The home water advantage seems to have helped with one professional angler at last week’s MLF Bass Pro Tour stop.

Prosperity’s Anthony Gagliardi hauled in 16 scorable bass — the five largest of which weighed a collective 26 pounds, 13 ounces — to take the top prize of $100,000 at the Fox Rent A Car Stage Three on Lake Murray.

Gagliard’s two-day haul of 10 bass weighing 47 pounds, 12 ounces allowed him to claim the trophy, awarded April 7, as he beat second-place finisher Ott DeFoe of Tennesee (whose 10 bass totaled 43 pounds, one ounce).

“There is something about this lake, I don’t know what it is, but this lake just suits me,” Gagliardi is quoted in a release from the Capital City/Lake Murray Regional Tourism Board, which helped bring the event to the lake. “I don’t even fish it all that much – I honestly don’t – but this lake is just incredible, and I am so proud to be from here. Lake Murray showed out for everybody this week.”

Coming into the week, Gagliardi had notched two major national wins, including the 2014 FLW Cup. The win put him back in line to qualify for Redcrest, the MLF Bass Pro Tour championship.

The recent event featured 80 top anglers competing on Lake Murray between April 2 and 7.

Lake Murray will again host a big-time fishing event later this month, as the Bassmaster Elite Series pays a visit to the reservoir April 20-23. The lake is one of nine locations selected for the latest edition of the series, one of the most-viewed fishing events on TV.

“This prestigious event brings the nation’s top anglers to the region for a week of high-stakes fishing.  Each angler will be challenged to deliver on their expertise on Lake Murray. We cannot wait to see how they break previous records,” Miriam Atria, Capital City/Lake Murray’s president/CEO, is quoted.

The festivities for the Bassmaster Elite event will include Family Friendly Community Expo (April 22-23, 12-5 p.m. at Dreher Island State Park) with exhibits from the state Department of Natural Resources and the Gamecock Bass Fishing Team, among others, along with food trucks. There will also be a concert from Kristen Bush of Sugarland at the park April 22 at 1 p.m.