Zaldain Takes Lead Heading Into Final Day Of Toyota Bassmaster Elite At Lake Lanier

wpalert

-

February 17, 2019

Zaldain Takes Lead Heading Into Final Day Of Toyota Bassmaster Elite At Lake Lanier

exas angler Chris Zaldain leads going into Championship Sunday of the Toyota Bassmaster Elite At Lake Lanier with a three-day total of 51 pounds, 9 ounces.

Photo by B.A.S.S. / Seigo Saito

Feb. 16, 2019

Zaldain Takes Lead Heading Into Final Day Of Toyota Bassmaster Elite At Lake Lanier

[print_link]

GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — For Chris Zaldain, this week has been an exercise in extreme patience.

The California native, who is fishing his eighth season on the Bassmaster Elite Series, said many of his casts have been taking an excruciating five minutes from start to finish as he targets spotted bass suspended in 40 to 60 feet of water.

But his patience has paid off, as he’s built a three-day total of 51 pounds, 9 ounces, including a Saturday catch of 18-4 that lifted him into first place at the Toyota Bassmaster Elite at Lake Lanier.

Zaldain will lead the Top 10 remaining pros into Championship Sunday, with a $100,000 first-place paycheck on the line.

“From the time I cast my bait, let it sink and reel it all the way back to my rod tip, it’s literally taking me up to five minutes,” said Zaldain, who now lives in Fort Worth, Texas. “You have to do that simply because the fish are really picky. You can’t fish fast at all, or you won’t get a bite.”

Zaldain is fishing near Buford Dam on the lower end of Lake Lanier in water that he said is only 47 degrees. Having fished ultradeep, ultraclear water in California, he knew coming into the week that’s where the lake’s biggest spotted bass would be.

“I’m fishing deeper than most everybody else,” Zaldain said. “I truly believe that’s where the biggest spots live because it’s the deepest, bluest, clearest water on the lake.

“They suspend out in those deep trees — and when they begin feeding to get ready for the spawn, they pull up to the depth zone I’m targeting.”

Zaldain’s catch of 18-4 was his biggest of the week. But he doesn’t think duplicating that catch on Sunday will be enough to help him win.

He believes a 20-pound catch is “more than doable” on the lake — and he says the conditions could be shaping up perfectly for it to happen. The Sunday forecast calls for a high of 49 degrees with a 90-percent chance of rain.

“That’s exactly how it was when I had my best day in practice,” Zaldain said. “I keep checking those spots where I caught them really good in practice, and they haven’t been there.

“Maybe it ends up being one of those magical weeks where they start showing up on my best stuff on the last day.”

Zaldain can’t afford to stumble, with veteran pros like David Mullins of Tennessee (51-4), Paul Mueller of Connecticut (50-8) and Keith Combs of Texas (49-10) all within easy striking distance.

After catching 17-12 and 19-6 the first two days, Mullins slipped a bit Saturday. But even as his game plan cooled, he still managed to catch 14-2.

“I actually caught as many today as I did yesterday,” Mulllins said. “But every fish I ‘laid back on’ was a lot smaller.”

Like many other anglers in the field, Mullins admitted the Lake Lanier bass are nearly impossible to predict from one day to the next.

“The fish weren’t as bunched up today as they were yesterday,” Mullins said. “It’s one of those things where you wonder, ‘Is it a cloud deal? Is it a rain deal?’ If that’s case, tomorrow I’m going to bust them. If it’s because the fish are moving out and going somewhere else, then we’re going to have to relocate them somewhere.”

Mueller, who has a wealth of experience fishing in similar fisheries and weather conditions in northern climates, said the weather played a major role in what happened Saturday.

“When I felt that air temperature get colder today, I kind of knew something was different about the fishing,” Mueller said. “After that, they would peck at it. They would follow the bait. But it was really hard getting a hook in them.”

Combs is one of the few anglers who has relied heavily on a shallower bite this week, and it’s paid off with consistent catches of 16-6, 16-15 and 16-5.

“It’s definitely not easy,” Combs said. “When we had the wind and the clouds this morning, I thought my patterns would really work. But I tried everything I had, and I had only caught one fish before 11:30.

“I only had six keepers for the day.”

Indiana pro Bill Lowen caught 14-8 Saturday and failed to qualify for Championship Sunday. But he maintained his lead for Phoenix Boats Big Bass of the week with the 6-14 largemouth he caught Thursday.

The tournament will conclude Sunday, with the Top 10 remaining anglers taking off from Laurel Park at 6:45 a.m. ET. The final weigh-in will take place at Coolray Field at 4 p.m.

During the day Sunday at Coolray Field, the Elite Series Expo at Coolray Field offers fishing fans an opportunity to check out the latest tackle and visit family-friendly activities such as Get Hooked on Fishing presented by Toyota and Shakespeare, from noon to 2 p.m. Get Hooked on Fishing includes casting lessons, a kids’ fishing pond and chances to meet the Elite pros.

2019 Toyota Bassmaster Elite at Lake Lanier 2/14-2/17
Lake Lanier, Gwinnett  GA.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 3

   Angler                   Hometown              No./lbs-oz  Pts   Total $$$

1.  Chris Zaldain          Fort Worth, TX          15  51-09  100
  Day 1: 5   16-15     Day 2: 5   16-06     Day 3: 5   18-04
2.  David Mullins          Mt Carmel, TN           15  51-04   99
  Day 1: 5   17-12     Day 2: 5   19-06     Day 3: 5   14-02
3.  Paul Mueller           Naugatuck, CT           15  50-08   98
  Day 1: 5   16-11     Day 2: 5   18-04     Day 3: 5   15-09
4.  Keith Combs            Huntington, TX          15  49-10   97
  Day 1: 5   16-06     Day 2: 5   16-15     Day 3: 5   16-05
5.  Bill Weidler           Helena, AL              15  47-02   96
  Day 1: 5   14-10     Day 2: 5   14-11     Day 3: 5   17-13
6.  Stetson Blaylock       Benton, AR              15  46-10   95
  Day 1: 5   13-12     Day 2: 5   18-11     Day 3: 5   14-03
7.  Todd Auten             Lake Wylie, SC          15  46-04   94
  Day 1: 5   16-01     Day 2: 5   12-14     Day 3: 5   17-05
8.  Brandon Card           Knoxville, TN           15  46-01   93
  Day 1: 5   15-15     Day 2: 5   13-12     Day 3: 5   16-06
9.  Chris Johnston         Peterborough Ontario CA 15  45-11   92
  Day 1: 5   15-01     Day 2: 5   16-09     Day 3: 5   14-01
10. Clent Davis            Montevallo, AL          15  45-09   91
  Day 1: 5   15-14     Day 2: 5   15-00     Day 3: 5   14-11
11. Scott Canterbury       Odenville, AL           15  45-07   90  $10,000.00
  Day 1: 5   16-11     Day 2: 5   12-13     Day 3: 5   15-15
12. Drew Cook              Midway, FL              15  45-04   89  $10,000.00
  Day 1: 5   15-14     Day 2: 5   14-00     Day 3: 5   15-06
13. Shane Lineberger       Lincolnton, NC          15  44-08   88  $10,000.00
  Day 1: 5   14-06     Day 2: 5   15-05     Day 3: 5   14-13
14. Brandon Cobb           Greenwood, SC           15  44-05   87  $10,000.00
  Day 1: 5   11-00     Day 2: 5   16-08     Day 3: 5   16-13
15. Lee Livesay            Longview, TX            15  44-02   86  $10,000.00
  Day 1: 5   13-13     Day 2: 5   15-12     Day 3: 5   14-09
16. Randy Sullivan         Breckenridge, TX        15  43-13   85  $10,000.00
  Day 1: 5   15-11     Day 2: 5   12-13     Day 3: 5   15-05
17. Matt Herren            Ashville, AL            15  43-08   84  $10,000.00
  Day 1: 5   13-03     Day 2: 5   15-13     Day 3: 5   14-08
18. Jesse Tacoronte        Kissimmee, FL           15  43-03   83  $10,000.00
  Day 1: 5   15-14     Day 2: 5   12-05     Day 3: 5   15-00
19. Micah Frazier          Newnan, GA              14  42-15   82  $10,000.00
  Day 1: 5   16-11     Day 2: 4   11-05     Day 3: 5   14-15
20. Brian Snowden          Reeds Spring, MO        15  42-11   81  $10,000.00
  Day 1: 5   14-08     Day 2: 5   13-15     Day 3: 5   14-04
21. Brad Whatley           Bivins, TX              15  42-07   80   $7,500.00
  Day 1: 5   15-07     Day 2: 5   13-04     Day 3: 5   13-12
22. Patrick Walters        Summerville, SC         15  42-06   79   $7,500.00
  Day 1: 5   16-12     Day 2: 5   11-13     Day 3: 5   13-13
23. Bill Lowen             Brookville, IN          15  42-01   78   $7,500.00
  Day 1: 5   15-15     Day 2: 5   11-10     Day 3: 5   14-08
24. Chad Morgenthaler      Reeds Spring, MO        15  41-15   77   $7,500.00
  Day 1: 5   11-13     Day 2: 5   16-03     Day 3: 5   13-15
25. Ray Hanselman Jr       Del Rio, TX             15  41-10   76   $7,500.00
  Day 1: 5   16-12     Day 2: 5   11-00     Day 3: 5   13-14
26. Seth Feider            New Market, MN          15  41-10   75   $7,500.00
  Day 1: 5   13-02     Day 2: 5   14-04     Day 3: 5   14-04
27. Hunter Shryock         Newcomerstown, OH       15  41-04   74   $7,500.00
  Day 1: 5   14-15     Day 2: 5   12-13     Day 3: 5   13-08
28. Clifford Pirch         Payson, AZ              15  40-08   73   $7,500.00
  Day 1: 5   15-06     Day 2: 5   12-07     Day 3: 5   12-11
29. Rick Morris            Lake Gaston, VA         14  40-06   72   $7,500.00
  Day 1: 5   17-06     Day 2: 4   10-04     Day 3: 5   12-12
30. Ed Loughran III        Richmond, VA            15  39-06   71   $7,500.00
  Day 1: 5   13-05     Day 2: 5   14-10     Day 3: 5   11-07
31. Steve Kennedy          Auburn, AL              15  39-04   70   $7,500.00
  Day 1: 5   12-12     Day 2: 5   14-04     Day 3: 5   12-04
32. Mike Huff              Corbin, KY              15  37-01   69   $7,500.00
  Day 1: 5   13-11     Day 2: 5   14-01     Day 3: 5   09-05
33. Yusuke Miyazaki        Forney, TX              14  36-05   68   $7,500.00
  Day 1: 5   15-01     Day 2: 5   13-00     Day 3: 4   08-04
34. Garrett Paquette       Canton, MI              12  35-04   67   $7,500.00
  Day 1: 5   13-08     Day 2: 5   16-14     Day 3: 2   04-14
35. Randy Pierson          Oakdale, CA             15  34-10   66   $7,500.00
  Day 1: 5   14-08     Day 2: 5   11-15     Day 3: 5   08-03
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day   #Limits    #Fish      Weight
 1        68       361       988-08
 2        54       335       900-02
 3        33       171       487-09
----------------------------------
         155       867      2376-03

Spring Bass Fishing In Flooded Water – MTB

wpalert

-

February 16, 2019

0

Spring Bass Fishing In Flooded Water

Spring bass fishing can be the best time of the year to catch a trophy. Many factors influence the ups and downs of bass fishing in the spring, including rising lake levels. By keying on a bass’ movements during this condition, you will increase your success rates and straighten out those chart lines on a higher plateau.

What To Throw And Where To Throw It

Stages of rising water present different options to you. When the lake level is at normal pool and starts to rise, you have fewer options, so try flipping a jig to any available cover, usually the first ambush points for bass fishing in the springs flooded areas. If the lake is already high and rising, then you have a lot more targets. However, if it’s already high and the water is in bushes, then you have to figure out how to get through the first line of cover to reach the fish. This can create some problems because bass can be difficult to reach back in the flooded trash.

Bass will also start scattering more if the water is warm. In early spring, bass scatter less in the shallows because the cooler water prevents them from moving far. Sometimes you can find bass along migration routes such as ditches, points or any creases in the terrain rather than in the shallow flooded cover. A prime example is when a lake is rising, but the water temperature is moderate and bass haven’t move up to the bank yet. When this occurs you should key on the bottom structure because the fish will move along the underwater avenues from one line of cover to the next.

Spring Bass Fishing Above The Waterline

When the water starts to rise on some reservoirs in the spring, you can head for the backs of creeks and search for 45-degree banks. As the lake level rises, bass will still relate to the old bank line even when water becomes so high it inundates miles of land in the back of the creeks. Bass might move off into a flooded grass field or a ditch, but these spots will still be near the creek channel.

While some bass in the spring will move extremely shallow into the flooded fields, the majority of the fish will still concentrate around the original bank. The fish relating to the creek channel will congregate around any cover such as flooded timber or log laydowns along the steeper inclines of the old bank line.

Knockout Round is Set as 20 More Anglers Advance out of Elimination on Lake Conroe

wpalert

-

February 16, 2019

0

MLF pro Edwin Evers piled 28 pounds, 12 ounces on SCORETRACKER in Elimination Round 2 to advance to the Knockout Round

Knockout Round is Set as 20 More Anglers Advance

out of Elimination on Lake Conroe

[print_link]

CONROE, Texas (Feb. 15, 2019) – Elimination Round 2 at the Major League Fishing®

(MLF) Bass Pro Tour Huk Stage Two Conroe presented by Favorite Fishing ended with some familiar names on top of the SCORETRACKER® leaderboard: Jordan Lee, Edwin Evers and Andy Montgomery.

Lee and Montgomery entered the day 1-2, and Evers made a move early in the day to put himself well inside the Elimination Line. But while the three enjoyed relatively stress-free days with totals of 47 pounds, 10 ounces, 39-15 and 39-9, respectively, roughly a dozen anglers fighting for their competitive lives around the Elimination Line had exactly the opposite experience.

Among the latter group were Brett Hite, Randall Tharp, Zack Birge and Justin Lucas.

Hite landed a 2-4 on his last cast of the day to leap from 21st to 19th and into his first MLF Knockout Round.

“I’m going to take a breather on that one,” Hite said as he flopped on his front deck immediately after the “lines out” call from his official. Hite covered his face with his hat and took a minute to catch his breath, and then went into celebration mode when it was confirmed that he was indeed in the Knockout Round.

“That was probably the most stressful last couple of hours of fishing in my life,” Hite said once he was upright again. “I kept my head down the whole time, and I knew I’d get a bite sooner or later. I cast up under a boat dock, cranked three times and that fish just KOd it.”

Tharp, who started the morning in fifth place, tapped a 4-1 just 20 minutes into the morning, and then didn’t add another fish to SCORETRACKER until there was 40 minutes left in the final period. That second bite, though, was the right one: a 4-4 that cemented Tharp at 17th.

“It was extremely tough today,” Tharp admitted. “I caught that 4-pounder first thing in the morning, and thought ‘Man, what a great start, let’s build on this’. But as far as I’m concerned, I’m in first place now with the weights zeroing. I know I’m catching the right ones, and I’m having fun fishing the way I love to fish.”

Birge started the day in 20th place, and spent the majority of the first two periods ping-ponging between 17th and 20th, battling Justin Lucas, Stephen Browning, Gary Klein, Mike McClelland and James Elam to stay above the Elimination Line. Birge put together a four-fish flurry over the first 20 minutes of the final period to add 12-8 to his total. Birge finished the day in seventh place.

“I fished that area first thing in the morning, and then left it for four or five hours,” Birge said. “I went back there hoping that some fish had moved in, and they had.”

Lucas jumped into the Top 20 with 13-9 in the first period, but then slowed down in the second period, and finally stalled over the last half of the day. The Alabama pro didn’t put a scorable fish on the scale over the final 3 ½ hours of competition and fell to the dreaded 21st spot with 26-11 (7 ounces behind Gary Klein, who earned the final spot in the Knockout Round).

“I was catching them good the first two periods, never caught a keeper in the third period, and have no idea why,” Lucas admitted. “It feels terrible. I hope everybody finishes 21st at some point. They need to know what that feels like. It’s not fun.”

Knockout Round need-to-know

Weights zero out tomorrow for the Knockout Round, which pits the Top 20 anglers from both A and B groups in a one-day battle for the Top 10 weights of the day. Those 10 anglers will compete in the Championship Round on Sunday.

How/where to watch

Official live scoring updates are available via SCORETRACKER from the start of competition at 7:30 a.m. CT. The MLF NOW! live stream begins at 10 a.m. CT, with on-the-water coverage following the action until the end of competition at 3:30 p.m. The MLF Berkley Postgame Show begins at 5 p.m.

For current daily competition standings, click Results.

L Marine Systems Takes Home a Brand-New Title,  Named Senate Small Business Of The Week

wpalert

-

February 16, 2019

0

L Marine Systems Takes Home a Brand-New Title,  Named Senate Small Business Of The Week

JL Marine Systems – producer of the industry-leading shallow water anchor Power-Pole – snagged a different title this week after Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) bestowed the title of “Senate Small Business of the Week” award to the brand.

“As Chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, it is my pleasure to honor JL Marine Systems, Inc., of Tampa, Florida, as the Senate Small Business of the Week. John Oliverio conceptualized the idea for a different type of shallow water anchor when he continually kept losing sight of fish while he was trying to stop his boat. Today, JL Marine Systems produces the Power-Pole, an extremely innovative shallow water anchor that allows fishermen to lower their anchor without taking their eyes off of their next catch.
“Not only do they produce a unique and innovative product, JL Marine Systems also makes an impact in their community by supporting hurricane relief efforts, local youth sports leagues, and a number of events and fundraisers. Additionally, JL Marine Systems has been honored with a number of awards at various fishing industry conventions. John and the entire team at JL Marine Systems are an outstanding example of Florida’s innovation, and I am proud to honor them as the Senate Small Business of the Week.” – Rubio
Rubio released the following video message to congratulate JL Marine Systems as the Small Business of the Week. A high-quality version of the video for download is available here.

Do you have a favorite story or epic catch you’ve made because of your Power-Pole? We would love to hear, share with the team online through Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram and be sure to tag us and use the hashtag #PowerPoleDown.

To learn more about JL Marine Systems, Power-Pole and its various products, visit them online at www.Power-Pole.com, or its social media pages: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram AND SnapChat.

REGISTRATION OPEN FOR 2019 COSTA FLW HIGH SCHOOL FISHING SUMMER CAMP

wpalert

-

February 16, 2019

0

REGISTRATION OPEN FOR 2019 COSTA FLW HIGH SCHOOL FISHING SUMMER CAMP

FLW and Costa Partner to Offer Students, Coaches and Parents a Summer Camp Experience of a Lifetime on shores of Kentucky Lake

[print_link]

BENTON, Ky. (Feb. 15, 2019) – Fishing League Worldwide (FLW) in partnership with Costa Sunglasses, announced today the second annual Costa FLW High School Fishing Summer Camp, scheduled for July 24-27 on the Murray State University campus, with daily activities on the shores of Kentucky Lake – the South’s Great Lake. The all-inclusive three-day camp is designed for serious high school anglers, parents and coaches who want to gain an edge on the competition by getting hands-on bass fishing experience alongside the biggest names in the industry.

For three action-packed days, attendees will be immersed in instruction from top professionals and industry executives. Students will learn the tools they need to take their fishing and fishing-career readiness to the next level, while parents and coaches learn what they can do to support them. FLW Tour headliners including former FLW Cup champion and Angler of the Year (AOY) Scott Martin, two-time AOY Bryan Thrift, FLW Tour leading money winner and three-time AOY David Dudley, fishing legends Jimmy Houston and Larry Nixon, Costa pros Russell Cecil and Todd Castledine, and many others will be on-site to provide personal instruction on a wide range array of topics for students and parents/coaches.

“The Costa FLW High School Fishing Summer Camp offers a lifetime of lessons for achieving excellence both on and off the water,” Martin said. “Kentucky Lake along with Murray State University provide the perfect backdrop for developing young, talented and hungry anglers. We believe great anglers are developed, not born, and this camp certainly helps to set young anglers up for success.”

Sessions offered at the camp include boating safety, seasonal techniques, electronics, lure and rod building, equipment basics, fish care and off-the-water necessities like building a social media following, career exploration and resume building for the outdoor industry. Courses offered for parents/coaches include best practices for sanctioned teams, optimizing individual and team performance, career readiness and fish care at weigh-ins.

“After the huge success of the inaugural Costa FLW High School Camp in 2018, we are even more excited about this upcoming year,” said Melinda Hays, Costa Bass Community Leader. “Costa knows that young anglers are the future of our sport, and we are committed to helping them become better stewards of our sport – both on and off the water. The camp is also extremely beneficial to parents and coaches of high school bass anglers. It provides ample networking opportunities and strategies to help teach and guide these young anglers.”

Following the week’s activities, campers are invited to put their skills to the test in the FLW Foundation benefit tournament. All proceeds from the tournament go toward High School Fishing scholarships to help less fortunate anglers and teams get out on the water. The tournament, held Saturday, July 27, on Kentucky Lake, features two divisions – a boat division and a kayak division – and one lucky camper will be selected to fish with an FLW Tour pro. Participants are eligible for thousands of dollars in cash prizes, with the winner taking home the Costa FLW High School Fishing Cup. The tournament entry fee is $200 per boat/kayak.

Registration for the Costa FLW High School Fishing Camp will close Saturday, June 30, or when the camp reaches capacity, whichever comes first. The inaugural camp filled within weeks of registration opening, so don’t delay. Cost for the camp is $300 per person, which includes all housing, meals and accommodations at Murray State University in Murray, Kentucky. To sign up for camp, visit https://bit.ly/2019CostaFLWCamp. Anglers that cannot attend camp but would like to fish the FLW Foundation tournament can register at https://bit.ly/2019FLWFoundationTourney.

Mullins Remains Consistent, Grabs Lead At Toyota Bassmaster Elite At Lake Lanier

wpalert

-

February 16, 2019

0

Mullins Remains Consistent, Grabs Lead At Toyota Bassmaster Elite At Lake Lanier

Tennessee’s David Mullins leads the semifinal round of the Toyota Bassmaster Elite At Lake Lanier with a two-day total of 37 pounds, 2 ounces.

Photo by B.A.S.S. / Seigo Saito

Feb. 15, 2019

Mullins Remains Consistent, Grabs Lead At Toyota Bassmaster Elite At Lake Lanier

[print_link]

GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — With each day that passes, Tennessee angler David Mullins sounds more and more confident about his current situation.

He’s learning Lake Lanier’s spotted bass, and it shows in the standings.

After catching 17 pounds, 12 ounces during Thursday’s opening round, Mullins topped that mark Friday with 19-6 and now leads the Toyota Bassmaster Elite at Lake Lanier with a two-day
total of 37-2.

While some anglers have struggled to stay on top of the fishery’s nomadic spotted bass, Mullins has remained consistent — and he still believes he can do better.

“For a while today, I felt like I was ledge fishing,” said Mullins, who had numerous stretches Friday when he caught bass one after another for several minutes. “This is the first day that I’ve
caught multiple fish off a spot.

“It seemed like they grouped up better today.”

Blueback herring are one of the main forage species on Lake Lanier — and as they move around
the lake in large schools, the predatory spotted bass move with them. That means an angler can often catch bass on a spot one day and find they’ve disappeared the next.

But evidence emerged late Friday that Mullins may have developed a more distinct and reliable pattern than many of the other 74 anglers in the field. Around 2 p.m., he caught a 4-pound bass in the same place he caught a 4-pounder the previous day.

He was confident enough what he was doing that he only used one bait all day long.

“I’ve got a rotation now,” he said. “I think I’ve got a clue of what’s going on. The one bait that I’m using is something I have confidence in.

“It’s the one I’m gonna ride or die with.”

Mullins is one of many anglers who have compared Lanier’s hefty spotted bass to smallmouth bass. He’s accustomed to chasing smallmouth on Tennessee fisheries like Cherokee Lake, while
Connecticut’s Paul Mueller has spent his life catching them on northern fisheries — sometimes even through the ice.

After landing 16-11 Thursday, Mueller added 18-4 Friday and moved into second place with 34-15. He said the key right now is keeping an open mind.

“I had a game plan for what I was going to do today — similar to what I did yesterday — and that didn’t work out,” Mueller said. He reverted to techniques and patterns that had paid off for him in practice sessions earlier in the week,“ and it started happening.

“These fish are different. You’ll catch them one day, and they’ll just change. You can’t be set on what you’re going to do, or you’ll be disappointed.”

Mueller said his Garmin Panoptix (sonar) with Livescope allowed him to see how the bass are reacting to the baits he’s using. With Livescope, he said, he can “see” the fish in real time and even gauge their “mood.”

“I think these bass get a lot of pressure,” Mueller said. “So when I say the Livescope allows me to tell their ‘mood,’ I’m being 100 percent serious.

“These fish are boat-shy. It’s an incredible advantage to see how they react to certain baits, whether they come up to the bait or whether they spook.”

Texas angler Keith Combs — one of the most noted power-fishing largemouth specialists in the sport — is in third place with 33-5. He caught 16-15 Friday and came in lamenting what might
have been after losing a spotted bass he estimated was in the 5- to 6-pound range.

“It was like a 20-second fight,” Combs said. “I can see it in my head because it was swimming so slow at the top of the water, just whipped. It was a fish that never in a million years should have come off, but it did.

“That probably burned me for 2 1/2 pounds today. It was like losing a 10-pound largemouth.”

Chris Zaldain of Fort Worth, Texas is tied with Combs for third with 33-5.

Indiana angler Bill Lowen kept his lead in the race for Phoenix Boats Big Bass of the week with the 6-14 largemouth he caught Thursday. Friday’s biggest fish was a 5-6 spotted bass caught by Arkansas pro Stetson Blaylock.

The Top 35 remaining anglers will fish again Saturday, with takeoff scheduled for 6:45 a.m. ET from Laurel Park. The weigh-in, which was held at Laurel Park the previous two days, will move Saturday and Sunday to Coolray Field in Lawrenceville, Ga., at 4 p.m.

After Saturday’s round, only the Top 10 anglers will advance to Championship Sunday with a chance to compete for the $100,000 first-place prize.

2019 Toyota Bassmaster Elite at Lake Lanier 2/14-2/17
Lake Lanier, Gwinnett  GA.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 2

   Angler                   Hometown              No./lbs-oz  Pts   Total $$$

1.  David Mullins          Mt Carmel, TN           10  37-02  100
  Day 1: 5   17-12     Day 2: 5   19-06
2.  Paul Mueller           Naugatuck, CT           10  34-15   99
  Day 1: 5   16-11     Day 2: 5   18-04
3.  Keith Combs            Huntington, TX          10  33-05   98
  Day 1: 5   16-06     Day 2: 5   16-15
3.  Chris Zaldain          Fort Worth, TX          10  33-05   98
  Day 1: 5   16-15     Day 2: 5   16-06
5.  Stetson Blaylock       Benton, AR              10  32-07   96
  Day 1: 5   13-12     Day 2: 5   18-11
6.  Chris Johnston         Peterborough Ontario CA 10  31-10   95
  Day 1: 5   15-01     Day 2: 5   16-09
7.  Clent Davis            Montevallo, AL          10  30-14   94
  Day 1: 5   15-14     Day 2: 5   15-00
8.  Garrett Paquette       Canton, MI              10  30-06   93
  Day 1: 5   13-08     Day 2: 5   16-14
9.  Drew Cook              Midway, FL              10  29-14   92
  Day 1: 5   15-14     Day 2: 5   14-00
10. Brandon Card           Knoxville, TN           10  29-11   91
  Day 1: 5   15-15     Day 2: 5   13-12
11. Shane Lineberger       Lincolnton, NC          10  29-11   90
  Day 1: 5   14-06     Day 2: 5   15-05
12. Lee Livesay            Longview, TX            10  29-09   89
  Day 1: 5   13-13     Day 2: 5   15-12
13. Scott Canterbury       Odenville, AL           10  29-08   88
  Day 1: 5   16-11     Day 2: 5   12-13
14. Bill Weidler           Helena, AL              10  29-05   87
  Day 1: 5   14-10     Day 2: 5   14-11
15. Matt Herren            Ashville, AL            10  29-00   86
  Day 1: 5   13-03     Day 2: 5   15-13
16. Todd Auten             Lake Wylie, SC          10  28-15   85
  Day 1: 5   16-01     Day 2: 5   12-14
17. Brad Whatley           Bivins, TX              10  28-11   84
  Day 1: 5   15-07     Day 2: 5   13-04
18. Patrick Walters        Summerville, SC         10  28-09   83
  Day 1: 5   16-12     Day 2: 5   11-13
19. Randy Sullivan         Breckenridge, TX        10  28-08   82
  Day 1: 5   15-11     Day 2: 5   12-13
20. Brian Snowden          Reeds Spring, MO        10  28-07   81
  Day 1: 5   14-08     Day 2: 5   13-15
21. Jesse Tacoronte        Kissimmee, FL           10  28-03   80
  Day 1: 5   15-14     Day 2: 5   12-05
22. Yusuke Miyazaki        Forney, TX              10  28-01   79
  Day 1: 5   15-01     Day 2: 5   13-00
23. Micah Frazier          Newnan, GA               9  28-00   78
  Day 1: 5   16-11     Day 2: 4   11-05
24. Chad Morgenthaler      Reeds Spring, MO        10  28-00   77
  Day 1: 5   11-13     Day 2: 5   16-03
25. Ed Loughran III        Richmond, VA            10  27-15   76
  Day 1: 5   13-05     Day 2: 5   14-10
26. Clifford Pirch         Payson, AZ              10  27-13   75
  Day 1: 5   15-06     Day 2: 5   12-07
27. Ray Hanselman Jr       Del Rio, TX             10  27-12   74
  Day 1: 5   16-12     Day 2: 5   11-00
28. Hunter Shryock         Newcomerstown, OH       10  27-12   73
  Day 1: 5   14-15     Day 2: 5   12-13
29. Mike Huff              Corbin, KY              10  27-12   72
  Day 1: 5   13-11     Day 2: 5   14-01
30. Rick Morris            Lake Gaston, VA          9  27-10   71
  Day 1: 5   17-06     Day 2: 4   10-04
31. Bill Lowen             Brookville, IN          10  27-09   70
  Day 1: 5   15-15     Day 2: 5   11-10
32. Brandon Cobb           Greenwood, SC           10  27-08   69
  Day 1: 5   11-00     Day 2: 5   16-08
33. Seth Feider            New Market, MN          10  27-06   68
  Day 1: 5   13-02     Day 2: 5   14-04
34. Steve Kennedy          Auburn, AL              10  27-00   67
  Day 1: 5   12-12     Day 2: 5   14-04
35. Randy Pierson          Oakdale, CA             10  26-07   66
  Day 1: 5   14-08     Day 2: 5   11-15
36. Drew Benton            Panama City, FL         10  26-02   65   $5,000.00
  Day 1: 5   12-07     Day 2: 5   13-11
37. Shane LeHew            Catawba, NC             10  25-14   64   $5,000.00
  Day 1: 5   10-06     Day 2: 5   15-08
38. Hank Cherry Jr         Lincolnton, NC          10  25-14   63   $5,000.00
  Day 1: 5   12-08     Day 2: 5   13-06
39. Rob Digh               Denver, NC              10  25-12   62   $5,000.00
  Day 1: 5   10-13     Day 2: 5   14-15
40. Matt Arey              Shelby, NC              10  25-12   61   $5,000.00
  Day 1: 5   11-00     Day 2: 5   14-12
41. Clark Wendlandt        Leander, TX             10  25-10   60   $2,500.00
  Day 1: 5   11-03     Day 2: 5   14-07
42. Caleb Sumrall          New Iberia, LA          10  25-05   59   $2,500.00
  Day 1: 5   13-15     Day 2: 5   11-06
43. Skylar Hamilton        Dandridge, TN           10  25-05   58   $2,500.00
  Day 1: 5   11-15     Day 2: 5   13-06
44. Brandon Lester         Fayetteville, TN        10  25-01   57   $2,500.00
  Day 1: 5   14-00     Day 2: 5   11-01
45. Derek Hudnall          Baton Rouge, LA         10  24-13   56   $2,500.00
  Day 1: 5   14-04     Day 2: 5   10-09
46. Carl Jocumsen          Queensland TX AUSTRALIA  9  24-08   55   $2,500.00
  Day 1: 5   13-00     Day 2: 4   11-08
47. Greg DiPalma           Millville, NJ           10  24-08   54   $2,500.00
  Day 1: 5   12-13     Day 2: 5   11-11
48. Jeff Gustafson         Keewatin Ontario CANADA  7  24-02   53   $2,500.00
  Day 1: 5   19-02     Day 2: 2   05-00
49. Cory Johnston          Cavan CANADA            10  23-05   52   $2,500.00
  Day 1: 5   11-04     Day 2: 5   12-01
50. Jason Williamson       Wagener, SC              9  23-05   51   $2,500.00
  Day 1: 4   11-04     Day 2: 5   12-01
51. Tyler Carriere         Youngsville, LA         10  23-01   50   $2,500.00
  Day 1: 5   09-05     Day 2: 5   13-12
52. Rick Clunn             Ava, MO                 10  23-01   49   $2,500.00
  Day 1: 5   12-15     Day 2: 5   10-02
53. Kyle Monti             Okeechobee, FL           9  22-13   48   $2,500.00
  Day 1: 5   11-14     Day 2: 4   10-15
54. Chad Pipkens           Lansing, MI              8  22-11   47   $2,500.00
  Day 1: 5   14-12     Day 2: 3   07-15
55. Luke Palmer            Coalgate, OK            10  22-09   46   $2,500.00
  Day 1: 5   11-05     Day 2: 5   11-04
56. Brock Mosley           Collinsville, MS         8  21-15   45   $2,500.00
  Day 1: 5   14-04     Day 2: 3   07-11
57. Jamie Hartman          Newport, NY              8  21-13   44   $2,500.00
  Day 1: 5   15-08     Day 2: 3   06-05
58. John Crews Jr          Salem, VA               10  21-10   43   $2,500.00
  Day 1: 5   11-14     Day 2: 5   09-12
59. Quentin Cappo          Prairieville, LA         8  20-12   42   $2,500.00
  Day 1: 3   06-03     Day 2: 5   14-09
60. Jay Yelas              Lincoln City, OR        10  20-08   41   $2,500.00
  Day 1: 5   11-01     Day 2: 5   09-07
61. Gary Clouse            Winchester, TN           7  20-07   40   $2,500.00
  Day 1: 5   15-02     Day 2: 2   05-05
62. Tyler Rivet            Raceland, LA             8  19-15   39   $2,500.00
  Day 1: 5   13-10     Day 2: 3   06-05
63. Harvey Horne           Bella Vista, AR          9  19-05   38   $2,500.00
  Day 1: 5   10-10     Day 2: 4   08-11
64. Jake Whitaker          Fairview, NC             9  19-03   37   $2,500.00
  Day 1: 5   10-02     Day 2: 4   09-01
65. Brett Preuett          Monroe, LA               8  19-02   36   $2,500.00
  Day 1: 5   11-07     Day 2: 3   07-11
66. Chris Groh             Spring Grove, IL         7  18-15   35   $2,500.00
  Day 1: 2   05-06     Day 2: 5   13-09
67. Bernie Schultz         Gainesville, FL          9  18-15   34   $2,500.00
  Day 1: 5   12-11     Day 2: 4   06-04
68. David Fritts           Lexington, NC            8  18-12   33   $2,500.00
  Day 1: 5   11-09     Day 2: 3   07-03
69. Kelley Jaye            Dadeville, AL            8  18-01   32   $2,500.00
  Day 1: 5   09-10     Day 2: 3   08-07
70. Frank Talley           Temple, TX               7  17-07   31   $2,500.00
  Day 1: 5   12-04     Day 2: 2   05-03
71. Robbie Latuso          Gonzales, LA             7  15-14   30   $2,500.00
  Day 1: 4   09-10     Day 2: 3   06-04
72. Cliff Prince           Palatka, FL              5  15-03   29   $2,500.00
  Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 5   15-03
73. Koby Kreiger           Alva, FL                 7  15-03   28   $2,500.00
  Day 1: 4   10-13     Day 2: 3   04-06
74. Mark Menendez          Paducah, KY              7  14-14   27   $2,500.00
  Day 1: 4   08-07     Day 2: 3   06-07
75. Dale Hightower         Mannford, OK             6  12-13   26   $2,500.00
  Day 1: 5   11-03     Day 2: 1   01-10
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day   #Limits    #Fish      Weight
 1        68       361       988-08
 2        54       335       900-02
----------------------------------
         122       696      1888-10

Giant Bass Will Greet Anglers At Bassmaster Central Open On Toledo Bend Reservoir

wpalert

-

February 16, 2019

0

Giant Bass Will Greet Anglers At Bassmaster Central Open On Toledo Bend Reservoir

A field of 218 anglers are set to compete at the first Basspro.com Bassmaster Central Open of the season on Louisiana’s Toledo Bend Reservoir Feb. 20-22.

Photo by B.A.S.S.

Feb. 15, 2019

Giant Bass Will Greet Anglers At Bassmaster Central Open On Toledo Bend Reservoir

[print_link]

MANY, La. — Fireworks. That’s what anglers competing in the 2019 Basspro.com Bassmaster Central Open at Toledo Bend can expect next week.

Less than 75 days into the year, the lake has already given up 22 largemouth over 10 pounds, with the biggest weighing 11.49 pounds. Plus, a 29.83-pound limit was weighed in during a recent couples tournament. And according to local anglers, it’s only going to get better.

“Fishing is so good right now, trucks are lined up a quarter-mile down the street from every launch ramp,” said Linda Curtis-Sparks, director of Sabine Parish Tourist Commission. “So, the timing really couldn’t be better for the event.”

The tournament is scheduled for Feb. 20-22, with daily takeoffs at 6:45 a.m. CT from Cypress Bend Boat Ramp, where daily weigh-ins will begin at 2:45 p.m. A bulging field of 218 boats will compete the first two days, with only the Top 12 pros and co-anglers advancing to Saturday’s final round.

Longtime Toledo Bend guide Jerry Thompson predicts the event will be epic.

“February is typically when the spawn kicks off for us, but we’ve had so many late-season cold fronts, the bass are a little slow to move shallow. That said, some fish will be on beds, but I think the monster limits will be caught from staging areas.”

There is no shortage of staging areas on the 185,000-acre reservoir. Thompson thinks the magic depth range will be between 8 and 15 feet, and that crankbaits and jigs will likely be responsible for the winning weight.

“If a guy wants to win this tournament, he will need to find a pile of prespawners, and they need to be big. It’s easy to catch a limit of 4-pounders right now, so I wouldn’t be content until there is 25 pounds swimming in the livewell,” Thompson said.

Some competitors may be intimidated by the muddy water flowing through Toledo Bend right now, but Thompson said that shouldn’t be an issue. “The lake has been so muddy for so long now, the fish are used to it. They are biting like they do when it’s just a little stained.”

Not only is the timing good for anglers looking to catch their personal best, but it is also perfect to celebrate the 50th anniversary of this storied fishery.

Construction of the Toledo Bend Dam, spillway and power plant began in 1964 and was completed in 1969. As the lake filled, the bass population exploded and caught the attention of Ray Scott. B.A.S.S. held a professional tournament competition on Toledo Bend for the first time in 1970 and has been back 15 times since.

The histories of the world’s largest tournament organization and this giant reservoir on the border of Louisiana and Texas have been interlocked for almost five decades.

“It’s like B.A.S.S. and Toledo Bend have been in a long-term marriage,” Curtis-Sparks explained. “With the guidance of B.A.S.S. to inspire more tournaments to be held here, we have cut hundreds of miles of boat roads and marked them with thousands of buoys for safe travel on the water. B.A.S.S. required event space for 400 anglers, as well as 200 rooms close together, so we renovated Cypress Bend Resort to meet these standards. B.A.S.S. even helped us design the boat launch area to better serve anglers. I’ll put it this way, we are building a Toledo Bend Museum, and B.A.S.S. will have its own section!”

Toledo Bend was the first fishery ever to be named No. 1 on Bassmaster Magazine’s 100 Best Bass Lakes rankings two years in a row. Based on the predictions for this upcoming Basspro.com Bassmaster Central Open, another historical milestone could be etched in the shared histories of B.A.S.S. and Toledo Bend.

This event will be hosted by the Louisiana Office of Tourism; Toledo Bend Lake County; Sabine River Authority; Cypress Bend Park Golf Resort, Spa, and Conference Center; and Discover DeSoto Parish Louisiana.

Nolan Pulley wins ABA on Lake Russell

wpalert

-

February 15, 2019

0

Nolan Pulley wins on Lake Russell

print_link

February 10th, 2019 Elberton, GA. Twenty-two anglers launched from the Elberton boat ramp near Elberton, GA. The temps started out in the low 40’s and only warmed a degree or so by the 3 pm weigh-in time. Water temps were in the low 50’s due to several prior days of temps in the mid-’70s before the tournament. Sixteen of the twenty-two anglers caught a five-fish limit, but when the scales closed it was Nolan Pulley of Simpsonville, SC who took the victory with a whopping 18.74lbs. For the win, Nolan took home $559 for 1st Place + $114 for 1st Place Option Pot + $105 for Big Fish for a total of $778 in prize money.

Second amongst the competitors was Darren Ashley of Calhoun Falls, SC with five fish that locked in the scales at 14.10lbs. For his efforts, he took home $331 plus $76 for 2nd Place Option Pot for a total of $407 in prize money.

Third place was claimed by Stephen Hayes of Simpsonville, SC with five fish and a total weight of 13.87lbs. For his efforts, he took home $108.

Fourth place was Marcus Allen of Anderson, SC with a limit weighing in at 12.18lbs. Marcus took home $79 for his efforts.

The Biggest Bass of the tournament was caught by Nolan Pulley of Simpsonville, SC. His fish locked in the scales at 5.41lbs earning him $105 in prize money.

Top ten finishers:

1st	Nolan Pulley	18.74-lbs
2nd	Darren Ashley	14.10-lbs
3rd	Stephen Hayes	13.87-lbs
4th	Marcus Allen	12.18-lbs
5th	Russell Clark	12.16-lbs
6th	Bill Pinion	12.09-lbs
7th	Jonathon Webb	11.64-lbs
8th	Charles Cook	10.33-lbs
9th	Bryan Waddell	10.26-lbs
10th	Greg Tabuck	9.73-lbs

The next tournament in this division will take place on March 3rdth, 2019 launching from the Dorn Facility on Clarks Hill Lake.
For more information on this event or division please contact local director Grover Jones at (252)-217-2893 or visit www.americanbassanglers.com

About American Bass Anglers – American Bass Anglers is committed to providing low cost, close to home tournaments for the weekend angler while offering an upward path for individual angler progression. For more information about American Bass Anglers and all their bass tournament trails visit www.americanbassanglers.com.

American Bass Anglers is sponsored by: Bass Pro Shops, Triton Boats, Mercury Marine, Nitro Boats, Tracker Boats, MotorGuide, Garmin, T-H Marine, Abu Garcia, Berkley, Engel Coolers, Four Roses Bourbon, Lucas Oil, Optima Batteries, Maui Jim, and Power-Pole. Mailing address: American Bass Anglers, Inc, PO Box 475, Athens, AL 35612 PH (256) 232-0406.

Evinrude Donates $2 Million in Engines to ABYC Foundation to Combat Industry-Wide Technician Shortage

wpalert

-

February 15, 2019

0

Evinrude Donates $2 Million in
Engines to ABYC Foundation to Combat Industry-Wide Technician Shortage

[print_link]

Evinrude’s Donation, the Largest to Marine Tech Education in History, Will Help Train the Next Generation of Marine Technicians

Miami, Fla., February 14, 2019 – Evinrude, the American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) and the National Marine Distributors Association (NMDA) announced today that Evinrude will donate two million dollars’ worth of Evinrude ETEC G2 3.4L V6 outboard engines to the ABYC Foundation supporting next generation marine technician training. The donation, which is the largest of its kind in history, will support students in high schools and colleges across the U.S. and Canada. NMDA will be providing matching funds to assist schools, as needed, with costs associated with purchasing test tanks, tools and with shipping outboards.

“Recreational boats are becoming increasingly more integrated which requires technicians to be well versed in a multitude of advanced systems,” said Tracy Crocker, senior vice president and general manager, Evinrude. “By donating Evinrude engines and our training curriculum, we are providing the tools necessary to increase the number of certified professionals trained to service modern, technologically-advanced direct fuel-injection engines. Furthermore, we are maintaining Evinrude’s long-standing commitment to the marine industry, while meeting dealer demands for additionally trained and talented employees.”

Evinrude’s donation includes access to the entire Evinrude training curriculum, including fundamentals and professional level online courses. Upon successful completion of this curriculum and associated tests, students will have the option to transition to the certification-level course at Evinrude’s technical training centers. In addition to the Evinrude training curriculum, highly discounted Evinrude outboard engine test tanks and Evinrude outboard educational service tool packages are available to schools.

ABYC is the premier non-profit member organization that develops global safety standards for the design, construction, maintenance, and repair of recreational boats. With the recent publication of Fundamentals of Marine Service Technology, a comprehensive training program geared toward secondary and post-secondary education, ABYC has demonstrated its commitment to the growth of the marine industry and is a natural partner for the donation. ABYC will offer this accredited curriculum, which includes textbooks and training materials, together with the Evinrude outboards and training curriculum to schools. This program gives schools the tools needed to implement a standards-based curriculum including instructor guides, presentations, and sample tests.

“ABYC is focused on addressing the shortage of qualified marine technicians by developing and marketing an accredited technical education program,” said John Adey, president, ABYC. “Evinrude’s donation will provide these students hands-on experience servicing marine engines based on ABYC’s current curriculum and is a key step in ABYC’s efforts to address the shortage of qualified marine technicians. While ABYC’s curriculum is general in nature, the addition of manufacturer-specific training enhances the value of the student to potential employers.”

“Technical education and hands-on training need our full support so that students can develop their technical abilities and creativity,” said Jeff Wasil, engineering manager, Emissions and Regulatory Development, Evinrude. “The donation package and partnership put together by Evinrude, ABYC, and NMDA provides a comprehensive marine technical training program, supporting schools and students with the tools they need to be successful in this industry.”

“NMDA’s mission is to advance industry growth by strengthening the supply chain, providing training and education, promoting best practices, and fostering partnerships with industry stakeholders,” said Nancy Cueroni, executive director, NMDA. “This donation from Evinrude is a historic step in support of marine education and we are thrilled to partner with Evinrude and ABYC to make this program possible.”

To address the marine industry’s need for post-secondary technical education, ABYC developed the Marine League of Schools. ABYC assists these schools in the areas of standards-based curriculum development and instructor training/certification to help ensure that the training provided is relevant and up-to-date. Member schools are nationwide and held to a high standard due to their affiliation with ABYC. Evinrude’s outboard engine and curriculum donation is being made available to these schools.

“Our faculty is very excited about the opportunity to access Evinrude’s innovative technology for our students,” said Ann Avary, director, Skagit Valley College, Center of Excellence for Marine Manufacturing & Technology. “We hope this donation will inspire young people to pursue rewarding careers in the marine industry and open their eyes to the many opportunities available to them as marine technicians. We’re especially grateful to ABYC for its leadership and work in support of the educational mission of the Marine League of Schools, making this donation and opportunity possible.”

Interested accredited schools can apply online by visiting the ABYC Foundation website at www.abycfoundation.org or contact ABYC for further information. Evinrude and NMDA will also be reaching out to their dealerships and distributor networks to identify specific schools which would provide the most meaningful impacts to local communities.

Broward College in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Fort Myers Technical College, Fort Myers, Florida, and Skagit Valley College in Mount Vernon, Washington, have already received engines. The remainder of the engines are scheduled to be placed within the next 12-36 months.

Canadian Pro Gustafson Feels At Home In Georgia, Takes Lead At Bassmaster Elite

wpalert

-

February 15, 2019

0

Canadian Pro Gustafson Feels At Home In Georgia, Takes Lead At Bassmaster Elite

Canada’s Jeff Gustafson leads the opening round of the Toyota Bassmaster Elite At Lake Lanier with 19 pounds, 2 ounces.

Photo by B.A.S.S. / Seigo Saito

Feb. 14, 2019

Canadian Pro Gustafson Feels At Home In Georgia, Takes Lead At Bassmaster Elite

[print_link]

GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — Jeff Gustafson said coming into this week that Lake Lanier on the
historic Chattahoochee River was probably his favorite fishery in the lower 48 United States.

Thursday didn’t do a thing to change his mind.

The 36-year-old first-year Elite Series pro from Keewatin, Canada, caught five bass that weighed
19 pounds, 2 ounces and took the lead in the Toyota Bassmaster Elite at Lake Lanier. He said
the lake reminds him of home — even though he is more than 2,000 miles away, fishing for
green spotted bass instead of brown smallmouth.

“Obviously, today was a lot more fun for me than last week when I had two fish to start out my
Elite Series career in Florida,” Gustafson said. “I’m not catching a lot of fish, but I got some good
ones today.”

Gustafson learned to love Lake Lanier last year when he finished seventh here in an FLW Tour
event. He said that prior knowledge told him what was swimming in the lake — but not how to
catch them this week.

“It’s completely different this year,” he said. “I didn’t catch fish off any of the places that I did
last year.

“But I like fishing for spots. These things act a lot like the smallmouths do up at Lake of the
Woods, where I live.”

Gustafson’s two biggest fish — both spotted bass in the 4-pound range — were the first two he
put in his livewell. His finesse tactics included a jerkbait, a swimbait and other lures he said
were “really no secret.”

His biggest obstacle of the day was the light line he’s using to target fish in the clear water. He
said he broke off two bass in brushpiles that could have helped him eclipse the 20-pound mark.

Gustafson’s bag topped a day that was dominated by healthy spotted bass that looked like they
had all swallowed footballs. David Mullins of Mount Carmel, Tenn., was second with 17-12,
followed by Virginia pro Rick Morris with 17-6 and Californian Chris Zaldain with 16-15.

Like Gustafson, Mullins said his experience with smallmouth — albeit on Tennessee’s Cherokee
Lake — played a role in his Day 1 success.

“This lake fishes a lot like home, where you have a window in the morning for about an hour
and half to two hours and then it kicks back up in the evening,” Mullins said. “It’s the same way
at home — and if you have wind, it seems like they’ll bite all day long.

“The wind just didn’t blow much today.”

Mullins wasn’t the only angler who said the flat, calm conditions made the fishing tougher
Thursday. Likewise, he wasn’t the only one excited about Friday’s forecast that calls for clouds,
increased winds and rain showers beginning around 1 p.m.

“If it stays cloudy with a low ceiling all day, I feel like I’m going to catch them,” Mullins said.
“When I don’t catch them is when it gets sunny and slick.”

Morris, a noted shallow-water expert, said he leaned on his background from Upstate New York
to find the Lake Lanier spots.

“I grew up with a spinning rod in my hand,” Morris said. “When I first went pro in the Opens, I
had all spinning rods on the deck — didn’t even know how to throw a baitcaster. I have
spinning-rod skills, and I had to apply them today.”

Though he said he’d rather be fishing fast, he used a slow finesse game Thursday around deep
structure.

“I caught probably a dozen fish,” Morris said, “so I feel pretty confident that I can go out and
probably catch 13 to 14 pounds tomorrow.”

One of the few big largemouth brought in Thursday belonged to Indiana pro Bill Lowen. It
weighed 6-14 and claimed the lead in the race for Phoenix Boats Big Bass of the week.

Patrick Walters, who took the lead in the DICK’S Sporting Goods Rookie of the Year race last
week with a fourth-place finish on the St. Johns River, had another stellar day Thursday. The 24-
year-old South Carolina pro caught five bass that weighed 16-12 and finished tied for fifth place
with Ray Hanselman Jr.

“I came into the season thinking (Toyota Bassmaster) Angler of the Year,” Walters said. “If you
think like that — and fish like that — Rookie of the Year will take care of itself.” As the leader in
the DICK’S Sporting Goods Rookie of the Year race, Walters collected $500. He’ll get another
$500 if he retains the lead after this week’s Elite event, and $10,000 if he earns the crown at
season’s end.

Other bonus awards winners from the Power-Pole Bassmaster Elite at St. Johns River last week
were Rick Clunn, who won $1,000 for being the Toyota AOY leader and John Crews Jr., who
collected the $1,500 Phoenix Boats Big Bass award for his 11-2 largemouth.

The tournament resumes Friday, with takeoff scheduled for 6:45 a.m. from Laurel Park in Hall
County and weigh-in back at the park at 3:10 p.m. Only the Top 35 anglers will advance to
Saturday’s semifinal round.

Takeoffs Saturday and Sunday will also be at 6:45 a.m. from Laurel Park, but the weigh-ins will
shift to Coolray Field on Buford Dr. in Lawrenceville, Ga., at 4 p.m.

2019 Toyota Bassmaster Elite at Lake Lanier 2/14-2/17
Lake Lanier, Gwinnett  GA.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 1

   Angler                   Hometown              No./lbs-oz  Pts   Total $$$

1.  Jeff Gustafson         Keewatin Ontario CANADA  5  19-02  100
  Day 1: 5   19-02
2.  David Mullins          Mt Carmel, TN            5  17-12   99
  Day 1: 5   17-12
3.  Rick Morris            Lake Gaston, VA          5  17-06   98
  Day 1: 5   17-06
4.  Chris Zaldain          Fort Worth, TX           5  16-15   97
  Day 1: 5   16-15
5.  Ray Hanselman Jr       Del Rio, TX              5  16-12   96
  Day 1: 5   16-12
5.  Patrick Walters        Summerville, SC          5  16-12   96
  Day 1: 5   16-12
7.  Scott Canterbury       Odenville, AL            5  16-11   94
  Day 1: 5   16-11
7.  Micah Frazier          Newnan, GA               5  16-11   94
  Day 1: 5   16-11
7.  Paul Mueller           Naugatuck, CT            5  16-11   94
  Day 1: 5   16-11
10. Keith Combs            Huntington, TX           5  16-06   91
  Day 1: 5   16-06
11. Todd Auten             Lake Wylie, SC           5  16-01   90
  Day 1: 5   16-01
12. Brandon Card           Knoxville, TN            5  15-15   89
  Day 1: 5   15-15
12. Bill Lowen             Brookville, IN           5  15-15   89
  Day 1: 5   15-15
14. Drew Cook              Midway, FL               5  15-14   87
  Day 1: 5   15-14
14. Clent Davis            Montevallo, AL           5  15-14   87
  Day 1: 5   15-14
14. Jesse Tacoronte        Kissimmee, FL            5  15-14   87
  Day 1: 5   15-14
17. Randy Sullivan         Breckenridge, TX         5  15-11   84
  Day 1: 5   15-11
18. Jamie Hartman          Newport, NY              5  15-08   83
  Day 1: 5   15-08
19. Brad Whatley           Bivins, TX               5  15-07   82
  Day 1: 5   15-07
20. Clifford Pirch         Payson, AZ               5  15-06   81
  Day 1: 5   15-06
21. Gary Clouse            Winchester, TN           5  15-02   80
  Day 1: 5   15-02
22. Chris Johnston         Peterborough Ontario CA  5  15-01   79
  Day 1: 5   15-01
22. Yusuke Miyazaki        Forney, TX               5  15-01   79
  Day 1: 5   15-01
24. Hunter Shryock         Newcomerstown, OH        5  14-15   77
  Day 1: 5   14-15
25. Chad Pipkens           Lansing, MI              5  14-12   76
  Day 1: 5   14-12
26. Bill Weidler           Helena, AL               5  14-10   75
  Day 1: 5   14-10
27. Randy Pierson          Oakdale, CA              5  14-08   74
  Day 1: 5   14-08
27. Brian Snowden          Reeds Spring, MO         5  14-08   74
  Day 1: 5   14-08
29. Shane Lineberger       Lincolnton, NC           5  14-06   72
  Day 1: 5   14-06
30. Derek Hudnall          Baton Rouge, LA          5  14-04   71
  Day 1: 5   14-04
30. Brock Mosley           Collinsville, MS         5  14-04   71
  Day 1: 5   14-04
32. Brandon Lester         Fayetteville, TN         5  14-00   69
  Day 1: 5   14-00
33. Caleb Sumrall          New Iberia, LA           5  13-15   68
  Day 1: 5   13-15
34. Lee Livesay            Longview, TX             5  13-13   67
  Day 1: 5   13-13
35. Stetson Blaylock       Benton, AR               5  13-12   66
  Day 1: 5   13-12
36. Mike Huff              Corbin, KY               5  13-11   65
  Day 1: 5   13-11
37. Tyler Rivet            Raceland, LA             5  13-10   64
  Day 1: 5   13-10
38. Garrett Paquette       Canton, MI               5  13-08   63
  Day 1: 5   13-08
39. Ed Loughran III        Richmond, VA             5  13-05   62
  Day 1: 5   13-05
40. Matt Herren            Ashville, AL             5  13-03   61
  Day 1: 5   13-03
41. Seth Feider            New Market, MN           5  13-02   60
  Day 1: 5   13-02
42. Carl Jocumsen          Queensland TX AUSTRALIA  5  13-00   59
  Day 1: 5   13-00
43. Rick Clunn             Ava, MO                  5  12-15   58
  Day 1: 5   12-15
44. Greg DiPalma           Millville, NJ            5  12-13   57
  Day 1: 5   12-13
45. Steve Kennedy          Auburn, AL               5  12-12   56
  Day 1: 5   12-12
46. Bernie Schultz         Gainesville, FL          5  12-11   55
  Day 1: 5   12-11
47. Hank Cherry Jr         Lincolnton, NC           5  12-08   54
  Day 1: 5   12-08
48. Drew Benton            Panama City, FL          5  12-07   53
  Day 1: 5   12-07
49. Frank Talley           Temple, TX               5  12-04   52
  Day 1: 5   12-04
50. Skylar Hamilton        Dandridge, TN            5  11-15   51
  Day 1: 5   11-15
51. John Crews Jr          Salem, VA                5  11-14   50
  Day 1: 5   11-14
51. Kyle Monti             Okeechobee, FL           5  11-14   50
  Day 1: 5   11-14
53. Chad Morgenthaler      Reeds Spring, MO         5  11-13   48
  Day 1: 5   11-13
54. David Fritts           Lexington, NC            5  11-09   47
  Day 1: 5   11-09
55. Brett Preuett          Monroe, LA               5  11-07   46
  Day 1: 5   11-07
56. Luke Palmer            Coalgate, OK             5  11-05   45
  Day 1: 5   11-05
57. Cory Johnston          Cavan CANADA             5  11-04   44
  Day 1: 5   11-04
58. Jason Williamson       Wagener, SC              4  11-04   43
  Day 1: 4   11-04
59. Dale Hightower         Mannford, OK             5  11-03   42
  Day 1: 5   11-03
59. Clark Wendlandt        Leander, TX              5  11-03   42
  Day 1: 5   11-03
61. Jay Yelas              Lincoln City, OR         5  11-01   40
  Day 1: 5   11-01
62. Matt Arey              Shelby, NC               5  11-00   39
  Day 1: 5   11-00
62. Brandon Cobb           Greenwood, SC            5  11-00   39
  Day 1: 5   11-00
64. Rob Digh               Denver, NC               5  10-13   37
  Day 1: 5   10-13
65. Koby Kreiger           Alva, FL                 4  10-13   36
  Day 1: 4   10-13
66. Harvey Horne           Bella Vista, AR          5  10-10   35
  Day 1: 5   10-10
67. Shane Lehew            Catawba, NC              5  10-06   34
  Day 1: 5   10-06
68. Jake Whitaker          Fairview, NC             5  10-02   33
  Day 1: 5   10-02
69. Kelley Jaye            Dadeville, AL            5  09-10   32
  Day 1: 5   09-10
70. Robbie Latuso          Gonzales, LA             4  09-10   31
  Day 1: 4   09-10
71. Tyler Carriere         Youngsville, LA          5  09-05   30
  Day 1: 5   09-05
72. Mark Menendez          Paducah, KY              4  08-07   29
  Day 1: 4   08-07
73. Quentin Cappo          Prairieville, LA         3  06-03   28
  Day 1: 3   06-03
74. Chris Groh             Spring Grove, IL         2  05-06   27
  Day 1: 2   05-06
75. Cliff Prince           Palatka, FL              0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day   #Limits    #Fish      Weight
 1        68       361       988-08
----------------------------------
          68       361       988-08

basscastPRO

basscastPRO

The Bass CastYour Tourney News Headquarters

The Bass CastPRO

Zaldain Takes Lead Heading Into Final Day Of Toyota Bassmaster Elite At Lake Lanier

Spring Bass Fishing In Flooded Water – MTB

Spring Bass Fishing In Flooded Water

What To Throw And Where To Throw It

Spring Bass Fishing Above The Waterline

Knockout Round is Set as 20 More Anglers Advance out of Elimination on Lake Conroe

L Marine Systems Takes Home a Brand-New Title,  Named Senate Small Business Of The Week

REGISTRATION OPEN FOR 2019 COSTA FLW HIGH SCHOOL FISHING SUMMER CAMP

Mullins Remains Consistent, Grabs Lead At Toyota Bassmaster Elite At Lake Lanier

Giant Bass Will Greet Anglers At Bassmaster Central Open On Toledo Bend Reservoir

Nolan Pulley wins ABA on Lake Russell

Evinrude Donates $2 Million in Engines to ABYC Foundation to Combat Industry-Wide Technician Shortage

Evinrude Donates $2 Million in
Engines to ABYC Foundation to Combat Industry-Wide Technician Shortage

Canadian Pro Gustafson Feels At Home In Georgia, Takes Lead At Bassmaster Elite

The Bass CastPRO

Follow Us

The latest

Mark Cannon & David Wright Win CATT Yadkin on High Rock Lake! 27.86 lbs with a BF at 6.50 lbs!

Britt Myers Win the CATT Lake Wylie Fall Final! 17.85 lbs & BF at 4.65 lbs!

Mike Stephens Wins CATT Lake Wylie! 5 Bass weighing gup at 16.05 lbs!