ATHENS, Ala. – Matthew Mollohan of Prosperity, South Carolina won the American Bass Anglers Open Series event held 2/17/2018 on Lake Murray. Running out of Dreher Island State Park in Prosperity, South Carolina, Matt weighed in a five-bass limit weighing 23.22 pounds anchored by a bass that weighed in at 8.17 pounds. For the win Matt took home a check for $5000.00. Also, for being a member of the Triton Gold program Mollohan qualified for an additional $500.00 in Triton Gold monies and $500.00 in Mercury bonus monies.

“I caught my big fish first thing in the morning on a crankbait. The rest of the fish I caught came on a football head jig anywhere from 5 to 25 feet. I think the cold front pulled them out a little. I adjusted my depth about midday to deeper water and caught some key fish,” said Mollohan.

In second for the boaters Chris Marshall of Forest City, North Carolina landed a five-bass limit weighing 21.97 pounds. Chris took home a check for $1000.00 for the effort.

“I caught probably 7-8 fish today. I caught one on a crankbait and I lost one that probably cost me the win. The rest of my catch came on a jig fishing shallow,” said Marshall.

Jerry Pelfrey of Laurens, South Carolina took third for the boaters with a five-bass limit weighing 21.45 pounds. Pelfrey’s limit was anchored by a bass that weighed in at 8.71 pounds. Pelfrey earned $650.00 for his catch. Also, for having the biggest bass weighed in for the boaters Pelfrey earned an additional $550.00.

“I caught probably 8-10 fish today and lost two six pounders. All my fish came on a jerkbait in a cove I found that had some wind blowing into it,” said Pelfrey.

In fourth place for the boaters Thomas Guthke of Anderson, South Carolina weighed in a five bass limit for 21.17 pounds and rounding out the top five Gary Michaud weighed in a five bass limit for 19.03 pounds.

In the Co-Angler Division Lonnie Drusch of Sumter, South Carolina weighed in a three-bass limit weighing an impressive 15.25 pounds. His catch was anchored by a bass weighing 7.16 pounds. Lonnie took home a check for $1200.00 for the win. He also collected an additional $210.00 for weighing in the largest bass caught by a co-angler.

“I want to thank my boater Joey Spradley, for finding the fish today. I caught probably seven bass today all on a shakeyhead,” said Drusch.

Taking second for the co-anglers, Rodney Tapp of North Augusta, South Carolina brought in a three bass co-angler limit weighing 11.39 pounds. He collected $500.00 for the effort.

“I Caught probably 7 bass today all on a crankbait in 3-5 feet of water,” said Tapp.

Dylan Ballard of Canon, Georgia placed third among the co-anglers with three-bass weighing 10.34 pounds. He earned $350.00 for the effort.

“I Caught three keepers today all on a jig in various depths,” said Ballard.

In fourth among the co-anglers Simeon O’Meara of North Augusta, South Carolina weighed in three-bass that weighed 10.00 pounds and rounding out the top five was Kevin Dye of West Union, South Carolina with three- bass weighing 9.76 pounds.

Slated for April 21, 2018 the next South Carolina tournament will be held on Lake Hartwell out of the Green Pond Landing in Anderson, South Carolina.

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 Open Series, the American Fishing Tour or the American Couples Series, visit www.americanbassanglers.com.