Stephens, New team for bass win on Lake Wylie

Winners cover a lot of shallow water with multiple lures for $2,025 win

Mike Stephens and Bryan New overcome some brutal winds on March 16 to win the inaugural Anglers@USC Bass Open on Lake Wylie with a catch of five bass that weighed 18.25 pounds. The win over a field of 81 teams was worth $2,025.

Fresh off a big win on Lake Wylie in the Carolinas Bass Classic earlier this month, Stephens had no trouble convincing New to stick to the same tactics he and a different partner had used in that tournament. The two fished mostly shallow water with a variety of lures, including Stanford Razor crankbaits, Brian Huskins’ spinnerbaits, and Pier Assassin jigs.

“It was absolutely a grind,” Stephens said. “We only culled twice and caught maybe nine or 10 fish, total,” he said.

Grady Oliver and Mike Jennings won $1,012 for their second-place finish with a 5-fish limit weighed 18.22 pounds. Larry Lehew and Trey Lehew were third with 17.5 and took home $675; Shawn Wallace teamed up with Jody Pridemore for fourth with 16.3 for $607; and Jeff Ozmon and Cory Mahaffey rounded out the top five with 16.23 pounds, winning $540.

Zack Davis and Hampton Anderson took big-fish honors with a 6.92-pounder that netted them $876.

BASS TOURNAMENTS

Rocky Creek Bass Anglers, Tournament 3, Lake Murray, March 16

1. Johnathan Crossland-David Crossland (West Columbia), 19.34, $500; 2. Eric McDowell (Lexington)-Jason Pelfrey (Columbia), 18.71, $200; 3. Leonard Moore (Columbia)-Ronnie Crapps (Irmo), 17.5, $75.

The Bass Federation of South Carolina, Santee Cooper, March 16

Boaters

1. Robert Rickard (Columbia), 13.31, $760; 2. Nelson Walker (Manning), 12.9, $455; 3. Calvin Hewitt (Cope), 12.71, $300; 4. Bill Payne (Columbia), 9.96, $0, 5. Rich Gerken (Prosperity), 7.96, $0. Non-Boaters1. Jasper Hodge (Lexington), 16.08, $440; 2. Nathan Nienhius (Lexington), 7.28, $290.

Carolina Anglers Team Trail, Santee, March 161.

Todd and Patrick Walters (Summerville), 22.61, $1380; 2. Joe Avin (Summerton)-Larry Avins (Pinewood), 22.22, $430; 3. Chris Brunson (Sumter), 22.08, $434; 4. Jody Revels (Rock Hill)-David Oxendine (Rock Hill), 19.6, $210; 5. Ed and Eddie Paul (Manning), 18.24, $180.

Carolina Anglers Team Trail, Lake Wateree, March 16

1. Craig and Tim Haven (Lugoff), 25.22, $1280; 2. David Ethridge (Camden)-Butch Williams (Lugoff), 23.27, $400; 3. Barry Holloman (Timmonsville)-Joey Bramlett (Darlington), 23.21, $300; 4. Jimmy McFarland (Hartsville)-Calvin Griggs (Hartsville), 23.07, $200; 5. Toney Truett (Sumter)-Mark Healon (Sumter), 22.54, $120.

March of Dimes Benefit Tournament, Lake Keowee, March 16

1. Jody Jones (Spartanburg)-Eric Grigg (North Carolina), 17.95, $600; 2. Bob Brown (Walhalla)-John Hansen (Seneca), 15.87, $250, 3. Jason Youngblood (Pelzer)-Andy Burgess (Travelers Rest), 14.17, $150.

STRIPED BASS TOURNAMENTS

Midlands Striper Club Breast Cancer Benefit, Lake Murray, March 16

1. Rick Kellemeyer (Chapin), 30.25 lbs; 2. Anthony Johnson (Lexington), 28.80; 3. Terry Caulder (Lexington), 26.55; 4. Joby Wetzel (Columbia), 23.03; Townsend Wessinger (Newberry), 22.38.