“In a tournament last weekend it took about 25 pounds to win,” said Kevin Rake, a BWS pro staffer who lives near Lake Murray. In fact, it took 24.78 pounds for first place in the Carolinas Bass Challenge qualifier on Lake Murray last Saturday and the top 12 teams had over 20 pounds. The CBC paid through 33^rd place which had over 15 pounds.

“The fish are starting to move up on the points real good,” said Rake. “You can catch them on crankbaits and some guys are catching them on spinnerbaits and jerkbaits.”

Rake said the fishing is a little better up the rivers, but anglers have to know the water up there to fish it effectively.

“Generally, down the lake they are starting to move up on secondary points and moving back in the creeks. They are not far back in the creeks yet. It is just a matter of finding the right point,” he said.

“If the weather holds fishing should be good this weekend,”

Billy Benedetti, BWS tournament manager, said he expects 50 to 60 boats to fish the tournament, “maybe more.”

Getting a fix on how many anglers have registered has been hard because the computers have been down at their headquarters, he said.

“Registration will be held from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Friday at Dreher Island State Park with the meeting to follow at 7 p.m.,” he said.

The anglers are fishing both for money and for the opportunity to advance to higher levels of competition, said Benedetti, who noted that the payback is based on the number of boats entered.

“The goal for these anglers is to make it all the way to the National Championship and on to the 2014 Bassmaster Classic. A win in the BWS National Championship would bring the pro angler $100,000 and a win for a co-angler would mean $50,000, Benedetti said.

Bassmaster Weekend Series – South Carolina Division

Sat, Feb 16, 2013

Lake Murray

Dreher Island State Park

Call Billy Benedetti 256-230-5632

www.abaproam.com