February 22, 2025, Greenwood, South Carolina – Trad and Angie Whaley claimed victory at the 5th tournament of the American Bass Anglers Couples Series, South Carolina Division #11, held on Lake Greenwood. With a mix of seasoned competitors and new teams, the event showcased outstanding fishing, teamwork, and camaraderie as anglers vied for top honors. Twenty-five teams braved low temperatures in the 20s at the start of the morning to compete on what turned into a beautiful day on the water.
This was Trad and Angie’s first day tournament ever fished together. Up until now Angie was the glue that kept the family running smoothly. Almost never missing the weigh-ins and always cheering the loudest while raising their kids. They delivered an impressive performance, securing first place with a total weight of 22.42-pounds. The team credited their success to keying in on channel turns with jerk baits and blades in 8 to 12 foot on brush and isolated rock. Their standout catch included another key fish off a main lake dock, earning them first place points and payout of $844. Trad says this was one of his best days ever and was a long time coming.
In second place were newcomers, Cole Taylor and Addyson Hale. weighing 5 bass for a total of 20.91-pounds. Their sack was highlighted by the largest bass of the day weighing 7.26-pounds. Their efforts earned them 199 points to start their Couples Trail career. They fished jerk baits and dimiki rigs suspended in bait and on steep banks with structure.
Tim and Lori Ard claimed third place with a total of 14.18-pounds. The Ards targeted the first 5 or 6 docks with brush in creek feed pockets pitching Texas rigged creature style baits. The bait had to be worked extremely SLOW. As the day warmed up the better they bit. Tim says the missed some very key fish and can’t wait for the next event.
The returning team of TJ and Hannah Souther took fourth place with 5 bass weighing 12.79-pounds. The Southers ran down towards the dam to get below the muddy water and caught a total of 6 keepers off shallow rocks using crankbaits and jerkbaits.
Another new team, Larry and Whitney Tankersley finished up the teams that placed in the money on Lake Greenwood. Larry and Whitney used Keitech swimbaits to catch 10.66-pounds and claim fifth place and $94 in award money.
Top 15
Men’s Big Bass was awarded to Cole Taylor for his biggest bass of the tournament weighing in at 7.26-pounds and earning $125.
Genevra Fields won Ladies Big Bass with her 4.22-pound largemouth earning $120.
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.
John and Susan Mills finished in 8th place with the smallest 5-fish limit earning them $50 from Berkeley Outdoors. They also were the highest placing team with GLine Batteries powering their trolling motor, earning them the $100 GLine Bounty.
It really was John and Susan Mills’ lucky day, in addition to winning our sponsor side pots, they were the lucky winners of a set of lithium batteries from Watt Cycle, one of our National Sponsors.
Looking Ahead
The next event for the South Carolina Division 11 will take place March 8th at Broyles Landing on Lake Hartwell. 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
