Japan’s Taku Ito has taken the lead on Day 1 of the AFTCO Bassmaster Elite at Lake Fork with a total of 39 pounds, 1 ounce.
Photo by Seigo Saito/B.A.S.S.
February 29, 2024
Ito takes early lead as giants emerge on Day 1 of the Bassmaster Elite Series event at Lake Fork
YANTIS, Texas — Just about everyone expected to see big bags of bass this week at the AFTCO Bassmaster Elite at Lake Fork.
Few, however, could have predicted the absolute slugfest that took place Thursday on this 27,000-acre jewel in the northeast corner of the Lone Star State.
A whopping 14 of the 103 anglers in the field caught 30 pound or better on Day 1 of the four-day tournament. Taku Ito, of Chiba, Japan, led the way with a five-bass total of 39 pounds, 1 ounce, including a personal best 10-5 lunker largemouth he brought to the stage at Caney Point Recreation Area.
His previous best was a 10-pounder he caught in Japan.
“Today was an incredible day,” Ito said. “I caught the big one about 10 a.m. I was throwing many types of baits — a jighead, a jerkbait, Texas rigs, drop shots. I was in different kinds of water, from 25 feet to about 5 feet.”
It was an unexpected turnaround for the 37-year-old Elite pro, who said he struggled mightily during his practice days on Fork.
“It was terrible,” he said. “I had four fish in one practice. Then I had three fish one day and two on another day. But today, I caught a bunch. Everything worked for me today.”
Ito wasn’t expecting Thursday’s cold and windy weather to help his cause, either, though it certainly did. Temperatures plummeted into the 40s on Wednesday, from the mid-80s a day earlier, and they stayed that way on Day 1 of this derby.
The weather is predicted to slowly warm throughout the the tournament, though Friday morning could be cold and windy again. The rapidly changing conditions make Ito uncertain he can come close to repeating the phenomenal 39-1 he caught Thursday.
“It’ll be hard,” he said. “The weather today helped me. I will go to the same places and try the same things.”
Stetson Blaylock, of Benton, Ark., is in second place with 37-6. He had a strong start, with bass weighing 6-10, 8-6 and 9-10 coming from the same small spot in the opening hours. Blaylock went cold for more than three hours, though, and didn’t catch his fourth and fifth bass until much later in the day.
He said unpredictable weather has him thinking he’ll try something new on Friday. And yes, he realizes it’s not too often you catch 37-6 and change tactics.
“This weather made the fish weird,” he said. “I found that one little area that really produced this morning. I knew it would be good, but I didn’t know it’d be that good … I don’t think I go there tomorrow … Things are gonna flip-flop. With the amount of 30-pound stringers caught today, I know I can go other places in the lake and catch big fish.”
Second-year Elite Kyle Norsetter, of Cottage Grove, Wis., is in third place with 35-8. He too said he struggled during practice, but a midday change of scenery helped him mount a strong Day 1 finish.
“We had about 35 bed fish marked, but I pulled into my first spot, and I only caught a 3-11,” he said. “I thought it was gonna be a decent day. I hit my spots, about six of them, and they were gone … I caught only one bedding fish today.
“So, I ended up switching gears,” Norsetter continued. “I saw something and made a cast, got it. Then I started LiveScoping. From there, everything went right. There were a lot of fish and some really nice fish, too. It was encouraging after having a really tough, draining practice.”
Trey McKinney, of Carbondale, Ill., is fourth after Day 1 with 33-11. Justin Hammer, of Northport, Ala., is fifth with 33-5. A total of 92 Elites had double-digit totals on Thursday and 69 of them caught at least 20 pounds.
Wesley Gore, of Clanton, Ala., caught the Phoenix Boats Big Bass on Thursday — a 10-9 giant he hooked just before 9 a.m.
Big bags are nothing new at Lake Fork. Texas pro Lee Livesay won the past two Elite derbies held here, cracking the Century mark both times — 112-5 in 2021 and 113-11 a year later. There were a total of six Century Club performances in those two tournaments.
The entire field will fish again Friday, with only the Top 50 advancing to Semifinal Saturday. The Top 10 will compete for the blue trophy and $100,000 first-place prize on Championship Sunday.
Bassmaster LIVE will be streaming on Bassmaster.com all four days, and coverage will also be available on FS1 on Saturday and Sunday.
This event is being hosted by Wood County Texas.
2024 AFTCO Bassmaster Elite at Lake Fork 2/29-3/3
Lake Fork, Yantis TX.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Taku Ito Dalton GA JAPAN 5 39-01 103
Day 1: 5 39-01
2. Stetson Blaylock Benton, AR 5 37-06 102
Day 1: 5 37-06
3. Kyle Norsetter Cottage Grove, WI 5 35-08 101
Day 1: 5 35-08
4. Trey McKinney Carbondale, IL 5 33-11 100
Day 1: 5 33-11
5. Justin Hamner Northport, AL 5 33-05 99
Day 1: 5 33-05
6. Matty Wong Honolulu, HI 5 33-02 98
Day 1: 5 33-02
7. Ben Milliken New Caney, TX 5 32-13 97
Day 1: 5 32-13
8. Justin Atkins Florence, AL 5 32-11 96
Day 1: 5 32-11
9. Wesley Gore Clanton, AL 5 32-02 95 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 32-02
10. Kyle Patrick Cooperstown, NY 5 31-15 94
Day 1: 5 31-15
11. Tyler Rivet Raceland, LA 5 31-05 93
Day 1: 5 31-05
12. Keith Combs Huntington, TX 5 31-04 92
Day 1: 5 31-04
13. Hunter Shryock Ooltewah, TN 5 30-11 91
Day 1: 5 30-11
14. Tyler Williams Belgrade, ME 5 30-04 90
Day 1: 5 30-04
15. Cory Johnston Otonabee CANADA 5 29-12 89
Day 1: 5 29-12
16. Will Davis Jr Sylacauga, AL 5 29-09 88
Day 1: 5 29-09
17. Kyoya Fujita Yamanashi CA JAPAN 5 29-06 87
Day 1: 5 29-06
18. Derek Hudnall Zachary, LA 5 29-05 86
Day 1: 5 29-05
19. Brandon Card Salisbury, NC 4 28-05 85
Day 1: 4 28-05
20. Cooper Gallant Bowmanville Ontario CAN 4 28-04 84
Day 1: 4 28-04
21. Brandon Lester Fayetteville, TN 5 27-14 83
Day 1: 5 27-14
22. Mark Menendez Paducah, KY 5 27-07 82
Day 1: 5 27-07
23. Gregory DiPalma Millville, NJ 5 26-09 81
Day 1: 5 26-09
24. Brandon Palaniuk Rathdrum, ID 5 26-02 80
Day 1: 5 26-02
25. Jacob Foutz Charleston, TN 5 26-01 79
Day 1: 5 26-01
25. Frank Talley Belton, TX 5 26-01 79
Day 1: 5 26-01
27. JT Thompkins Myrtle Beach, SC 5 25-13 77
Day 1: 5 25-13
28. Drew Cook Cairo, GA 5 25-12 76
Day 1: 5 25-12
29. Jonathan Kelley Old Forge, PA 5 25-10 75
Day 1: 5 25-10
30. Wes Logan Springville, AL 5 25-05 74
Day 1: 5 25-05
30. Alex Redwine Blue Ash, OH 5 25-05 74
Day 1: 5 25-05
32. Matt Arey Shelby, NC 5 25-00 72
Day 1: 5 25-00
33. Paul Mueller Naugatuck, CT 5 24-11 71
Day 1: 5 24-11
34. Seth Feider New Market, MN 5 24-08 70
Day 1: 5 24-08
35. Scott Martin Clewiston, FL 5 24-01 69
Day 1: 5 24-01
35. Jacob Powroznik North Prince George, VA 5 24-01 69
Day 1: 5 24-01
37. Pat Schlapper Eleva, WI 5 23-13 67
Day 1: 5 23-13
37. Jason Williamson Aiken, SC 5 23-13 67
Day 1: 5 23-13
39. Chad Pipkens Dewitt, MI 5 23-11 65
Day 1: 5 23-11
40. Logan Parks Auburn, AL 5 23-04 64
Day 1: 5 23-04
41. Greg Hackney Gonzales, LA 5 23-02 63
Day 1: 5 23-02
41. Jamie Hartman Newport, NY 5 23-02 63
Day 1: 5 23-02
43. KJ Queen Catawba, NC 5 22-15 61
Day 1: 5 22-15
44. Caleb Sumrall New Iberia, LA 5 22-12 60
Day 1: 5 22-12
45. John Crews Jr Salem, VA 5 22-09 59
Day 1: 5 22-09
46. Brad Whatley Bivins, TX 5 22-00 58
Day 1: 5 22-00
47. Hank Cherry Jr Lincolnton, NC 5 21-15 57
Day 1: 5 21-15
47. Chris Zaldain Fort Worth, TX 5 21-15 57
Day 1: 5 21-15
49. Michael Iaconelli Pitts Grove, NJ 5 21-14 55
Day 1: 5 21-14
50. Luke Palmer Coalgate, OK 5 21-11 54
Day 1: 5 21-11
51. Bryan Schmitt Deale, MD 5 21-10 53
Day 1: 5 21-10
52. Matt Herren Ashville, AL 5 21-09 52
Day 1: 5 21-09
52. Jay Przekurat Plover, WI 5 21-09 52
Day 1: 5 21-09
54. Jordan Lee Cullman, AL 5 21-05 50
Day 1: 5 21-05
55. Shane LeHew Catawba, NC 5 21-04 49
Day 1: 5 21-04
56. Mike Huff London, KY 5 21-03 48
Day 1: 5 21-03
57. Bryan New Leesville, SC 5 21-02 47
Day 1: 5 21-02
58. Drew Benton Panama City, FL 5 20-15 46
Day 1: 5 20-15
58. Kyle Welcher Valley, AL 5 20-15 46
Day 1: 5 20-15
60. Jeff Gustafson Kenora, ON Ontario CANA 5 20-14 44
Day 1: 5 20-14
61. Kenta Kimura Osaka OK JAPAN 5 20-12 43
Day 1: 5 20-12
62. John Garrett Union City, TN 4 20-11 42
Day 1: 4 20-11
63. Timothy Dube Nashua , NH 5 20-09 41
Day 1: 5 20-09
64. Steve Kennedy Auburn, AL 5 20-07 40
Day 1: 5 20-07
65. Bob Downey Detroit Lakes, MN 5 20-06 39
Day 1: 5 20-06
66. David Gaston Sylacauga, AL 5 20-01 38
Day 1: 5 20-01
66. Chris Johnston Otonabee Ontario CANADA 5 20-01 38
Day 1: 5 20-01
66. Brock Mosley Collinsville, MS 5 20-01 38
Day 1: 5 20-01
69. Clark Wendlandt Leander, TX 5 20-00 35
Day 1: 5 20-00
70. Jason Christie Dry Creek, OK 5 19-14 34
Day 1: 5 19-14
71. Jake Whitaker Hendersonville, NC 5 19-13 33
Day 1: 5 19-13
72. Rick Clunn Ava, MO 5 19-11 32
Day 1: 5 19-11
73. Brandon Cobb Greenwood, SC 5 19-10 31
Day 1: 5 19-10
74. Scott Canterbury Odenville, AL 5 19-05 30
Day 1: 5 19-05
75. Todd Auten Clover, SC 5 19-03 29
Day 1: 5 19-03
76. John Cox Debary, FL 5 19-00 28
Day 1: 5 19-00
76. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, FL 5 19-00 28
Day 1: 5 19-00
78. Joseph Webster Hamilton, AL 5 18-12 26
Day 1: 5 18-12
79. Patrick Walters Eutawville, SC 5 18-06 25
Day 1: 5 18-06
80. Ray Hanselman Jr Del Rio, TX 5 17-07 24
Day 1: 5 17-07
81. Bill Lowen Brookville, IN 5 17-03 23
Day 1: 5 17-03
82. Austin Felix Eden Prairie, MN 5 16-14 22
Day 1: 5 16-14
83. Clent Davis Montevallo, AL 5 16-13 21
Day 1: 5 16-13
84. Matt Robertson Kuttawa, KY 5 16-08 20
Day 1: 5 16-08
85. Logan Latuso Gonzales, LA 4 15-06 19
Day 1: 4 15-06
86. Buddy Gross Chattanooga, TN 4 14-13 18
Day 1: 4 14-13
87. Cole Sands Calhoun , TN 5 14-10 17
Day 1: 5 14-10
88. Koby Kreiger Alva, FL 5 13-11 16
Day 1: 5 13-11
89. Bryant Smith Roseville, CA 4 13-01 15
Day 1: 4 13-01
90. Cody Huff Ava, MO 4 12-01 14
Day 1: 4 12-01
91. John Soukup Sapulpa, OK 3 11-12 13
Day 1: 3 11-12
92. Marc Frazier Newnan, GA 3 11-00 12
Day 1: 3 11-00
93. Cliff Prince Palatka, FL 3 09-06 11
Day 1: 3 09-06
94. David Mullins Mt Carmel, TN 3 08-06 10
Day 1: 3 08-06
95. Lee Livesay Longview, TX 3 08-04 9
Day 1: 3 08-04
96. Carl Jocumsen Queensland TN AUSTRALIA 2 08-03 8
Day 1: 2 08-03
97. Gerald Swindle Guntersville, AL 3 08-00 7
Day 1: 3 08-00
98. Caleb Kuphall Mukwonago, WI 3 07-13 6
Day 1: 3 07-13
99. Joey Cifuentes III Clinton, AR 3 07-11 5
Day 1: 3 07-11
100. Clifford Pirch Payson, AZ 2 06-08 4
Day 1: 2 06-08
101. Ed Loughran III Richmond, VA 1 05-15 3
Day 1: 1 05-15
102. Alex Wetherell Middletown, CT 1 04-02 2
Day 1: 1 04-02
103. Robert Gee Knoxville, TN 1 02-09 1
Day 1: 1 02-09
———————————————————————–
PHOENIX BOATS BIG BASS
Day
1 Wesley Gore Clanton, AL 10-09 $1,000.00
———————————————————————–
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 83 474 2224-07
———————————-
83 474 2224-07
