The waters of the Santee Cooper Lakes were alive with action on Saturday, April 12, as anglers from across the region gathered at the John C. Land III Sports Fishing Facility for the 2025 Santee Cooper Open Team Tournament.
Presented by Santee Cooper and organized by the Clarendon County Chamber of Commerce, the tournament featured a $160 entry fee and an optional $10 Big Fish pot. With a guaranteed $5,000 prize for first place, the stakes were high and the competition fierce.
At the end of the day, the team of Lawshe and Warren claimed the top spot, weighing in an impressive 28.91-pound bag to secure the win.
“The bags were big, the competition was tight, and the energy was electric,” said a post from Destination Clarendon. “Huge congrats to our winners and all the anglers who showed up and showed out.”
Close behind were Craven and Mixson in second with 26.04 pounds, followed by Oliver and Gowdy in third with 25.58 pounds. The top 10 teams all brought in weights over 21 pounds, showcasing the productive fishing on the Santee Cooper Lakes.
Big Fish honors went to Causey and Park with a 9.26-pound lunker, followed by Darby and Richbourg with an 8.12-pound catch.
The top 10 team results are as follows:
-Lawshe & Warren – 28.91 lbs
-Craven & Mixson – 26.04 lbs
-Oliver & Gowdy – 25.58 lbs
-Causey & Park – 25.40 lbs
-Hopkins – 23.41 lbs
-Darby & Richbourg – 22.88 lbs
-Scott & Scott Jr. – 22.78 lbs
-Timmons & Glenn – 22.65 lbs
-Anderson & Haley – 21.46 lbs
-Prescott & Cox – 21.19 lbs
Tournament rules included a five-fish limit per team and strict penalties for late weigh-ins, dead fish, and undersized catches. All fish had to meet a minimum of 14 inches, and only artificial baits were allowed. The event emphasized safety, requiring life jackets while combustion engines were running and maintaining a 50-yard courtesy rule between boats.
Officials thanked all participants, volunteers, and sponsors for making the day a success. “Thanks again to everyone who joined us,” organizers said. “We’ll see you next time on the water!”
For more information about upcoming tournaments and local events, contact: tourism@clarendoncounty.com.
