Carolinas Bass Challenge brings big money to Lake Wylie Feb. 6

One of Lake Wylie’s biggest bass events is back.

Carolinas Bass Challenge brings anglers from all over for a shot at top payouts Feb. 6. The event runs from safe light to the 3 p.m. weigh-in at Ebenezer Park in Rock Hill. It’s the first of eight combined this year in the North Carolina and South Carolina divisions.

“This is the first one,” said trail organizer Brett Collins. “We haven’t had one in the South Carolina division yet.”

Wylie is a regular stop for the series. Collins said there are lakes he’s stopped going to for lack of access or other issues. At Ebenezer he has restrooms, parking, running water, easy ramp access an other amenities that make it attractive.

“We come to Wylie sometimes twice a year,” Collins said. “We’ve got a good place to have the tournament. And most people know how fish it.”

Registration deadline is midnight tonight, Feb. 3. There were 178 boats already paid up to fish this morning. Collins expects close to 200. Organizing fishing events since 1997, Collins said it isn’t hard to figure out why his events are popular.

“There hasn’t been a tournament like this,” he said. “First place will probably be $10,000. And we give bonus money.”

With the big fish pot, brand partnerships and other bonuses, the winner could take home up to $17,000. A top finisher at any Carolinas Bass Challenge event is guaranteed $8,000. Points accrue toward a series championship event with a $50,000 prize.

“There’s no other amateur tournament around here like this,” Collins said. “There’s no amateur tournament in the Southeast like that.”

The series stopped at Lake Wylie in March in the North Carolina division with 199 boats. Michael Webster and Guy Eaker reeled in five fish at more than 23 pounds for the winning haul of $10,000. The event gave out more than $45,000 total.

Eddie Smith and Michael Carson in 2014 won almost $16,000 on Wylie in the North Carolina event. A South Carolina division win and $10,000 went to Nathan Webber and Paul Rigsbee. Mike Stephens and Hunter Hicks won in the snow back in 2013, for a little more than $10,000.

“It’s the biggest bass tourney on Lake Wylie all year as far as payout and participation,” said Hunt, Fish, Paddle owner Adam Fillmore. “Usually pulling upward of 200 boats.”

Fillmore and teammate Matt Queen finished fourth last year for $2,500. Along with cash, the tournament gives local anglers a chance to test their skills against a strong field, Fillmore said.

“Some of the top anglers in the Carolinas will attend with the exception of any who are currently fishing the FLW Tour or BASS Elite Series,” he said. “They are ineligible.”

Locals take the event seriously. The lake is off limits to participants the week leading into the event, Monday through Friday. So, they come earlier.

“It was great for business last week,” Fillmore said.

This story was originally published February 3, 2016 at 11:46 AM with the headline "Carolinas Bass Challenge brings big money to Lake Wylie Feb. 6."