A record-setting performance and a history-making catch highlighted the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine event at Santee Cooper Lakes on Saturday. Boater Brent Riley of Cross, South Carolina, weighed in a five-bass limit totaling 35 pounds, 3 ounces—marking the 12th largest limit in BFL history—securing him the tournament victory and a $2,890 prize.
The event, hosted by the Clarendon County Chamber of Commerce, also saw an extraordinary feat from Georgetown’s Gary Pope, who tied the all-time BFL record for the largest bass ever weighed, landing a 13-pound, 6-ounce behemoth. Pope’s record catch earned him the Berkley Big Bass Boater award and a $330 prize.
Riley’s Day of a Lifetime
Despite an early setback when he lost a potential 7-pounder at the boat, Riley’s day quickly turned into one for the record books. His limit included four bass weighing approximately 8 pounds each, along with a 3 ½-pounder that he culled twice for minor upgrades.
“I just had one of those days,” Riley said. “The first spot, I caught an 8-pounder. Second spot, I caught an 8-pounder and lost two good ones. Third spot, I caught one about 8, and fourth spot, I caught one about 8. I thought, ‘Wow, how good a day am I having here?’”
Riley relied primarily on a Berkley Slobberknocker, which produced most of his big fish, with two additional catches coming on a Berkley Frittside. His strategy involved targeting grass-lined ditches where bass had positioned between 3 and 6 feet of water following a cold front.
With a long history in competitive fishing, Riley, who has fished in both the BFL All-American and the Bassmaster Classic, said this victory holds a special place in his career.
“I’m starting this year off with a bang,” he said.
Top 10 Boater Standings
Brent Riley, Cross, S.C. – 35-3 ($2,890)
James Gibbons, Timmonsville, S.C. – 31-3 ($1,445)
Lucas Murphy, West Columbia, S.C. – 27-12 ($1,464, includes $500 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus)
Kyle Austin, Ridgeville, S.C. – 27-11 ($674)
Chad Sims, Lancaster, S.C. – 26-11 ($578)
Robert Clarke III, Pineville, S.C. – 26-5 ($530)
Gary Pope, Georgetown, S.C. – 25-10 (four fish, $812)
Wendell Causey Jr., Irmo, S.C. – 24-11 ($433)
Lane Clark, Anderson, S.C. – 23-6 ($385)
Sandy Montgomery, Irmo, S.C. – 21-13 ($337)
Pope’s Historic Catch
While Riley stole the show with his dominant limit, Gary Pope made history with a single catch—his 13-pound, 6-ounce bass tied the all-time BFL record.
Pope’s massive catch earned him a spot in the BFL record books, as well as the Berkley Big Bass Boater award. Despite catching only four fish in total, Pope’s 25-pound, 10-ounce haul was good enough for seventh place overall.
Bagwell Tops Co-Angler Division
On the co-angler side, Chuck Bagwell of Laurens, South Carolina, secured the win with a three-bass total of 11 pounds, 2 ounces, earning him $1,445.
Top 10 Co-Angler Standings
Chuck Bagwell, Laurens, S.C. – 11-2 ($1,445)
Bobby Smith, Asheville, N.C. – 11-0 ($722)
Troy Crippen, Lancaster, S.C. – 10-11 ($480)
Brendan Yeckley, Monroe, N.C. – 10-8 ($337)
Nathan Sipes, Laurens, S.C. – 10-4 ($289)
Davy Goodman, Sumter, S.C. – 9-6 ($265)
Roger McKee, Columbia, S.C. – 8-10 ($406)
Tim Chadwick, Mount Pleasant, S.C. – 8-9 ($217)
Thomas Pennell III, Boiling Springs, S.C. – 8-3 ($193)
Joshua Brogden, Sumter, S.C. – 8-1 ($169)
Columbia’s Roger McKee landed the biggest fish among co-anglers, a 6-pound, 8-ounce bass, earning him the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award and a $165 prize.
Points Leaders and Upcoming Events
After three events in the Fishing Clash South Carolina Division, Lucas Murphy leads the Boater Angler of the Year (AOY) standings with 735 points, while Thomas Pennell III leads the Co-Angler AOY race with 724 points.
The next stop on the BFL South Carolina Division schedule is June 21 at Clarks Hill Lake in Appling, Georgia. The top 60 boaters and co-anglers in the standings, along with tournament winners, will qualify for the BFL Regional tournament on Lake Norman in Huntersville, North Carolina, on Oct. 3-4.
Boaters in the regional event will compete for a Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower outboard valued at $50,000, while co-anglers will fish for a $20,000 prize.
For full tournament results, standings, and registration details, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com.
About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, hosting over 250 events annually across the country. MLF competitions are broadcast on CBS, Discovery Channel, Outdoor Channel, CBS Sports Network, and World Fishing Network, with additional coverage on MyOutdoorTV (MOTV).
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