Freeman, Farmer win night tournament on Lake Murray

Winners’ only five keeper were still enough for lopsided win

Samuel Freeman of Pomaria teamed up with Columbia’s Scott Farmer to win the July 23 Buddy’s Marine Tuesday Night Tournament on Lake Murray with a 5-fish limit weighing 16.48 pounds.

Freeman, who fishes for the University of South Carolina’s bass-fishing team, said he and Farmer did not cull a single fish.

“We caught five fish, but that was all it took,” he said. They won the tournament by more than three pounds and took home over $400 for their win.

Fishing out of Larry Koon Landing, Freeman and Carmer caught their fish around mid-lake points and brushpiles, primarily using soft plastics. Their limit was anchored by a 5.37-pound lunker that took the tournament’s big-fish prize.

The Lexington team of Charles Wilkie and Ryan Raley took second place with 12.87 pounds, winning $300, followed by Andy Sease of Gilbert and Leesville’s Bo Dixon, who teamed up for third with 11.45 to win $240. Phillip Anderson and Russ Padgeett, both of Saluda, took fourth, weighing in five bass for 10.63 and winning $180. Dean Chapman of Leesville and Les Westberry Neeses rounded out the top five with 10.29 pounds, good for $90 in winnings.

Stone, Bensel Qualify for B.A.S.S. High School Classic

Dixie High School’s Ben Stone and Christopher Bensel qualified for the 2014 B.A.S.S. High School Classic by taking eighth place in the July 20 B.A.S.S. High School Invitational on Alabama’s Lake Wheeler.

The duo will represent South Carolina in the High School Classic in Birmingham, which will be held in conjunction with the Bassmaster Classic which will be held in Birmingham in February.

Stone and Bensel secured their spot in the Classic with 11.50 pounds by using Shakey heads and crankbaits in the lake’s main channel.

OTHER TOURNAMENTS

B.A.S.S. Kids Charity Tournament, July 27, Lake Greenwood

1. Keith Ashley (Greenwood)-Kevin Ashley (Greenwood), 17.16, $1,000; 2. Stephen Franklin (Greenwood)-Russ Hamilton (Greenwood), 17.01, $500; 3. Kameron Harbin (Abbeville)-Ben Stone (Donalds), 16.78, $400; 4. Daniel Howell (Pelzer)-George Berry (Batesburg), 16.11, $200; 5. Jeff Woods (Waterloo)-Kevin Knotts (Cross Hill), 15.93, $100. Big Fish: Matt West (Newberry), 6.50, $390.

Cooper River Bassmasters Club Tournament, July 27, Cooper River

1. Jason Reinke (North Charleston), 9.15, $300; 2. Bryan Scroggs (Moncks Corner), 8.93, $225; 3. Bob Letizi (Moncks Corner), 7.49, $160; 4. Derrick Nixon (Mt. Pleasant), 6.33, $80; 5. Ferris Jennings (Charleston), 4.38, $42. Big Fish: Jason Reinke, 3.96, $80.

Lugoff Bassmasters Club Tournament, July 13, Lake Murray

1. Gene Gibbs (Columbia), 10.02, $260, 2. Dale Goff (Lugoff), 7.67, $245; 3. Darrell Munn (Camden), 6.81, $210; 4. John Marshall (Lugoff), 5.06, $175; 5. Earnie Jones (Blythewood), 1.97, $160. Big Fish: Dale Goff, 4.39, $50.

Lake Wylie Thursday Tournament Trail, July 25, Lake Wylie

1. Rick Carson (Gastonia)-James Clemmons (Columbia), 13.23, $225; 2. Keith Porter (Chester)-Mike Allman (Chester), 12.28, $120; 3. Brian Holder (Gastonia, N.C.)-Daniel Whitesides (Lake Wylie), 12.14, $80; 4. Ben Ruebel (Shelby, N.C.)-Walt Brysick (Kings Mountain, N.C.), 11.68, $40; 5. Phillip Burke (York)-Andy Beechly (Abbeville), 10.69, $40. Big Fish: Carson-Clemmons, 4.79, $100