Summerton, SC – The Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) event on Santee Cooper Lakes saw outstanding performances from anglers across the region, including Lancaster’s Troy Crippen, who secured an impressive third-place finish in the co-angler division.
Crippen demonstrated his fishing expertise by landing three bass totaling 10 pounds, 11 ounces, earning him $480 in prize money. His strong showing placed him among the top competitors in a highly competitive field.
The event, hosted by the Clarendon County Chamber of Commerce, also featured record-breaking catches. Boater Brent Riley of Cross, South Carolina, took first place with a five-bass limit weighing 35 pounds, 3 ounces, marking one of the heaviest limits in BFL history. Additionally, Gary Pope of Georgetown, South Carolina, tied the BFL record for the largest bass ever weighed, reeling in a 13-pound, 6-ounce catch.
The top 10 co-anglers finished:
1st: Chuck Bagwell, Laurens, S.C., three bass, 11-2, $1,445
2nd: Bobby Smith, Asheville, N.C., three bass, 11-0, $722
3rd: Troy Crippen, Lancaster, S.C., three bass, 10-11, $480
5th: Nathan Sipes, Laurens, S.C., three bass, 10-4, $289
6th: Davy Goodman, Sumter, S.C., three bass, 9-6, $265
7th: Roger McKee, Columbia, S.C., two bass, 8-10, $406
8th: Tim Chadwick, Mount Pleasant, S.C., two bass, 8-9, $217
9th: Thomas Pennell III, Boiling Springs, S.C., three bass, 8-3, $193
10th: Joshua Brogden, Sumter, S.C., three bass, 8-1, $169
The top 10 boaters finished the tournament:
1st: Brent Riley, Cross, S.C., five bass, 35-3, $2,890
2nd: James Gibbons, Timmonsville, S.C., five bass, 31-3, $1,445
3rd: Lucas Murphy, West Columbia, S.C., five bass, 27-12, $1,464 (includes $500 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus)
4th: Kyle Austin, Ridgeville, S.C., five bass, 27-11, $674
5th: Chad Sims, Lancaster, S.C., five bass, 26-11, $578
6th: Robert Clarke III, Pineville, S.C., five bass, 26-5, $530
7th: Gary Pope, Georgetown, S.C., four bass, 25-10, $812
8th: Wendell Causey Jr., Irmo, S.C., five bass, 24-11, $433
9th: Lane Clark, Anderson, S.C., five bass, 23-6, $385
10th: Sandy Montgomery, Irmo, S.C., five bass, 21-13, $337
For a complete list of results and more information on upcoming events, visit the Major League Fishing website:MajorLeagueFishing.com.
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Thomas Hyslip lives in Tega Cay with his wife and daughter. After 27 years in the U.S. Army and Federal Law Enforcement, he retired to pursue his passion for teaching. Tom is now an Assistant Professor of Instruction at the University of South Florida. In 2 short years he has won 10 awards from the South Carolina Press Association, including first place in column writing, education beat reporting and best podcast.
