Randy Childers of Anderson, South Carolina won the American Bass Anglers Ram Truck Open Series South Carolina tournament, held Date on Lake Keowee.

Running out of South Cove County Park near Seneca, South Carolina, Randy caught five bass weighing 17.06 pounds. He anchored his bag with a 3.86-pound kicker. For the Boater division victory, Childers took home a check for $5,000.

“It was a tough day. I caught seven fish all day but all were keepers. I caught fish shallow, mid depth and deep. Most of my fish were caught on a jig and a jigging spoon.” stated Childers.

In second for the Boaters, Andy Wicker of Pomaria, South Carolina landed a five-bass tournament limit weighing 13.76 pounds. He collected $1,575 for the effort. “It was slow. I didn’t catch my first fish until 10:30. I caught all my fish off of docks within a 2 mile area. Most were caught on a jig and a shakeyhead.” Wicker said.

Darren Ashley of Calhoun Falls, South Carolina took third for the Boaters with five bass weighing 13.21 pounds earning $1050. “I fished shallow, four foot or less. I caught seven bass and broke off one. I caught my fish on a swimbait.” stated Ashley.

Finishing fourth, Edward Singleton of Anderson, South Carolina landed a five-bass limit for 13.03 pounds.

Daniel Atkins of Anderson, South Carolina rounded out the top five Boaters with five bass at 13.02 pounds.

The biggest bass for the boaters was caught by Steve DeBord of Grovetown, Georgia
weighing 4.93 pounds. DeBord took home $755.

In the Co-Angler division, Tony Hudson of Liberty, South Carolina won with three bass weighing 7.16 pounds. He pocketed a check for $1200.

“I probably caught ten fish today. I culled four times and our last stop produced two good fish. I caught my fish on a dropshot and a shakeyhead. We were fishing 20-50 feet deep.” stated Hudson.

Taking second for the Co-Anglers, Tyler Thompson of Anderson, South Carolina brought in a three-bass division limit weighing 6.39 pounds. He collected $400 for the effort. “I caught 8-10 fish. Most were caught early and were caught on a Manly Custom Tackle hair jig.” Thompson stated.

Jason Hueble of Whitmore, South Carolina placed third among the Co-Anglers with three bass weighing 6.08 pounds. He pocketed $300 for the effort. “I caught three fish today but they were the right ones. I caught them around docks with a shakeyhead using a junebug trickworm.” said Hueble.

In fourth place among the Co-Anglers, Matthew Guffey of Simpsonville, South Carolina brought in three bass for 5.81 pounds.

Justin DeBose of Anderson, South Carolina finished in fifth place with three bass at 5.79 pounds.

The biggest bass for the Co-Anglers was caught by Jonathan Carter of Greenville, South Carolina that weighed 3.94 pounds. Jonathan pocketed $215.

Slated for February 18th, the next divisional tournament will be held on Lake Murray out of Dreher Island State Park near Prosperity, South Carolina. At the end of the season, the best anglers from across the nation advance the 2017 Ray Scott Championship, slated for Old Hickory Lake in Hendersonville, Tennessee in April of 2017.

For more information on this tournament, call Rodney Michael, tournament manager, at (256)497-0967 or ABA at (256)232-0406. On line, see www.ramopenseries.com.

About American Bass Anglers: American Bass Anglers is committed to providing low cost, close to home tournaments for the weekend angler and at the same time offer each competitor an upward path for individual angler progression. For more information about American Bass Anglers, the Ram Truck Open Series, the American Fishing Tour or the American Couples Series, visit www.americanbassanglers.com.