April 12, 2025, Gilbert, South Carolina – Lake Murray was the site of the 8th tournament of the American Bass Anglers Couples Series, South Carolina Division #11. Seventeen teams came out to compete on Lake Murray.
Logan Geisler and Summer Williams took the win with five bass for a total weight of 18.25 pounds, earning first place prize money of $575 and 197 points. Logan and Summer targeted bass feeding on the herring spawn. By 9 AM, they had 16 pounds on topwater lures. After hitting a couple more places, they caught their kicker bass weighing 5.19 pounds to give them their winning weight as well as Men’s Big Bass.
In second place were Cole Taylor and Addyson Hale, who weighed five bass for a total of 17.13 pounds, earning the team $350 in prize money and 196 points. Cole and Addyson caught their bag fishing for schoolers on points early in the morning, then fished docks with wacky worms as the day progressed. Addyson weighed a 4.81-pound bass, breaking the tie with the Veronees.
Tucker and Bella Veronee claimed third place with a total of 17.13 pounds, earning $225 in prize money and 196 points. In the morning, Tucker and Bella targeted post-spawn fish on points and slowed down in the afternoon around docks to get a couple of key bites.
Fourth place went to John and Donna Branstetter with five bass weighing 15.31 pounds. The Branstetters won $125 in prize money and 194 points. John and Donna were on a herring bite pattern. They did not feel that the bedding bass would place due to the pressure put on the lake with recent championships. John caught a huge 12.78-pound bass in practice locking them into three points and two small rock piles. On tournament day, the winds had moved the herring off point, but the fish they caught came off of rocks around the points using Berkley Dredger 10.5 HD Blueback Herring and Owner Shakey Ultrahead 3/16 oz with Zoom Speed Worms.
Addyson Hale caught the Ladies Big Bass weighing in at 4.81-pounds and earning $75.
Logan Geisler weighed in the Men’s Big Bass with a weight of 5.19-pounds.
Top 10
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 7th place, earning them the $100 GLine Bounty as the top finishers to power their trolling motor with GLine Batteries.
Darren and Amy Taylor claimed the $50 Berkeley Outdoors’ Smallest Limit prize. They finished in 8th place but still took home $50 thanks to Berkeley Outdoors!
Looking Ahead
The next event for the South Carolina Division 11 will take place May 3rd out of Hickory Knob on Clark’s Hill. 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
