Cayce man named National Champion and Angler of the Year during recent American Fishing Tour National Championship on Lake Murray

Lake Murray, SC 05/12/2024 - The American Bass Anglers (ABA) 2024 American Fishing Tour National Championship on Lake Murray concluded May 9, 2025, with Andy Wicker of Cayce, South Carolina, taking home the title of National Champion and Angler of the Year. The tournament, presented by Capital City/Lake Murray Country Regional Tourism Board, concluded three days of intense competition at Dreher Island State Park in Prosperity, South Carolina, and attracted top weekend anglers from 20 states nationwide, including Ohio, Illinois, Kansas, and New York. This year’s championship marked the 24th annual ABA National Championship and a return to Lake Murray, 25 years after the inaugural event held in 2000.

Andy Wicker secured the National Championship title and Angler of the Year after three days of fishing at Lake Murray with a final tournament weight of 71.64 pounds and reeling in the tournament's big fish, weighing 6.84 pounds. Along with the coveted tournament titles, Wicker earned the grand prize of a new Caymas boat powered by a Mercury Marine outboard equipped with T-H Marine components.

In addition to the fishing action, the event featured a moving flag ceremony on Wednesday morning, honoring all branches of the United States military. The ceremony served as a tribute to the service and sacrifice of ABA anglers and attendees with military backgrounds—reinforcing the organization’s deep roots in the armed forces community.

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Final Tournament Results & Angler of the Year (AOY) Rankings

1. Andy Wicker - AOY Division 96, Cayce, SC - 71.64 lbs

2. Justin K. Raines - AOY Division 25, Easley, SC - 68.96 lbs

3. Bradley Day -  AOY Division 25, Anderson, SC - 65.64 lbs

4. Joshua Rennebaum - AOY Division 96, Chapin, SC - 65.26 lbs

5. Dalton Tankersly - AOY Division 125, Mineral Bluff, GA - 59.14 lbs

   
   

Year to Date Divisional Rankings:

Army Division:

1. Kenneth Draskovic - Scottsboro, AL - 174.12

2. Timothy Kelley - Prosperity, SC, 155.81

3. George Kunkle, III - Albertville, AL, 102.13

4. Karl Youngblood - Deatsville, AL, 87.38

5. Paul Selle - Lexington, SC, 86.72  

Navy Division:

1. Richard Plemons - Virginia Beach, VA, 124.48

2. Lance Eckford - Troutman, NC, 271.36

3. William Nelson - Hertford, NC, 100.97  

4. Tom O’Bryant - Cedar Grove, TN, 135.12

5. Johnny Smith - Albany, GA, 152.45

Air Force Division:

1. Barry Woodward - Mobile, AL, 155.86  

2. John Lambert - Fredericksburg, VA, 152.13

3. Randy McFadden - Seaford, VA, 135.60

4. James Wilson - Wagener, SC, 49.28

5. Gerald Powe - Hampton, GA, 61.23

Marines Division:

1. James Brown - Chase City, VA, 93.72

2. Scott Randall - King George, VA, 93.85

3. Jamie Andries - Waldorf, MD, 71.80

4. Paul Dunn - Prosperity, SC, 30.81

5. Eric Riffer - Baker, FL, 49.72

Homeland Security Division:

1. Rodney Cromer - Pomaria, SC, 109.87

2. Kevin Thomas - Albemarle, NC, 176.22

3. Richard Bates - Yorktown, VA, 104.87

4. Joseph Toth - Richmond Hill, GA, 75.73

5. Chuck Cunningham - Duncan, SC, 73.07

Non-Military Associate Division:

1. Justin Raines - Easley, SC, 202.89

2. Andy Wicker - Cayce, SC,  172.05  

3. Joshua Rennebaum - Chapin, SC, 176.82

4. Dalton Tankersly - Mineral Bluff, GA, 183.00  

5. Bradley Day - Anderson, SC, 170.52

Lady Angler Division:

1. Gretta Pittman - Adelphi, MD, 37.68

2. Cathy Eades - Evington, VA, 37.01

3. Amy Taylor - N/A, 25.30

4. Olivia Hendricks  - N/A, 6.69

5. Delores Hunter  - N/A, 30.16

Throughout the week, Dreher Island State Park served as the launch point for daily competition, with public weigh-ins drawing enthusiastic crowds. Fans enjoyed great food from Big Boys BBQ and cheered on their favorite anglers under sunny spring skies.

The American Fishing Tour Championship highlights the dedication and skill of weekend anglers, creating a national stage focused on sportsmanship, community, and fair competition.