123 | |
| 4 | Robbie Mills | 5 | 3.72 | 14.44 | 197 | 94 |
| 5 | Amin Jaber | 5 | 3.81 | 12.44 | 196 | |
| 6 | Donald M. Miller | 4 | 3.60 | 12.20 | 195 | |
| 7 | Wayne J. Davenport | 5 | 5.03 | 12.02 | 194 | |
| 8 | Steven Webb | 5 | 11.14 | 193 | ||
| 9 | Justin K. Raines | 5 | 2.22 | 10.77 | 192 | |
| 10 | Zachary A. Green | 5 | 2.51 | 10.29 | 191 | |
| 11 | Jason A. Moyer | 5 | 9.11 | 190 | ||
| 12 | Jonathon Brown | 5 | 9.00 | 189 | ||
| 13 | Steven W. Pizzino | 5 | 8.22 | 188 | ||
| 14 | Paul J. Ham | 5 | 7.97 | 187 | ||
| 15 | Jon D. Henderson | 5 | 7.82 | 186 |
Looking ahead, the next tournament in this division is scheduled to take place at Lake Hartwell on October 22, 2023, with the launch site being the Gum Branch Tournament Facility in Hartwell, GA. For additional information about this event or the division, please contact the local director, Zach Green, at 478-733-6473 or visit www.americanbassanglers.com.
It is worth noting that these dedicated anglers earn valuable points toward the divisional Angler of the Year title. The points champion from each division will have the opportunity to compete in the annual American Bass Anglers AFT Angler of The Year Final Round at the AFT Championship. Furthermore, the top 500 anglers across various divisions will earn the privilege of competing in the prestigious three-day ABA 2024 AFT National Championship tournament.
About American Bass Anglers: American Bass Anglers is dedicated to providing affordable and locally accessible tournaments tailored for weekend anglers. These events also offer a progressive pathway for individual angler development.
American Bass Anglers is sponsored by Caymas Boats, Mercury Marine, MotorGuide, T-H Marine, Power Pole, RT Outdoors, Optima Batteries, Hotel Planner.com, and LurePartsOnline.com.
For more information about American Bass Anglers, including the American Fishing Tour, American Couples Series, annual Military Team Bass Tournament, Professional League, ABA Team Series, and Top 150 Solo Tour, all proudly presented by Caymas Boats, please visit www.americanbassanglers.com or call (256) 232-0406.
