CLARKS HILL LAKE – Cayce angler Andy Wicker reeled in a big win this past Saturday, claiming first place in the Major League Fishing (MLF) Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Savannah River Division tournament with a three-bass limit totaling 14 pounds, 12 ounces. His performance earned him a $4,259 payday and marked his first career BFL win.

Wicker found success using an “old-school” approach—slowing things down and sticking to familiar waters.

“I was basically just throwing a worm around,” Wicker said. “I caught the big one (a 6-pound, 10-ounce bass) out of a brush pile. The rest were on your typical summer spots—rocks and brush.”

With a three-fish limit in place for the tournament, Wicker said he was able to focus on quality over quantity.

“I don’t know that I would’ve done what I did with a five-fish limit. It makes it easier mentally to just go throw a big worm and get three bites.”

Despite only having a half-day to practice, Wicker stuck to one key area and relied on the Zoom Ol’ Monster worm to seal the win.

“I have a couple brush piles that are really good, but outside of those, there’s a lot of dead brush. So you can go a long time between bites.”

Top 10 Boaters – BFL Clarks Hill Lake:

  1. Andy Wicker, Cayce – 14-12 ($4,259)

  2. Wesley Sandifer, Chapin – 12-9 ($1,840)

  3. Dan Geurtsen, Chapin – 12-0 ($1,225)

  4. Eric Allen, Powder Springs, GA – 11-10 ($859)

  5. Lane Parker, Waleska, GA – 10-13 ($736)

  6. Greg Rikard, Leesville – 10-10 ($1,300 incl. Phoenix MLF Bonus)

  7. Caleb Sheldon, West Columbia – 10-7 ($613)

  8. Bart Blackburn, North Augusta – 10-5 ($552)

  9. Matt O’Connell, Brooks, GA – 9-14 ($491)

  10. Michael Wilson, Burnsville, NC – 9-13 ($429)

Wicker also won the Berkley Big Bass Boater award, earning $480 for landing the tournament’s biggest fish—a 6-pound, 10-ounce bass.

Looking Ahead

After four events, Lane Parker of Waleska, GA, leads the Savannah River Division Angler of the Year standings with 963 points. Rusty Odom of Simpsonville leads among co-anglers with 965 points.

The next event in the division will be held September 27–28 at Lake Hartwell in Anderson. Top anglers from the season—including the five tournament winners—will qualify for the BFL Regional on Lake Murray, October 10–11, where boaters will compete for a Phoenix 819 Pro boat worth $50,000, and co-anglers will fish for $20,000.

To register or learn more, visit www.MajorLeagueFishing.com.

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