SENECA, S.C. (March 16, 2009) - Jayme Rampey of Liberty, S.C., won the Bass Fishing League Savannah River Division bass fishing tournament on Lake Keowee Saturday with a five-bass catch weighing 15 pounds, 9 ounces. The victory earned Rampey $4,385 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.
"I have fished up there a lot, so I had an idea I was in the top three," said Rampey. "I was happy to win it!"
Rampey caught his limit by 9:30 a.m. fishing points and pockets with a Tru-Trac spinnerbait and a jig.
Rounding out the top five boaters are Sandy Thornton of Elberton, Ga. (five bass, 13-1, $2,393); Mark Gibson of Seneca, S.C. (five bass, 12-7, $1,463); Chris Baxter of Winder, Ga. (five bass, 12-2, $1,023) and Randy Childers of Anderson, S.C. (five bass, 11-8, $877).
Sandy Thornton took home the Boater Division Big Bass award, earning $620 for a 6-pound, 14-ounce bass he caught.
Lesley Childers of Anderson, S.C., earned $2,193 as the co-angler winner Saturday thanks to five bass weighing 11 pounds that she caught.
Rounding out the top five co-anglers are Chad Silver of Leicester, N.C. (five bass, 10-3, $1,096); Heather Broom of Sylva, N.C. (five bass, 10-2, $730); Greg Glouse of Easley, S.C. (five bass, 9-6, $512); and Stephen Reasoner of Harlem, Ga. (five bass, 8-15, $439).
Robbie McHone earned $310 as the co-angler Big Bass winner after catching a 4-pound, 1-ounce bass.
The next Savannah River Division event will be held on the Lake Hartwell in Clemson, S.C., April 18.