Straight to the Point

South Carolina angler Casey Ashley summed it best as he came across the stage late in the Day One weigh-in of the Carolina Clash presented by Evan Williams.

A break from the books

Twenty-five-year-old Travis McDermott hopes to qualify for the Bassmaster Elite Series tour once he begins his career as a chiropractor. But the Williamstown, W.V., native's studies come first right now.

Searching For Answers

Two weeks ago, when the Bassmaster Elite Series pros were at nearby Clarks Hill Lake, the concensus was that this week's tournament at Lake Murray would feature some outstanding bass fishing. The bass weren't quite in the full post-spawn mode at Clarks Hill, but they probably would be two weeks later at Lake Murray.

In his backyard

Jason Williamson lives in Aiken, S.C., and his home is approximately 42 miles from Lake Murray, where the Carolina Clash presented by Evan Williams will begin on Thursday.

How-To

Baiting Up Shad Spawn

These fish provide no sport and virtually no food value to humans. Still, when knowing anglers hear the words "shad spawn," they start to salivate.

Pick Three

The 2008 Bassmaster Elite Series tour makes "the turn" this week at Carolina Clash presented by Evan Williams. It's the sixth tournament in the 11-event season.

Fulfilling The Commission

One cold December day in 1968, while I was fishing at Lake Eufaula, Ala., I met Mr. Tom Scott at Chewalla Marina. He was in an 18-foot Skeeter boat with a 70-horsepower — the biggest boat and motor I had ever seen. I knew him from his days as a student at Auburn University; I was just a kid, and he and a cousin of mine used to take me squirrel hunting.

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