Anglers Anticipate Lake Murray Bass Tournaments

by

A. Lanteigne

Lake Murray is one of South Carolina s most popular fishing destinations. The lake, with its more than 600 miles of shoreline, is located in the midlands near Columbia. Anglers come from across the Southeast to fish for largemouth, smallmouth, and striped bass. Here are some of the upcoming bass tournaments scheduled for 2013.

The Bass Federation (TBF) of South Carolina has tournaments scheduled for January 26 and May 18. The ramp for both tournaments will be Dreher Island State Park, near the town of Prosperity. The tournament is open to TBF of SC members, with an entry fee of $125 for boaters and $75 for co-anglers. Partners are paired by computer draw. Anglers are allowed to fish for largemouth, smallmouth, spotted, and redeye bass.

A FLW Walmart Bass Fishing League Tournament (SC Division) will be held on March 2. FLW is one of the premier tournament organizers in the country. Entry fee is $200 for boaters and $100 for co-anglers. This tournament will also be run out of the Dreher Island State Park Marina.

American Bass Anglers American Fishing Tournaments (AFT) offer fishermen the opportunity to compete for big prize money and points. The top 500 anglers in the country are invited to participate in the AFT National Championship each year. Their Toyota Tundra Bass Master Weekend Series holds divisional tournaments. One is scheduled for Lake Murray on February 16 out of Dreher Island Marina. The entry fee is $200 for boaters and $100 for co-anglers. With a minimum of 100 boaters and 100 co-anglers, the payout could be $6000 for the 1st place boater and $3000 for the 1st place co-angler. ABA membership is required. An ABA Couples Series Tournament is scheduled for May 18 on Lake Murray. Teams are comprised of one male and one female ages 14 and older. Teams must fish together throughout the season in order to qualify for the Championship tournament.

Carolina Bass Challenge is a fairly new team bass tournament trail with big prize money. A SC Division tournament on Lake Murray is scheduled for February 9. Entry fee is $200, and $8000 is guaranteed to the 1st place qualifier. The big fish winner at each event wins $1000. Teams may compete for a new Skeeter boat with a Yamaha outboard motor.

Carolina Anglers Team Trail (CATT) has monthly tournaments on Lake Murray out of Dreher Island. Spring tournaments will be February 2, March 9, and April 6. The Spring CATT final will be May 11. Fall tournaments are scheduled for October 5 and November 9, with the Fall final on December 7. Cash prizes are awarded.

Several local fishing clubs also have tournaments on Lake Murray. The Lake Murray Seniors Bass Club holds monthly tournaments for men ages 55 and older on the 3rd Thursday. The Midlands Striper Club is a family oriented club that holds tournaments on the 3rd Saturday of the month. Many of their tournaments run out of Spinner s Marina near Leesville, South Carolina.

Ambria Lanteigne is the General Manager at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites

Newberry SC Hotel

. They are conveniently located at exit 76 off of I-26, about 30 minutes north of Columbia and less than an hour south of Greenville, SC. This Newberry South Carolina hotel has outstanding amenities, including an indoor pool, whirlpool and Fitness Center. For more information visit: http://www.NEWBERRYSOUTHCAROLINAHOTEL.COM

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Anglers Anticipate Lake Murray Bass Tournaments