2012 Savannah River Classic - Allendale

Mike and Jordan Oglesby with their winning lunker bass

Johnny Sanders shows me his wigglers and grubs

John and Harper Rice with Bartow and Bart Keller

Latham Boone of Red Bluff Lodge

The 4th edition of the Savannah River Classic (SRC) challenges anglers to target freshwater fish and is based out of Allendale. The weigh-in is held at a fine facility, which used to be an S.C. Welcome Center before SCDOT divested it to Allendale County. This year's tournament benefits the Lower Savannah River Alliance (LSRA) which works to bring neighboring counties in both SC and Ga. together to raise awareness about the natural resources associated with the state-line tributary. Twenty teams from the Allendale area competed on May 12 under sunny skies, calm wind conditions and comfortable temps. In the future, the SRC would like to invite anglers from Georgia to compete for the annual braggin' rights, and for the great prizes offered in the tourney. Youth angler participation was very good as Allendale families are raising their kids right - with an appreciation for the outdoors. Congrats to Latham Boone for winning the youth panfish division, continuing his mastery of both fish and game! Bartow Keller won the youth catfish division with his 1-pound 6-ounce cat. Jordan Oglesby won the youth bass division with a lunker that went 6-pounds and 7-ounces, which also helped him take the youth aggregate title. Father Mike Oglesby had another super Savannah River bass at 4-pounds 3-ounces to win the adult bass division, and claiming the adult aggregate title, allowing this father and son team to clean up the 2012 SRC - Congrats!! Alan Stanley won the adult panfish division with a 12.2-ounce crappie and the adult catfish winner, Rick Gooding, also caught the biggest fish of the day when he dredged up an 11-pound 2-ounce river cat.

To view past blog entries from the Savannah River Classic click here.