GEORGETOWN, S.C. — Forgoing a long run to the presumed big-bass “promised land” of the Cooper River, South Carolina’s Jason Williamson remained close to the takeoff site and found the right bites to amass a five-bass limit of 15 pounds, 11 ounces which leads Day 1 of the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Elite at Winyah Bay.
While over half the field committed to a hour-plus run south along the Intracoastal Waterway, through Charleston Harbor and into the Cooper River and surrounding waterways, Williamson stayed in the Waccamaw River and played his time-management strategy to perfection. Essential to his plan was a thorough and persistent approach.
“A lot of guys are running the bank and flipping. You have some fish that are spawning supershallow. You have some postspawners that are done. And you have some that haven’t spawned yet,” Williamson said. “What I’m doing is trying to get the best of all three worlds in one area.
“I’m fishing shallow, I’m backing out and fishing deeper and I’m doing some midrange stuff too. A lot of guys are buzzing through an area, catching what’s aggressive and then going. I caught what was aggressive, then I backed out and got a few more bites. Adjusting throughout the day was key for me today.”
Williamson threw a mix of flipping baits, topwaters and finesse baits. The right area, he said, was one with greater depth than surrounding backwater spots. This allows the fish comfortable postspawn habitat, which keeps them in the area longer.
“Some of these backwaters have 12 to 15 feet of depth, and those fish move up and down with the tide; they adjust throughout the day,” Williamson said. “I was able to move with them in one area.”
The area Williamson fished had a mix of lily pads, docks, wood and some rock. This diversity ensured significant forage to hold quality fish.
Williamson’s catch included a 6-10 largemouth that leads the $1,500 Phoenix Boats Big Bass award competition. BASSTrakk had reflected a 5-pounder on his catch record, but Williamson admits the thrill of the moment caused him to underestimate.
“I caught her this morning pretty early and I was so excited I put her in the livewell and didn’t really realize she was that big,” Williamson said. “I thought she was 5- to 5 1/2 pounds, so it was a pleasant surprise.
“You look at the weights here through history and you think ‘I don’t know if it’s possible to catch that kind of weight fishing where I’m fishing. But after today, I have a lot more confidence that there are some bigger fish that live here than I thought.”
In second place, Hunter Shryock also stayed local, committing his day to the Santee River and securing a limit that weighed 15-8. He caught his bass by flipping a Berkley Havoc Pit Boss around cypress trees.
The problem he faced was recent releases from Santee Cooper Lakes pushed a tremendous amount of water into the river and raised the level about 3 feet since his last day of practice. This eliminated many of his spots, but he was able to dial in one viable area.
“The good thing about this one area is that the higher water has the fish penned into one spot where I can reach them,” Shryock said. “If the water gets much higher, it will push them too far into the (shoreline cover), and I won’t be able to reach them. I might end up running to the Cooper River tomorrow.”
In third place, Luke Palmer made the run to the Cooper River and returned with a limit that weighed 14-2. Palmer is using an undisclosed mix of reaction baits and slower presentations. For him, the day’s stiff east wind created a challenge for his preferred game plan.
“I wish the tide would have gone out a little more than it did,” he said. “I really like for the tide to come on out and get down that drain so I can pinpoint them a lot easier. I’m staying in drains with hydrilla, and that’s the difference.”
Rounding out the Top 5 are Indiana pro Bill Lowen with 13-4 and Alabamian Clent Davis with 12-14.
The tournament will resume Friday with takeoff at 7 a.m. ET from Carroll Ashmore Campbell Marine Complex. Weigh-in will be held at the same location at 3:15 p.m.
Only the Top 35 anglers will advance after Friday’s second round.
2019 Bassmaster Elite Series Platinum Sponsor: Toyota
2019 Bassmaster Elite At Winyah Bay Title Sponsor: Bass Pro Shops
2019 Bassmaster Elite Series Premier Sponsors: Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Power-Pole, Skeeter Boats, Talon, Triton Boats, Yamaha, Abu Garcia, Berkley
2019 Bassmaster Elite Series Supporting Sponsors: Bass Pro Shops, Carhartt, Lowrance, Mossy Oak Fishing, T-H Marine, Academy Sports + Outdoors
Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Elite at Winyah Bay Host Sponsor: Georgetown County
About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S. is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport, providing cutting edge content on bass fishing whenever, wherever and however bass fishing fans want to use it. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the 510,000-member organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), television show (The Bassmasters on ESPN2), radio show (Bassmaster Radio), social media programs and events. For more than 50 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.
The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Bassmaster Elite Series, BassPro.com Bassmaster Open Series, TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Series, Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Mossy Oak Fishing Bassmaster High School Series presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors, Bassmaster Team Championship and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods.
2019 Bassmaster Elite at Winyah Bay 4/11-4/14
Winyah Bay, Georgetown SC.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Jason Williamson Wagener, SC 5 15-11 100
Day 1: 5 15-11
2. Hunter Shryock Newcomerstown, OH 5 15-08 99
Day 1: 5 15-08
3. Luke Palmer Coalgate, OK 5 14-02 98
Day 1: 5 14-02
4. Bill Lowen Brookville, IN 5 13-04 97
Day 1: 5 13-04
5. Clent Davis Montevallo, AL 5 12-14 96
Day 1: 5 12-14
6. Garrett Paquette Canton, MI 5 12-08 95
Day 1: 5 12-08
7. Clifford Pirch Payson, AZ 5 12-06 94
Day 1: 5 12-06
8. Yusuke Miyazaki Forney, TX 5 12-01 93
Day 1: 5 12-01
9. Scott Canterbury Odenville, AL 5 11-15 92
Day 1: 5 11-15
10. John Crews Jr Salem, VA 5 11-13 91
Day 1: 5 11-13
11. Stetson Blaylock Benton, AR 5 11-06 90
Day 1: 5 11-06
12. Patrick Walters Summerville, SC 5 11-04 89
Day 1: 5 11-04
13. Cory Johnston Cavan CANADA 5 11-02 88
Day 1: 5 11-02
14. Greg DiPalma Millville, NJ 5 11-01 87
Day 1: 5 11-01
15. Jesse Tacoronte Kissimmee, FL 5 10-14 86
Day 1: 5 10-14
15. Jake Whitaker Fairview, NC 5 10-14 86
Day 1: 5 10-14
17. Ray Hanselman Jr Del Rio, TX 5 10-11 84
Day 1: 5 10-11
18. Jamie Hartman Newport, NY 5 10-09 83
Day 1: 5 10-09
18. Cliff Prince Palatka, FL 5 10-09 83
Day 1: 5 10-09
20. Brandon Lester Fayetteville, TN 5 10-07 81
Day 1: 5 10-07
21. Keith Combs Huntington, TX 5 09-15 80
Day 1: 5 09-15
21. Tyler Rivet Raceland, LA 5 09-15 80
Day 1: 5 09-15
23. Rob Digh Denver, NC 5 09-13 78
Day 1: 5 09-13
23. Skylar Hamilton Dandridge, TN 5 09-13 78
Day 1: 5 09-13
25. Brock Mosley Collinsville, MS 5 09-11 76
Day 1: 5 09-11
26. Matt Herren Ashville, AL 5 09-10 75
Day 1: 5 09-10
27. Brandon Card Knoxville, TN 5 09-09 74
Day 1: 5 09-09
27. David Mullins Mt Carmel, TN 5 09-09 74
Day 1: 5 09-09
29. Drew Benton Panama City, FL 5 09-05 72
Day 1: 5 09-05
29. Dale Hightower Mannford, OK 5 09-05 72
Day 1: 5 09-05
31. Matt Arey Shelby, NC 5 08-15 70
Day 1: 5 08-15
32. Kelley Jaye Dadeville, AL 5 08-14 69
Day 1: 5 08-14
33. Seth Feider New Market, MN 5 08-13 68
Day 1: 5 08-13
34. Koby Kreiger Alva, FL 5 08-11 67
Day 1: 5 08-11
35. Mark Menendez Paducah, KY 5 08-10 66
Day 1: 5 08-10
35. Paul Mueller Naugatuck, CT 5 08-10 66
Day 1: 5 08-10
37. Bill Weidler Helena, AL 4 08-10 64
Day 1: 4 08-10
38. Randy Pierson Oakdale, CA 5 08-08 63
Day 1: 5 08-08
39. Brandon Cobb Greenwood, SC 5 08-07 62
Day 1: 5 08-07
40. Drew Cook Midway, FL 5 08-05 61
Day 1: 5 08-05
41. Hank Cherry Jr Lincolnton, NC 5 08-03 60
Day 1: 5 08-03
42. Brett Preuett Monroe, LA 5 08-02 59
Day 1: 5 08-02
43. Jeff Gustafson Keewatin Ontario CANADA 5 07-13 58
Day 1: 5 07-13
44. Micah Frazier Newnan, GA 5 07-11 57
Day 1: 5 07-11
44. Lee Livesay Gladewater, TX 5 07-11 57
Day 1: 5 07-11
44. Caleb Sumrall New Iberia, LA 5 07-11 57
Day 1: 5 07-11
47. Brad Whatley Bivins, TX 5 07-07 54
Day 1: 5 07-07
48. Mike Huff Corbin, KY 5 07-06 53
Day 1: 5 07-06
49. Brian Snowden Reeds Spring, MO 5 07-05 52
Day 1: 5 07-05
50. Shane LeHew Catawba, NC 4 07-05 51
Day 1: 4 07-05
51. Tyler Carriere Youngsville, LA 5 07-02 50
Day 1: 5 07-02
51. Chad Morgenthaler Reeds Spring, MO 5 07-02 50
Day 1: 5 07-02
53. Chris Johnston Peterborough Ontario CA 5 07-01 48
Day 1: 5 07-01
54. David Fritts Lexington, NC 5 06-15 47
Day 1: 5 06-15
54. Derek Hudnall Baton Rouge, LA 5 06-15 47
Day 1: 5 06-15
56. Carl Jocumsen Queensland TX AUSTRALIA 5 06-11 45
Day 1: 5 06-11
57. Clark Wendlandt Leander, TX 5 06-09 44
Day 1: 5 06-09
58. Chris Zaldain Fort Worth, TX 5 06-08 43
Day 1: 5 06-08
59. Randy Sullivan Breckenridge, TX 5 06-07 42
Day 1: 5 06-07
60. Quentin Cappo Prairieville, LA 5 06-05 41
Day 1: 5 06-05
61. Ed Loughran III Richmond, VA 5 06-04 40
Day 1: 5 06-04
62. Rick Morris Lake Gaston, VA 5 06-03 39
Day 1: 5 06-03
62. Chad Pipkens Lansing, MI 5 06-03 39
Day 1: 5 06-03
64. Frank Talley Temple, TX 4 06-01 37
Day 1: 4 06-01
65. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, FL 4 05-13 36
Day 1: 4 05-13
66. Jay Yelas Lincoln City, OR 5 05-12 35
Day 1: 5 05-12
67. Chris Groh Spring Grove, IL 4 04-11 34
Day 1: 4 04-11
68. Gary Clouse Winchester, TN 2 04-09 33
Day 1: 2 04-09
69. Steve Kennedy Auburn, AL 3 04-05 32
Day 1: 3 04-05
70. Rick Clunn Ava, MO 2 04-00 31
Day 1: 2 04-00
71. Shane Lineberger Lincolnton, NC 2 03-03 30
Day 1: 2 03-03
72. Todd Auten Lake Wylie, SC 1 03-01 29
Day 1: 1 03-01
73. Kyle Monti Okeechobee, FL 1 01-09 28
Day 1: 1 01-09
74. Harvey Horne Bella Vista, AR 1 01-06 27
Day 1: 1 01-06
75. Robbie Latuso Gonzales, LA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 62 342 631-04
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62 342 631-04
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