The South Carolina Bass Federation had its second tournament of the season today on the Cooper River, and it appears quite likely that a new state record for a 5-fish tournament limit was set – it certainly represents a new SC Bass Federation tournament record.  Brian Tyler of Johnsonville caught a massive 42.3 pound bag, including the 10.87 pound tournament big fish, two 9-pounders, and two 6- plus pound fish!  SC Bass Federation President Jackie Stanford reported that all of the fish came out of one spot, where Brian marked them on his fish finder bunched up in a ditch with a brush pile.  He then backed off and loaded the boat!  The second place bag, a 25-pound sack, was caught from the same area by Kevin Alford, also of Johnsonville – and featured an 8.48 pound big fish.

Forty-four boats fished the tournament, and despite the massive weight at the top Jackie Stanford reported some tough conditions.  The tide was going out most of the day, which is good for fishing on the Cooper River, but the wind was blowing against the tide and it rained off and on.  Water temperatures were between 57 and 58 degrees, and fish were definitely in a pre-spawn mode. The winning sack was rumored to have been caught on a swimbait or an Alabama rig…

For complete tournament data click here.

Thanks to Jackie Stanford for photo and information.