LAVONIA, Ga. (March 11, 2013) – Chris Nelson of Social Circle, Ga., weighed a five-bass limit totaling 18 pounds, 13 ounces Saturday to win the Bass Fishing League Savannah River Division tournament on Lake Hartwell. For his victory, Nelson earned $5,519.
Rounding out the top 10 pros were:
2nd: Jerry Kotal, Elberton, Ga., five bass, 18-4, $2,760
3rd: Jim Smith, Bowersville, Ga., five bass, 18-3, $1,837
4th: Mike Cooper, Easley, S.C., five bass, 17-8, $1,288
5th: Josh Dorr, Pickens, S.C., five bass, 16-6, $1,104
6th: Brock Taylor, Pendleton, S.C., five bass, 16-2, $1,012
7th: Jonathan Botts, Abbeville, S.C., five bass, 15-7, $920
8th: Randy Childers, Anderson, S.C., five bass, 15-5, $828
9th: Michael Turner, Hartwell, Ga., five bass, 15-2, $736
10th: Jody Hughes, Baldwin, Ga., five bass, 15-1, $644
Bryan Cothran of Belton, S.C., weighed in four bass totaling 14 pounds, 10 ounces Saturday to win $2,760 in the co-angler division. Rounding out the top 10 co-anglers were:
2nd: Michael Gula, Greer, S.C., five bass, 14-7, $1,380
3rd: Jeff Penland, Leicester, N.C., four bass, 12-0, $918
4th: Carl Freeman, Fairview, N.C., five bass, 11-12, $644
5th: Adam Fincher, Roebuck, S.C., three bass, 11-4, $552
6th: Willard Berry Smith Jr., Anderson, S.C., five bass, 10-12, $506
7th: Carl Chavis, Fort Mill, S.C., five bass, 10-11, $460
8th: Derek Freeman, Anderson, S.C., four bass, 10-10, $414
9th: Darren Jeter, Marshall, N.C., five bass, 10-8, $345
9th: Tim Whitaker, Fairview, N.C., four bass, 10-8, $345
The next BFL Savannah River Division tournament is scheduled for April 6 on Lake Russell in Elberton, Ga. After that tournament is complete, the top 40 boaters and 40 co-anglers based on point standings will qualify for the Oct. 10-12 Regional Championship on Lake Lanier in Gainesville, Ga. Boaters will compete for a top award of a Ranger Z518 with a 200-horsepower Evinrude or Mercury outboard and a Chevy Silverado, while co-anglers will fish for a new Ranger Z518 with a 200-horsepower Evinrude or Mercury outboard.