Gray Court angler wins on Thurmond

Christie’s Carolina rig too much for ABA field

Fishing the lower part of Lake Thurmond, Steve Christie of Gray Court won the June 2 ABA tournament, besting 27 other anglers in the one-day event.

Christie caught a 5-fish limit, bringing them all to the boat on Carolina-rigged trick worms. Despite his original weight of 19.62 pounds dropping to 18.12 after three of his fish were dead at the weigh-in, Christie finished first and pocketed $688. He squeaked past William Hooker of Appling, Ga., whose 17.68-pound second-place stringer included the tournament’s big fish, a 7.18-pounder. Hooker won a total of $562, including $135 for the big fish.

Don Kneece of Saluda finished third and won $129 for his 15.68-pound stringer, while Chris Hadden of Augusta took fourth with 13.30, winning $104. Chad Brounkowski of Greenwood finished fifth with 13.05.

OTHER TOURNAMENTS

Helping Hooks Benefit Tournament, June 1, Lake Hartwell

1. Scott Mainwaring-Nick Sperdious, 14.96, $680; 2. Jim Sanders-Charles Murphy, 14.67, $420; 3. Greg Glouse-Joe Anders, 13.53, $300. Big Fish: Jeff Fowler, 5.11.

CATT, June 1, Savannah River

1. Don Martin (Spartanburg)-Monte Misplay (Greenwood), 8.31, $543; 2. Ken Morgan -Al Carlisle (Sylvania, Ga), 7.01, $140; 3. Barry Descaro-Romain Descaro (Charleston), 6.78, $27; 4. Richard Boatright-Mike Markovic (Summerville), 6.06; 5. Michael Hurt (York)-Humberto Guerrero (Rock Hill), 5.25. Big Fish: Martin-Misplay, 3.01, $100.

ABA American Fishing Tour, May 18, Santee Cooper

1. Bradford Beavers (Ridgeville), 23.83, $463; 2. Charles Boyte (Columbia), 15.63, $201; 3. Calvin Hewitt (Cope), 14.31, $71; 4. Daniel Howell (Starr), 10.13, $0; 5. Pat Vance (Sumter), 7.11, $0. Big Fish: Beavers, 6.10, $100.

Thursday Night Tournament Trail, May 30, Lake Wylie1. Russ Winters (Rock Hill)-David Winters (Rock Hill), 16.44, $350; 2. Adam Fillmore (Upstate)-Matt Queen (Blacksburg), 14.08, $200; 3. Rob Digh (Denver, N.C.)-Bob Furstenberg (Shelby, N.C.), 13.76, $120; 4. Mike Perry (Rock Hill), 12.50, $100; 5. Jay Adams (Charlotte, N.C.), 12.48. Big Fish: Digh-Furstenberg, 4.10, $100.