O’Connell Posts Second Career Win at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event at Clarks Hill

APPLING, Ga. (June 24, 2024) – Boater Matt O’Connell of Brooks, Georgia, caught a five-bass limit weighing 18 pounds Saturday to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine on Clarks Hill . Hosted by Visit Columbia County, Georgia, the tournament was the fourth event of the season for the BFL South Carolina Division. O’Connell earned $6,805, including the lucrative $2,500 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus, for his victory.

O’Connell fished a Savannah River Division tournament on Clarks Hill a week prior and found some fish on brush piles. This time around, he realized the schools had set up a little bit shallower. He kicked the day off throwing a topwater.

“I used a CAST The OG to get a key fish early – a 4-pounder,” he said. “Last week, my biggest fish was like 3 1/2. Then I just kind of mixed in various other blueback baits; other topwaters, flukes, stuff like that. Basically, I…