March 7, 2026, Cross, SC – Tom and Missy Bancroft emerged as the winning team at the sixth tournament of the American Bass Anglers Couples Series, South Carolina Division 11, held on the beautiful Santee Cooper Lakes. 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.
Tom and Missy, the South Carolina Couples Directors, delivered an impressive performance, securing first place with a total weight of 22.26-pounds. The team credited their success to targeting shallow water bass in the Hatchery. Their techniques included sight fishing for pre-spawning and spawning bass as well as fan casting to key areas including stumps and lily pad stems. The lily pad stems indicated hard bottom that the fish were related to. Their standout catch included Men’s Big Bass with Tom’s 6.63-pound catch and earned them $550 and 196 points for first place and $80 for Men’s Big Bass.
In second place, Zach Garner and Ashlyn Gordon brought in a total of 19.33 pounds earning them $350 and 195 points. Their catch included Ashlyn’s 4.36-pound bass which tied with Lexi Moncus’ catch for Lady’s Big Bass. Ashlyn and Lexi split the Lady’s Big Bass $80 prize. Zach and Ashlyn found big females staging up to spawn in about 12’ of water during practice but the bite died off early, so when tournament day was delayed by fog, they decided to put the trolling motor on high and fish grass lines and bedding fish.
Ben and Ashley Sutton took third place with 5 fish weighing 17.78-pounds, earning the team $200 and 194 points. Without practice for the event, Ben and Ashley just fished the bank and found a spot where the bass came up and caught two on minnows. They finished out their limit catching bedding fish.
Tucker and Bella Veronee took fourth place with 5 fish weighing 14.65-pounds, earning them $100 and 193 points. Tucker and Bella targeted fish in front of spawning areas in the lower lake in 6’ to 8’ of water on a jerkbait.
Lady’s Big Bass was awarded to Ashlyn Gordon & Lexi Moncus. Each angler weighed a 4.36 -pound bass and split the $80 prize.
Men’s Big Bass was awarded to Tom Bancroft for his 6.63-pound catch earning $80.
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. Harry and Kim Johnson were the recipients of the Berkeley Outdoors $50 Smallest Limit Award with 5 bass weighing 10.61-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, Five Bass Tackle, JC’s Outdoors, Kissel Krafts Custom Rods, Lew’s, McElveen, Phantom Outdoors, StrikeKing, and Yo-zuri.
Looking Ahead
The next event for the South Carolina Division 11 trail will take place March 21st out of South Cove on Lake Keowee. 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 and the top teams are invited to compete in the championship each fall.
About American Bass Anglers
American Bass Anglers, committed to providing low-cost, close-to-home tournaments, offers an exciting platform for individual angler progression. With the support of industry-leading companies, ABA continues to advance the sport of bass fishing.
For more information about the American Fishing Tour and other series, visit www.americanbassanglers.com or call (256) 232-0406.
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, please visit www.americanbassanglers.com or call (256) 232-0406.
