April 8th was a beautiful day for South Carolina Couples.  Storms and high winds earlier in the week settled down for a pleasant Saturday.  All the twenty-four teams caught fish.  114 fish were weighed with 100% released to be caught again.

Hanna and T.J. Souther claimed first place honors with 5 fish weighing 16.1 pounds.  Their sack was anchored by Hanna’s Tournament and Ladies Big Bass at 5.1 pounds.  Her fish was caught on her third cast of the day with a topwater bait.  Hanna, a fourth grade teacher, mentioned that “the boys” in her class thought it quite special that she was going to fish in a bass tournament.   She’s now sure to impress the whole class with her success.

Debbie and Bob Brown took second place with a 5-fish sack at 12.0 pounds.  Their fish were caught fishing “humps” with swim baits and Senkos.

Victoria and Dale Goff places third place with a 5-fish limit weighing 11.8 pounds.  Their better fish were caught early.  Victoria and Dale spent the day “hitting banks with plastic.”  They also brought some awesome sweet treats for everyone to enjoy at registration and weigh-in.

Shianne Parker and Joe Anders took the fourth spot with an 11.4 pound limit.  They caught their fish with shakey-heads in depths ranging from 5 to 15 feet.  The fish in their hefty sack were all spotted bass.

Chuck Padgett caught the Men’s Big Bass.  His 4.1 pounder came on his third cast of the day with a Zoom Fluke.

The generosity of local sponsors allowed several more teams to go home as winners.  Thanks to Yo-Zuri, Cabelas, Strickland Marine, Weeble Lures, Yeti, Jervey Eye Group and Greenville’s BoneFish Grill.

Several South Carolina teams enjoyed a Friday night dinner at Seneca’s Applebee’s restaurant, and several teams also had an early dinner at El Alazan Mexican Restaurant after Saturday’s weigh-in.

Welcome to three new South Carolina Couples teams:
– Emileigh Forrest and Dillon Simmons, Taylors and Pickens, SC
– Shianne Parker and Joe Anders, Spartanburg and Easley, SC
– Hannah and T.J. Souther, Brevard, North Carolina

The South Carolina division’s next tournament will be on May 20 on Lake Russell, out of Richard B. Russel State Park.

All ABA American Couples Series events involve a team format with each team composed of one man and one woman. Although many married couples compete together as teams, some teams consist of boyfriend and girlfriend combinations, parent-child combinations or just two friends. Contestants between 12 and 18 years old may participate with a parent’s written permission.

The top angling couples from across the nation earn the right to compete in the annual American Bass Anglers Couples Series National Championship tournament.

American Bass Anglers commitment is to provide 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 and the American Fishing Tour, The Ram Truck Open Series, or the American Couples Series, visit www.americanbassanglers.com or call (256)232-0406.