COLUMBIA, S.C. — Two 3-pounders in the last 45 minutes of competition helped Casey Ashley to the win Sunday in the Evan Williams Bourbon Carolina Clash with a total weight of 61 pounds, 3 ounces.

Ashley, the leader on Day Three in the Lake Murray event, closed the deal with a fourth-day catch of 15-5. The bag gave him a 3-pound, 2-ounce margin over fellow South Carolinian Davy Hite and New Jersey’s Michael Iaconelli, who both had 58-1.

Finishing fourth was Missouri’s Brian Snowden with 57-8. Fifth was Kevin Wirth of Kentucky, who had 55-12. Day One leader Jami Fralick of South Dakota ended in ninth place, and Day Two leader Fred Roumbanis of Oklahoma wrapped up in 12th place.

Ashley’s prize was $100,000 and an instant entry into the 2012 Bassmaster Classic. Complete Story

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Four sporadic morning hours on a topwater bite were enough to carry Casey Ashley of Donalds, S.C., from the runner-up spot to the top Saturday in the Evan Williams Bourbon Carolina Clash on Lake Murray.

Helped by a 15-13 day, Ashley added up 45 pounds, 14 ounces over three days, enough for a shot at a Bassmaster Elite Series win in his home state on Sunday.

He bested Michael Iaconelli of Pitts Grove, N.J., by 2 pounds, 9 ounces. But with the way the lake’s been fishing, the pro from New Jersey said it’s not enough for Ashley to feel complacent.

Ashley didn’t think so either. He’d be the first — was the first, actually — to acknowledge that the Lake Murray title is in the crosshairs of any of the top pros’ sights.

“I’ll have to catch 14, 15 again tomorrow to stay up in first place, and I could be passed then even if I do catch that,” Ashley said. “It’s tough out there, and it’s a day-to-day thing. The only thing that separates somebody having 15 pounds from 12 pounds is a big bite. Yesterday and today I got a good bite. Who knows if I get one tomorrow.” Complete Story

By Deb Johnson - Casey Ashley released a CD of new songs this week during the Evan Williams Bourbon Carolina Clash.

The 27-year-old pro’s latest development in his singing career is Release, a six-song demo CD, at CaseyAshley.com.

“I’m excited to see where it goes,” he said. Complete Story

COLUMBIA, S.C. — It’s a tight tournament on Lake Murray, and Elite anglers say the waning blueback herring spawn and Friday’s sunny conditions are the reason for the lack of separation on the leaderboard.

After Day Two of the Evan Williams Bourbon Carolina Clash, less than 4 pounds separate leader Fred Roumbanis and fifth-place angler Rick Clunn. Jami Fralick, the Day One leader who fell to 10th place Friday, only needs to make up a little more than 4 pounds to catch up to Roumbanis.

“In any tournament, but this one especially, one big fish can carry you a long way,” said Casey Ashley, who sits in second place with 30-1, trailing Roumbanis by half a pound. “The only thing that separated me from some of the others was a couple of quality bites. That’s what you’ve got to contend with here.” Complete Story