CLEMSON, S.C. (April 20, 2009) - Jeff Coble of Manson, N.C., won the Bass Fishing League Savannah River Division bass fishing tournament on Lake Hartwell Saturday with a five-bass catch weighing 19 pounds, 8 ounces. The victory earned Coble $4,315 and placed him one step closer to qualifying for the Lake Norman Regional Championship in Lake Norman, N.C., Oct. 22-24, where he could ultimately win a new Ranger boat and a Chevy truck.
"It was not an easy day. There were a lot of different tournaments going on that day and too many boats on the water," said Coble. "Everyone was trying to find their own spot. All the fish were in the coves trying to spawn and everyone was trying to fish those. So finding a cove that wasn't being fished in was difficult."
Coble caught his limit throwing a swim bait and a green pumpkin soft plastic worm.
Rounding out the top five boaters are Darren Ashley of Calhoun Falls, S.C. (5 bass, 18-6, $2,157); Brandon Cobb of Greenwood, S.C. (5 bass, 17-8, $1,439); Bill Harvey of Grovetown, Ga. (5 bass, 17-7, $1,007) and Troy Morrow of Toccoa, Ga. (5 bass, 17-1, $827).
Darren Ashley took home the Boater Division Big Bass award, earning $610 for a 7-pound bass he caught.
Greg Glouse of Easley, S.C., earned $2,157 as the co-angler winner Saturday thanks to 5 bass weighing 17 pounds, 11 ounces.
Rounding out the top five co-anglers are Darren Jeter of Marshall, N.C. (5 bass, 16-8, $1,079); Brad Surett of Travelers Rest, S.C. (5 bass, 14-12, $717); Matt Deufel of Augusta, Ga. (5 bass, 13-14, $503); and John Hyatt of Leicester, N.C. (5 bass, 13-12, $431).
Brad Surett earned $305 as the co-angler Big Bass winner after catching a 6-pound, 4-ounce bass.
The next Savannah River Division event will be held on the Lake Russell in Elberton, Ga., May 9.