“We’ve never fished a bass tournament this late in the year,” said Gerken, president of The Bass Federation of South Carolina which is holding the tournament, “but we are optimistic about it.”

Gerken said the Mr. Lake Murray tournament was held the third week of September the previous four years, but this year all the launch sites on the lake were booked in September and then right on through the fall. Dec. 6 was the earliest date available at Dreher Island State Park.

But he expects a good turnout and hopes the later date will result in an even bigger turnout for the annual tournament.

“In the past we’ve never quite made 100 boats; we’ve usually had about 60 or 70 boats entered,” he said. “But, if we get to 100 boats we will pay $5,000 to first place.”

Interest appears to be up this year, he noted, thanks to some local radio promotions.

“We’ve got a lot of calls and that is a good sign,” he said. “We are about the only thing happening this time of year so we are not competing with anybody.”

Entry fee is $140 in advance or $150 at the ramp the morning of the tournament. Gerken said the tournament payback will go to 20 percent of the field, one spot for every five boats.

Fishing could be good or it could be tough, he said.

“There was a little mid-week tournament this past week and it took 16 pounds to win it. We hop we will find the fish feeding up for the winter by tournament time. We’ve not had that real cold spell yet.”

Gerken said the tournament is held each year as a fundraiser for TBFSC and as a membership drive for the organization.

“It’s an open tournament so we are hoping to draw some new members in out of it,” he said. “Guys will have to make a decision on tournament day between deer hunting and bass fishing.”

 

5th Annual Mr Lake Murray Bass Tournament

Sat, Dec 6, 2014

Lake Murray

Dreher Island State Park

Call 201-772-6401

www.tbfofsc.com