November 1, 2025, McCormick, SC – Ben and Ashley Sutton emerged as the winning team at the second tournament of the American Bass Anglers Couples Series, South Carolina Division 11, held on the scenic Clark’s Hill. With a strong field of returning couples and new faces alike, the event was filled with high energy as anglers aimed to secure top catches and claim the day’s bragging rights.
Ben and Ashley Sutton showcased exceptional teamwork to capture first place with a total weight of 13.47 pounds, anchored by men’s big bass weighing 4.53-pounds, earning them 199 points, $625 for 1st and $95 for men’s big bass. Ben and Ashley started the morning up the lake and caught a limit, culling twice on buzzbaits and whooper ploppers, as they worked their way back to the ramp. Ben’s last cast produced his big bass caught on a whooper plopper and his AOY 6’8” Medium Action Kissel Kraft custom rod before heading to weigh-in. Ben and Ashley would like to thank all of our sponsors for making it possible for the ABA couples to continue to fish, make lasting memories, and meeting new friends.
Robert and Sally Young claimed second place with a total of 12.06 pounds, featuring the day’s largest bass on the ladies’ side—a 3.46-pound catch by Sally that significantly boosted their standings and earned them 198 points, $375 for 2nd, and $90 for ladies’ big bass.
Robert and Sally caught their fish on crank baits and worms on rocky banks and brush. They had a limit in the boat by 10 am, with the 2 largest bass by 11 am. They concentrated their efforts close to Hickory Knobb State Park. Sally’s big bass and personal best came as quite a surprise. After a slow foggy morning started throwing crank baits along the bank, they switched up to worms in downed trees. As Robert was telling Sally to get him out of the tree she told him to get the net! Sally was excited to have a fish to weigh and never considered it to be ladies’ big bass.
Logan Geisler and Kirsten Bickley made a strong impression with their third-place finish, weighing in a 9.52-pound sack for 197 points and $250. Logan and Kirsten caught their bag using drop shots on brush piles.
Trad and Daelyn Whaley, enjoying quality time as father and daughter, brought 9.41-pounds to the scale, earning 4th-place, 196 points, and $175. Trad and Daelyn fished brush depths of 15 to 25 feet on main creek and main lake points in the mid-lake area. Most of their catch came on shakey heads with Berkley havoc trick works.
Results
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| POF | Team | Fish | Men's BB | Ladies BB | Weight |
| 1 | Ben & Ashley Sutton | 5 | 4.53 | - | 13.47 |
| 2 | Robert & Sally Young | 5 | 3.81 | 3.46 | 12.06 |
| 3 | Logan Geisler & Kirsten Bickley | 5 | 3.58 | - | 9.52 |
| 4 | Trad & Daelyn Whaley | 5 | - | - | 9.41 |
| 5 | Craig & MaryAnn Sahms | 5 | - | - | 9.36 |
| 6 | Harry & Kim Johnson | 5 | - | 2.36 | 9.35 |
| 7 | Jim & Julie Collins | 5 | - | 2.76 | 9.27 |
| 8 | John & Donna Branstetter | 5 | - | 3.28 | 8.78 |
| 9 | Cole Taylor & Addyson Hale | 5 | - | - | 8.76 |
| 10 | Chris & Stacey Gulledge | 5 | - | - | 8.02 |
| 11 | Tom & Missy Bancroft | 5 | - | 2.52 | 7.84 |
| 12 | Billy & Jerri Beam | 5 | - | - | 6.94 |
| 13 | Tim & Lori Ard | 5 | - | - | 6.92 |
| 14 | John & Susan Mills | 5 | - | - | 6.89 |
| 15 | Clay & Lisa Kolb | 5 | - | - | 5.74 |
| 16 | Benny & Joyce Howell | 4 | - | 1.28 | 5.59 |
| 17 | Bryan & Sharon Waddell | 5 | - | - | 5.51 |
| 18 | Joey & Abbigale Outlaw | 5 | - | - | 5.44 |
| 19 | David Chapman & Brooke Mattison | 5 | - | - | 5.32 |
Everyone has those days on the water when you catch fish, but they all seem to be fanners, or you just never get that kicker you’ve been looking for. Well, thanks to Berkeley Outdoors, one of our generous sponsors, our couples can still get a payday if they weigh in the smallest 5-fish limit. David Chapman and Brooke Mattison were the recipients of the Berkeley Outdoors $50 Smallest Limit Award with 5 bass weighing 5.32-pounds
Thanks to our local sponsors, we can provide drawings for those teams that do not earn a paycheck.
The South Carolina ABA Couples Trail is honored to be sponsored by ALX Rods, Berkeley Outdoors, Berkley Baits, Choo Choo Custom Lures, Five Bass Tackle, JC’s Outdoors, Kissel Krafts Custom Rods, Lew’s, McElveen, Mule Skinner Baits, Phantom Outdoors, StrikeKing, and Yo-zuri.
Looking Ahead
The next event for the South Carolina Division 11 trail will take place on November 15th out of Siesta Cove Marina on Lake Murray. Stay tuned for more exciting action and updates.
For more information about the South Carolina American Bass Anglers Couples Series and upcoming events, visit the Facebook page: South Carolina ABA Couples Trail.
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 with an optional $10 big bass and the top teams are invited to compete in the championship each fall.
About American Bass Anglers
American Bass Anglers is proud to be sponsored by Mercury Marine, T-H Marine, Power Pole, and WattCycle Batteries.
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 please visit www.americanbassanglers.com or call (256) 232-0406.
