Local Anglers Place in Top 10 in FLW Bass Tournament

Some local anglers from Northeast Georgia, including two from Stephens County, are among the top 10 winners in last weekend’s FLW Bass Fishing League South Carolina Division tournament.

First place winner was boater Kerry Partain of Elberton.

Partain caught five bass weighing 14 pounds, 14 ounces, to win the tournament Saturday on Lake Hartwell.

For his efforts, Partain took home $3,705.

Partain said he worked through nearly 30 areas from the Tugaloo River down to the dam, catching eight keepers throughout the tournament.

Coming in third was Eastanollee angler Troy Morrow who caught five bass weighing 5 pounds, 12ounces.

And one of the top 10 co-anglers was Tim Watson of Martin.

Martin caught five bass, weighing 3 pounds 10 ounces.

James Durham of Hartwell, caught the largest bass in the Co-angler Division weighing in at 3 pounds, 14 ounces. The catch earned him the day’s Co-angler Big Bass award.

The top 45 boaters and co-anglers in the region based on point standings, along with the five winners in each qualifying event, will be entered in the BFL Regional Championship on the St. Johns River in Palatka, Florida in October.

Boaters will compete for a top award of $20,000 plus a Ranger Z518C bass boat with a 200-horsepower Evinrude outboard and $20,000.

Co-anglers will fish for a new Ranger Z518C bass boat with a 200-horsepower Evinrude outboard.