Phillip Anderson of Saluda, South Carolina won the Ram AFT South Carolina D96 1-day qualifier event held December 4, 2016 on Lake Russell, running out of the Hwy 72 Ramp near Calhoun Falls, South Carolina. Phillip caught five fish weighing 11.59 pounds. He caught his fish with a jig fishing rocks and a spinnerbait on the upper part of the lake. Phillip won first place and first place option for a total of $466.

Jonathan Botts was second with five fish weighing 10.15 pounds. His fish came on a drop shot rig in the mid lake area in 20 to 30 feet of water. Jonathan took home $232 for second place and second place option.

Phil Morris took the big fish pot with a 4.29 pound spotted bass. He won $60 for Big Fish.
The most productive lures for this one were spinnerbaits, crankbaits, jigs, shakey heads, spoons and drop shot rigs. The big fish was taken on a spinnerbait.

This day was one of those raw miserable days with rain all day and temps not getting out of the mid 40s. The wind started out at 10 mph from the NE and by mid morning was at 20 mph out of the N. The temperature started at 42 degrees and was at 44 degrees for the 3pm weigh-in. The lake was clear and full. Twelve anglers fished despite the weather.

Top 5 finishers:
1. Phillip Anderson    11.59 lbs
2. Jonathan Botts      10.15 lbs
3. John Wilson          9.89 lbs
4. B.J. Ballard           9.55 lbs
5. Don Kneece          8.15 lbs

The next D96 tournament qualifier for Division 96 (2017 Season) will be January 8, 2017 on Lake Greenwood out of Greenwood State Park near Ninety Six, SC.

For more information contact D96 Director, Phil Morris, at (864)993-0346; email [email protected], or call ABA at (256) 232-0406. On-line, see www.americanbassanglers.com or www.aba-sc.com for complete results. Also check out our facebook page at D96 American Fishing Tour.

These anglers are earning valuable points toward the divisional angler of the year title. The points champion from each division will compete in the annual Ram American Bass Anglers AFT Angler of the Year Final Round at the Ram American Fishing Tour National Championship.