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Brett Hite Jumps Out to Early Lead at Major League Fishing Bass Pro Tour – Favorite Fishing Stage Three at the Harris Chain
LEESBURG, Fla. (May 21, 2021) – Pro Brett Hite of Phoenix, Arizona, dominated the field on Friday, catching 34 bass totaling a staggering 83 pounds, 5 ounces, to grab the early lead in Qualifying Group A on Day 1 of the Major League Fishing (MLF) Bass Pro Tour Favorite Fishing Stage Three at the Harris Chain Presented by Bass Cat Boats event. The six-day tournament, hosted by Lake County, features 80 of the top professional anglers from around the world competing for a purse of $805,000, including a top cash prize of $100,000 to the winner.
Hite will bring a commanding 40-pound, 9-ounce, lead into the second day of competition for Group A on Sunday, nearly doubling the weight of the second-place angler. Toro pro Brent Chapman of Lake Quivira, Kansas, who ran neck-in-neck with Hite during Period 1, caught 16 bass weighing 42-12 to end the day in second place, while Alabama pro Boyd Duckett of Guntersville sits in third place, 3 pounds back of Chapman with 16 bass weighing 39-12.
The 40 anglers in Group A will now enjoy a day off Saturday, while the 40 anglers in Group B will begin their first day of competition. Group A resumes competition on Sunday.
Hite was in the same general area throughout the day as several other pros, yet he put on a ChatterBait clinic, shooting ahead on the SCORETRACKER® early in Period 2.
“I’m in awe of the day – this is one of the type of days that you dream about,” said Hite. “I found a massive area with a lot of fish during practice. I’m fishing the way I love to fish, catching plenty of fish and a bunch of big ones.
“It really came down to two different ChatterBait Jack Hammers that were the bread and butter for me,” continued Hite. “A BHite Delight-colored ½-ounce with a metal blade and a green pumpkin-colored Yamamoto Zako as well as a ½-ounce Jack Hammer StealthBlade with a Yamamoto Zako trailer.”
Hite said both baits had seen their fair share of action throughout the day.
“This bait looks like it should after a full day – all beat up, with teeth marks and paint coming off – that’s the mark of a good day,” said Hite. “I caught a lot of fish, and an 8-pounder on that ChatterBait. I’m really looking forward to going fishing on Sunday and hopefully making that Championship Round.”
Hite credited his sweet setup of an Evergreen rod, a Daiwa Tatula Elite reel and 20-pound Sunline fluorocarbon for his exceptional start to the event.
Chapman was also thrilled with his Day 1 results, taking advantage of his lead later in the day to practice and learn more about the water he’s fishing. That practice resulted in three additional fish in the third and final period and a second-place finish.
“To catch that many scoreable bass in a day is just phenomenal,” said Chapman. “I’m familiar with this fishery, but not at this time of year, so I wasn’t really sure how it would fish. I’m really happy with how my practice went this week and it really paid off today.”
The top 20 pros in Group A after Day 1 on the Harris Chain of Lakes are:
1st: Brett Hite, Phoenix, Ariz., 34 bass, 83-5
2nd: Brent Chapman, Lake Quivira, Kan., 16 bass, 42-12
3rd: Boyd Duckett, Guntersville, Ala., 16 bass, 39-12
4th: Todd Faircloth, Jasper, Texas, 15 bass, 37-15
5th: Alton Jones, Jr., Waco, Texas, 12 bass, 32-14
6th: Paul Elias, Laurel, Miss., 13 bass, 32-13
7th: James Elam, Tulsa, Okla., 15 bass, 32-7
8th: Dustin Connell, Clanton, Ala., 13 bass, 31-11
9th: Michael Neal, Dayton, Tenn., 13 bass, 30-0
10th: Mark Daniels, Jr., Tuskegee, Ala., 11 bass, 28-12
11th: Kyle Hall, Granbury, Texas, 13 bass, 26-6
12th: Greg Vinson, Wetumpka, Ala., 11 bass, 25-8
13th: Britt Myers, Lake Wylie, S.C., seven bass, 25-0
14th: Randall Tharp, Port Saint Joe, Fla., eight bass, 24-3
15th: Jeff Sprague, Wills Point, Texas, 10 bass, 24-0
16th: Kevin VanDam, Kalamazoo, Mich., 10 bass, 22-0
17th: Shin Fukae, Thomson, Ga., 10 bass, 20-0
18th: Brent Ehrler, Redlands, Calif., nine bass, 19-4
19th: Jared Lintner, Arroyo Grande, Calif., eight bass, 17-5
20th: Jacob Wheeler, Harrison, Tenn., seven bass, 15-12
A complete list of results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Overall, there were 332 bass weighing 797 pounds, 14 ounces caught by 38 pros on Friday.
Britt Myers won Friday’s $1,000 Berkley Big Bass Award, weighing in a 9-pound, 8-ounce largemouth on a bladed jig during Period 2. Berkley will award $1,000 to the angler that weighs the biggest bass each day, and a $3,000 bonus to the angler who weighs the largest bass of the tournament.
The MLF Bass Pro Tour Favorite Fishing Stage Three at the Harris Chain Presented by Bass Cat Boats is hosted by Lake County.
The 40 Anglers in Group A compete in their two-day qualifying round on Friday and Sunday – the 40 anglers in Group B on Saturday and Monday. After each two-day qualifying round is complete, the anglers that finish in 2nd through 20th place from both groups advance to Tuesday’s Knockout Round, while the winner of each group advances directly to Wednesday’s Championship Round. In the Knockout Round, weights are zeroed and the remaining 38 anglers compete to finish in the top 8 to advance to the Championship Round. In the final day Championship Round, weights are zeroed and the highest one-day total wins. Full breakdown of the format can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Anglers will take off from the Venetian Gardens Ski Beach Boat Ramp, located at 201 E. Lake Harris Drive, in Leesburg, at 6:30 a.m. ET each day of competition. Each day’s General Tire Takeout will also be held at the Gardens, beginning at 3:30 p.m. Fans are welcome to attend, but encouraged to follow the event online throughout the day on the MLF NOW!® live stream and SCORETRACKER® coverage at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
The Bass Pro Tour features a field of 76 of the top professional anglers in the world – joined at each event by 4 pros that qualify from the Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit – competing across seven regular-season tournaments around the country, competing for millions of dollars and valuable points to qualify for the annual Heavy Hitters all-star event and the REDCREST 2022 championship.
The MLF NOW!® broadcast team of Chad McKee, Marty Stone and J.T. Kenney will break down the extended action on all six days of competition from 6:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. CT. MLF NOW!® will be live streamed on MajorLeagueFishing.com and the MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) app.
Television coverage of the Bass Pro Tour Favorite Fishing Stage Three Presented by Bass Cat Boats at the Harris Chain of Lakes will be showcased across two two-hour episodes, premiering at 7 a.m. ET, Sept. 25 on the Discovery Channel. New MLF episodes premiere each Saturday morning on the Discovery Channel, with additional re-airings on the Outdoor Channel and the Sportsman Channel. Each two-hour long reality-based episode goes in-depth to break down each day of competition.
For complete details and updated information on the Bass Pro Tour, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF’s social media outlets at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, the Discovery Channel, the Outdoor Channel, CBS Sports Network, the World Fishing Network, the Sportsman Channel and on-demand on MyOutdoorTV (MOTV). Headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with offices in Benton, Kentucky, the MLF roster of bass anglers includes the world’s top pros and more than 30,000 competitors in all 50 states and 13 countries. In 2019 MLF acquired FLW and rebranded it as MLF BIG5, which expanded its portfolio of catch, weigh and immediately release events to include the sport’s strongest five-biggest-fish format tournament circuits. Since its founding in 2011, MLF has advanced the sport of competitive fishing through its premier television broadcasts and livestreams, and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for bass through research, education, fisheries enhancement and fish care.
Major League Fishing – WE ARE Bass Fishing
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Kuphall Maintains Lead At Bassmaster Elite Series Event On Lake Guntersville
SCOTTSBORO, Ala. — On Thursday, Caleb Kuphall said he was concerned he’d exhausted his Day 1 hot spot, but the area still held enough quality fish to help him maintain his lead at the Berkley Bassmaster Elite at Lake Guntersville with a two-day total of 43 pounds, 4 ounces.
Caleb Kuphall, of Mukwonago, Wis., is leading after Day 2 of the 2021 Berkley Bassmaster Elite at Lake Guntersville with a two-day total of 43 pounds, 4 ounces.
Photo by Seigo Saito/B.A.S.S
Sacking up a Day 1 limit of 27-10 — the tournament’s biggest bag so far — the pro from Mukwonago, Wis., carried a lead of 6-7 into Friday’s competition. Adding 15-10, Kuphall heads into Saturday’s semifinal round with a 4-9 margin over Canadian Chris Johnston.
Starting both days on a large milfoil bed not far from takeoff, Kuphall has done most of his work in a relatively small area within this sprawling habitat. Other boats were fishing around him, but Kuphall has dialed in a particular sweet spot.
“There’s a lot of pressure in that spot; today, there was another two boats in there and another one came in later on,” Kuphall said. “There’s still a lot of fish there; I got bit pretty much up until I left around 9:30. I just don’t think I can get another two days out of it.”
Kuphall is catching his bass on a Zoom Z-Hog in the California 420 color. He’s rigging the bait on a 4/0 extra-wide gap hook with a 3/4-ounce tungsten weight.
Once his starting spot fizzled, Kuphall ran about 15 minutes uplake to fish a matted milfoil bed. This area holds scattered pads, but he said the secondary habitat isn’t factoring into his game plan.
“You have the mat line, and what I’m fishing is out from that,” he said. “It’s a little deeper water and the isolated grass clumps are key to getting my bites. I really haven’t gotten any bites fishing the line.
“I’m using the Z-Hog here too, but I’m using a 1-ounce weight. If the wind blows again tomorrow, I may have to go to an ounce and a quarter or an ounce and a half.”
On Day 1, Kuphall’s second spot yielded two sizable culls, but on Friday it afforded only a 1/4-pound upgrade. He noted that Friday’s wind impeded his efficiency on his uplake area.
“The wind was coming right up the gut and I had my trolling motor on 80 to 100% just to hold in that area,” he said. “When you’re shallow like that in the mats, I think I was spooking a lot of fish before I was getting to them.”
Assessing his day, Kuphall said he’s pleased with his position but thankful for a huge first round, which buoyed his weight. Overall, Friday proved considerably more challenging.
“One of my areas is drying up on me and the other one … I just didn’t catch them today,” he said. “I think I’m going to have to look for something else to do because I don’t see that first spot holding up another two days.
“It was a grind today. I only caught about 10 fish today. I was hoping I’d get some bigger bites, but I didn’t get them. But tomorrow’s another day.”
Kuphall said he plans on giving his starting spot another look Saturday, but he won’t burn much time there unless he finds a big bite early.
“I have a couple of other areas that I haven’t touched yet,” he said. “They’re (mostly) keeper areas; just limit areas. If I get into trouble, I can go and get a couple of bites.”
Hailing from Peterborough, Ontario, Johnston added 19-10 to the 19-1 he caught Thursday and gained three spots from fifth with a total weight of 38-11.
Johnston caught three of his limit fish by throwing a bream-colored Spro Poppin’ Frog over pads. He caught the other two while fishing a drop shot with a Roboworm in the morning dawn color over an offshore hard spot in about 10 feet.
“I didn’t go to my frog area on Day 1 because I had two 3-pounders blow up on it in practice and I was saving it in case I needed it,” Johnston said. “Luckily, it worked out today and there were more fish there than I thought. I wasn’t expecting to get those big ones and that many.”
Luke Palmer of Coalgate, Okla., is in third with 37-3. After placing eighth on Day 1 with 17-12, Palmer added a limit of 19-7, which included a 5 1/2-pounder.
Palmer divided his day between throwing a Zara Spook in shallow water and rotating through a drop shot, jerkbait and rattlebait in deeper grass.
“I’m just mixing it up and trying to figure out what the fish want,” Palmer said. “You’re liable to go down one stretch, turn around and come back with another bait and just wreck them.”
Caleb Sumrall of New Iberia, La., is in the lead for Phoenix Boats Big Bass honors with his 7-6.
Seth Feider of New Market, Minn., leads the Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings with 612 points. Brandon Palaniuk of Rathdrum, Idaho, is in second with 557, followed by Jason Christie of Park Hill, Okla., with 554, Johnston with 548 and Patrick Walters of Summerville, S.C., with 541.
Bryan New of Belmont, N.C., leads the Rookie of the Year standings with 463 points.
Saturday’s takeoff is scheduled for 5:30 a.m. CT from Scottsboro’s Goose Pond Colony Resort Marina. The weigh-in will be held back at Goose Pond at 2 p.m. After Saturday’s weigh-in, only the Top 10 remaining anglers will advance to Championship Sunday with a chance at the $100,000 first-place prize.
Live coverage of the event can be streamed on Bassmaster.com and the FOX Sports digital platforms. FS1 will also broadcast the action live with the leaders beginning at 7 a.m.
The tournament is being hosted by the City of Scottsboro.
2021 Bassmaster Elite Series Platinum Sponsor: Toyota
2021 Bassmaster Elite Series Premier Sponsors: Berkley, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Power-Pole, Ranger Boats, Skeeter Boats, Yamaha
2021 Bassmaster Elite Series Supporting Sponsors: AFTCO, Bass Pro Shops, Garmin, Huk Performance Fishing, Marathon, Rapala
2021 Bassmaster Elite Series Conservation Partner: AFTCO
2021 Berkley Bassmaster Elite at Lake Guntersville Local Host: City of Scottsboro
About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S., which encompasses the Bassmaster tournament leagues, events and media platforms, 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 515,000-member organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), TV show, radio show, 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 Opens 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, Bassmaster B.A.S.S. Nation Kayak Series powered by TourneyX and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk.
2021 Berkley Bassmaster Elite at Lake Guntersville 5/20-5/23
Lake Guntersville, Scottsboro AL.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 2
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Caleb Kuphall Mukwonago, WI 10 43-04 100
Day 1: 5 27-10 Day 2: 5 15-10
2. Chris Johnston Otonabee Ontario CANADA 10 38-11 99
Day 1: 5 19-01 Day 2: 5 19-10
3. Luke Palmer Coalgate, OK 10 37-03 98
Day 1: 5 17-12 Day 2: 5 19-07
4. Jason Christie Park Hill, OK 10 35-11 97
Day 1: 5 18-12 Day 2: 5 16-15
5. Mark Menendez Paducah, KY 10 35-05 96
Day 1: 5 14-00 Day 2: 5 21-05
6. Wes Logan Springville, AL 10 34-13 95
Day 1: 5 14-01 Day 2: 5 20-12
6. Brandon Palaniuk Rathdrum, ID 10 34-13 95
Day 1: 5 20-12 Day 2: 5 14-01
8. Greg Hackney Gonzales, LA 10 33-15 93
Day 1: 5 16-02 Day 2: 5 17-13
9. Kyle Welcher Opelika, AL 10 33-12 92
Day 1: 5 16-00 Day 2: 5 17-12
10. Bryan New Belmont, NC 10 33-00 91
Day 1: 5 14-15 Day 2: 5 18-01
11. Shane Lineberger Lincolnton, NC 10 32-13 90
Day 1: 5 15-10 Day 2: 5 17-03
12. Lee Livesay Longview, TX 10 31-15 89
Day 1: 5 17-10 Day 2: 5 14-05
13. KJ Queen Catawba, NC 10 31-13 88
Day 1: 5 16-13 Day 2: 5 15-00
14. Seth Feider New Market, MN 10 31-11 87
Day 1: 5 15-12 Day 2: 5 15-15
15. Steve Kennedy Auburn, AL 10 31-05 86
Day 1: 5 19-05 Day 2: 5 12-00
16. Cory Johnston Cavan CANADA 10 31-00 85
Day 1: 5 17-06 Day 2: 5 13-10
17. Chad Morgenthaler Reeds Spring, MO 10 31-00 84
Day 1: 5 14-01 Day 2: 5 16-15
18. Carl Jocumsen Queensland AUSTRALIA 10 31-00 83
Day 1: 5 14-04 Day 2: 5 16-12
19. Todd Auten Lake Wylie, SC 10 30-15 82
Day 1: 5 21-03 Day 2: 5 09-12
20. Marc Frazier Newnan, GA 10 30-13 81
Day 1: 5 16-14 Day 2: 5 13-15
21. Austin Felix Eden Prairie, MN 10 30-09 80
Day 1: 5 15-07 Day 2: 5 15-02
22. Chris Zaldain Fort Worth, TX 10 30-08 79
Day 1: 5 10-04 Day 2: 5 20-04
23. Pat Schlapper Eleva, WI 10 30-08 78
Day 1: 5 16-02 Day 2: 5 14-06
24. Derek Hudnall Denham Springs, LA 10 30-06 77
Day 1: 5 16-05 Day 2: 5 14-01
25. Hunter Shryock Ooltewah, TN 10 30-06 76
Day 1: 5 15-15 Day 2: 5 14-07
26. Drew Benton Blakely, GA 10 30-05 75
Day 1: 5 16-02 Day 2: 5 14-03
27. Scott Martin Clewiston, FL 10 30-04 74
Day 1: 5 10-09 Day 2: 5 19-11
28. Tyler Rivet Raceland, LA 10 30-02 73
Day 1: 5 11-14 Day 2: 5 18-04
29. Brandon Lester Fayetteville, TN 10 30-02 72
Day 1: 5 13-07 Day 2: 5 16-11
30. Brandon Cobb Greenwood, SC 10 30-01 71
Day 1: 5 13-15 Day 2: 5 16-02
30. Shane LeHew Catawba, NC 10 30-01 71
Day 1: 5 16-02 Day 2: 5 13-15
32. Justin Hamner Northport, AL 10 29-15 69
Day 1: 5 10-06 Day 2: 5 19-09
33. John Cox Debary, FL 10 29-13 68
Day 1: 5 14-10 Day 2: 5 15-03
34. Buddy Gross Chickamauga, GA 10 29-12 67
Day 1: 5 14-05 Day 2: 5 15-07
35. Harvey Horne Bella Vista, AR 10 29-06 66
Day 1: 5 13-05 Day 2: 5 16-01
36. Jake Whitaker Fairview, NC 10 29-02 65
Day 1: 5 16-00 Day 2: 5 13-02
37. Bryan Schmitt Deale, MD 10 28-12 64
Day 1: 5 15-03 Day 2: 5 13-09
38. Chad Pipkens Dewitt, MI 10 28-11 63
Day 1: 5 10-12 Day 2: 5 17-15
39. David Mullins Mt Carmel, TN 10 28-08 62
Day 1: 5 15-06 Day 2: 5 13-02
40. Ray Hanselman Jr Del Rio, TX 10 28-08 61
Day 1: 5 13-14 Day 2: 5 14-10
41. Gerald Swindle Guntersville, AL 10 28-06 60
Day 1: 5 12-08 Day 2: 5 15-14
42. Jason Williamson Wagener, SC 10 28-02 59
Day 1: 5 12-09 Day 2: 5 15-09
43. Scott Canterbury Odenville, AL 10 28-01 58
Day 1: 5 14-05 Day 2: 5 13-12
44. Patrick Walters Summerville, SC 10 28-00 57
Day 1: 5 17-00 Day 2: 5 11-00
45. Jay Yelas Lincoln City, OR 10 27-14 56
Day 1: 5 14-02 Day 2: 5 13-12
46. Joshua Stracner Vandiver, AL 10 27-08 55
Day 1: 5 12-15 Day 2: 5 14-09
47. John Crews Jr Salem, VA 10 27-06 54
Day 1: 5 12-15 Day 2: 5 14-07
48. Matt Robertson Kuttawa, KY 10 27-05 53
Day 1: 5 14-10 Day 2: 5 12-11
49. Caleb Sumrall New Iberia, LA 9 27-05 52 $6,000.00
Day 1: 4 14-04 Day 2: 5 13-01
50. Matt Herren Ashville, AL 9 27-04 51 $5,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-07 Day 2: 4 11-13
51. Matt Arey Shelby, NC 10 27-04 50 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 15-04 Day 2: 5 12-00
52. Bob Downey Hudson, WI 10 27-01 49 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 14-13 Day 2: 5 12-04
53. Hank Cherry Jr Lincolnton, NC 10 27-01 48 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 13-06 Day 2: 5 13-11
54. Yusuke Miyazaki Forney, TX 10 26-15 47 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 14-09 Day 2: 5 12-06
55. Gregory DiPalma Millville, NJ 10 26-11 46 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 15-15 Day 2: 5 10-12
56. Mike Huff Corbin, KY 10 26-10 45 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 12-14 Day 2: 5 13-12
57. Skylar Hamilton Dandridge, TN 10 26-04 44 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 14-15 Day 2: 5 11-05
58. Randy Pierson Oakdale, CA 10 26-02 43 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 14-05 Day 2: 5 11-13
59. Drew Cook Cairo, GA 10 26-00 42 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 13-15 Day 2: 5 12-01
60. Brad Whatley Bivins, TX 10 25-12 41 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 11-08 Day 2: 5 14-04
61. Darold Gleason Many, LA 10 25-12 40 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 12-02 Day 2: 5 13-10
62. Clifford Pirch Payson, AZ 10 25-12 39 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 13-03 Day 2: 5 12-09
63. Brandon Card Salisbury, NC 8 25-10 38 $2,500.00
Day 1: 3 07-03 Day 2: 5 18-07
64. Bill Weidler Helena, AL 8 25-05 37 $3,500.00
Day 1: 5 12-14 Day 2: 3 12-07
65. Kelley Jaye Dadeville, AL 10 25-00 36 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 12-15 Day 2: 5 12-01
66. Quentin Cappo Prairieville, LA 9 24-12 35 $2,500.00
Day 1: 4 08-06 Day 2: 5 16-06
67. Jamie Hartman Newport, NY 10 24-07 34 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 13-01 Day 2: 5 11-06
68. Brian Snowden Reeds Spring, MO 10 24-04 33 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 12-02 Day 2: 5 12-02
69. Taku Ito Chiba JAPAN 9 24-02 32 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 13-11 Day 2: 4 10-07
70. Bill Lowen Brookville, IN 10 23-15 31 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 13-07 Day 2: 5 10-08
71. Garrett Paquette Canton, MI 8 23-10 30 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 13-12 Day 2: 3 09-14
72. Destin DeMarion Grove City, PA 10 23-10 29 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 12-03 Day 2: 5 11-07
73. Jeff Gustafson Keewatin Ontario CANADA 10 23-10 28 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 11-12 Day 2: 5 11-14
74. Stetson Blaylock Benton, AR 8 23-09 27 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 16-12 Day 2: 3 06-13
75. Justin Atkins Florence, AL 10 23-04 26 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 11-01 Day 2: 5 12-03
76. Randy Sullivan Breckenridge, TX 10 23-02 25
Day 1: 5 11-08 Day 2: 5 11-10
77. David Fritts Lexington, NC 9 23-00 24
Day 1: 4 07-15 Day 2: 5 15-01
78. Keith Combs Huntington, TX 10 23-00 23
Day 1: 5 10-09 Day 2: 5 12-07
79. Paul Mueller Naugatuck, CT 8 22-08 22
Day 1: 3 07-01 Day 2: 5 15-07
80. Brett Preuett Monroe, LA 7 22-06 21
Day 1: 5 18-06 Day 2: 2 04-00
81. Rick Clunn Ava, MO 10 22-06 20
Day 1: 5 11-08 Day 2: 5 10-14
82. Rob Digh Denver, NC 8 22-04 19
Day 1: 3 08-00 Day 2: 5 14-04
83. Micah Frazier Newnan, GA 9 21-13 18
Day 1: 4 07-13 Day 2: 5 14-00
84. Koby Kreiger Alva, FL 9 20-13 17
Day 1: 5 12-06 Day 2: 4 08-07
85. Chris Groh Spring Grove, IL 10 20-13 16
Day 1: 5 10-00 Day 2: 5 10-13
86. Ed Loughran III Richmond, VA 9 20-10 15
Day 1: 4 08-08 Day 2: 5 12-02
87. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, FL 8 20-09 14
Day 1: 3 05-13 Day 2: 5 14-12
88. Dale Hightower Mannford, OK 10 19-06 13
Day 1: 5 10-12 Day 2: 5 08-10
89. Clent Davis Montevallo, AL 7 17-11 12
Day 1: 4 10-03 Day 2: 3 07-08
90. Clark Wendlandt Leander, TX 7 17-09 11
Day 1: 5 11-14 Day 2: 2 05-11
91. Brock Mosley Collinsville, MS 8 17-09 10
Day 1: 5 10-04 Day 2: 3 07-05
92. Kenta Kimura Osaka JAPAN 8 17-09 9
Day 1: 5 09-09 Day 2: 3 08-00
93. Cliff Prince Palatka, FL 9 17-08 8
Day 1: 4 07-12 Day 2: 5 09-12
94. Frank Talley Temple, TX 7 16-03 7
Day 1: 5 12-05 Day 2: 2 03-14
95. Rick Morris Lake Gaston, VA 7 15-05 6
Day 1: 2 03-15 Day 2: 5 11-06
96. Robbie Latuso Gonzales, LA 7 14-15 5
Day 1: 5 11-02 Day 2: 2 03-13
97. Cody Hollen Beaverton, OR 6 13-04 4
Day 1: 5 11-08 Day 2: 1 01-12
98. Kyle Monti Okeechobee, FL 2 06-07 3
Day 1: 2 06-07 Day 2: 0 00-00
———————————————————————–
PHOENIX BOATS BIG BASS
Day
1 Caleb Sumrall New Iberia, LA 07-06 $1,000.00
2 Bill Weidler Helena, AL 06-11 $1,000.00
———————————————————————–
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 85 469 1319-11
2 83 454 1296-15
———————————-
168 923 2616-10
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Steady Winds Will Play a Factor on Harris Chain
Major League Fishing pros headed out on the vast and beautiful Harris Chain of Lakes in Leesburg, Florida to kick off the Favorite Fishing Stage Three this morning. The eight individual lakes of the Harris Chain covering over 75,000 acres of water offer a myriad of ways Bass Pro Tour anglers can target scoreable bass this week.
While it’s hard to know what to expect in terms of presentations, techniques, or bait selection; one thing MLF pros anticipate is strong winds from the east these first two days of competition.
“The winds have been blowing hard out of the east since we got here,” James Elam said. “It’s not dangerous or anything, but it definitely limited the areas you could effectively fish in practice. The wind has churned up the water in a lot of spots I thought could be good and affected the water quality.”
The Oklahoma native and longtime Toyota Bonus Bucks member said the easterly winds will have both fish and anglers bunched up in certain areas on the Harris Chain. Something Elam and the rest of the Major League Fishing pros are used to in the sunshine state.
“Florida fisheries always seem to fish small,” Elam said. “But I don’t get too worried if I’m fishing around other anglers down here. If the fish are there, sometimes you have to be willing to fish around a crowd.”
Sure some areas will be negatively affected by turbulent water due to the steady winds, but the same breeze will undoubtedly turn other areas and groups of fish on like a light switch.
Kevin VanDam has made millions of dollars throughout his career capitalizing on this type of scenario. KVD plans on leaning into the wind, using his equipment to help deal with what Mother Nature throws at him and his fellow competitors.
“It’s all about the grass down here in Florida. Whether it’s Kissimmee grass and lily pads around the shoreline or the offshore eelgrass and hydrilla,” VanDam explained. “Taking advantage of the Minn Kota Raptors, electronics, and spot lock capabilities on my boat are going to be key in all this wind.”
VanDam relies on these tools because they give him the ability to make pinpoint casts and presentations to fish keying in on subtleties in the aquatic vegetation. Shallow water anchors like Power Poles and Raptors always play an important role for anglers when fishing in Florida, and that’ll be no different for Major League Fishing pros on the Harris Chain this week.
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Kuphall Builds Hefty Lead At Bassmaster Elite Series Event On Guntersville
SCOTTSBORO, Ala. — A fast start plus two afternoon upgrades yielded a five-bass limit of 27 pounds, 10 ounces for Caleb Kuphall of Mukwonago, Wis., who leads Day 1 of the Berkley Bassmaster Elite at Lake Guntersville.
Caleb Kuphall, of Mukwonago, Wis., is leading after Day 1 of the 2021 Berkley Bassmaster Elite at Lake Guntersville with 27 pounds, 10 ounces. Photo by Seigo Saito/B.A.S.S
Heading into Day 2, Kuphall holds a lead of 6-7 over veteran South Carolina pro Todd Auten.
According to BassTrakk’s unofficial standings, Kuphall had secured a limit of approximately 19-4 by 6:58 a.m. Registering his first keeper — a 2-12 — 24 minutes after the 5:30 takeoff, Kuphall quickly added four more keepers, including two over 5 pounds.
About 30 minutes after securing the day’s first limit, Kuphall upgraded to 21-12. Several hours passed without further improvement, but shortly after noon, he added a 4-8 and followed with a 5-8 just before 1 p.m.
Noting that he fished two different areas, Kuphall described his primary spot as a classic postspawn staging area. Located in a large spawning cove, the area he targeted provided a natural stopping point for bass on their way out toward summer habitat.
“It was a point with a big mat of milfoil going out to the main lake,” he said. “I got back-to-back bites — in the morning, I caught a 6- and a 5 1/2-pounder on the very next cast.
“I kind of had two things going today, and the first one was a supershallow deal. I caught two of my weigh-in fish in about 3 feet of water, and the rest of them came in about 6 feet.”
Kuphall kept his bait details guarded, but he noted that a bottom-oriented presentation tempted all of his bites. He used multiple colors, but he said the appearance is less important than the presentation.
“It’s a reaction bite; a fast-fall kind of deal,” he said.
Kuphall said he ended up having to fish his area out, as a fellow competitor was showing interest. He’s hopeful that a few quality fish remain, so he’ll explore it again on Day 2.
“I hit it pretty hard, I don’t think there’s much left there,” he said. “I’m going to give it a go tomorrow and hopefully get a few bites off of it.
“It’s not something that’s going to hold up for multiple days. It’s pretty much a one-and-done deal.”
In second place, Auten sacked up a limit that weighed 21-3. His morning also started quickly, but it took a few hours for him to dial in the quality bites.
“About 9:30, I had one fish — a 7-pounder — but I pulled into a little place and caught a couple of good ones, messed around and caught another good one,” Auten said. “That was about it on the big fish and then I caught a couple more 2-pounders.
“I struggled, really. I just got lucky and got a couple of good bites. It might be the area. I’ll have to go back in there tomorrow and see.”
Auten described his most productive area as a windblown point where prespawn and postspawn fish were staging. A crankbait and spinnerbait produced all of his weight, with the 7-pounder biting the latter.
Brandon Palaniuk of Rathdrum, Idaho, is in third with 20-12. One week after winning the Basspro.com Bassmaster Northern Open at James River, Palaniuk took a mobile approach to tracking down Guntersville’s transitioning bass.
Having gone through about 35 baits Thursday, Palaniuk said he caught all of his weight on two reaction baits. One of them was a Storm Arashi Glide Bait in the black silver shad color.
“I saw a piece of cover and said, ‘I have to stop and throw a glide on that,’” he said. “I caught a 3-pounder and one that was about 5 1/2.
“I was just trying to cover water. I feel like these fish are moving so much, you have to stay on top of them.”
Caleb Sumrall of New Iberia, La., is in the lead for Phoenix Boats Big Bass honors with his 7-6.
Seth Feider of New Market, Minn., maintained his lead in the Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings with 602 points. Patrick Walters of Summerville, S.C., is in second with 574, followed by Palaniuk with 560, Jason Christie of Park Hill, Okla., with 552 and Chris Johnston of Peterborough, Canada, with 545.
KJ Queen of Catawba, N.C., leads the Rookie of the Year standings with 451 points.
Friday’s takeoff is scheduled for 5:30 a.m. CT from Goose Pond Landing. The weigh-in will be held at Goose Pond at 2 p.m. Only the Top 48 anglers will advance after Friday’s weigh-in to fish the semifinal round on Saturday.
Live coverage of the event can be streamed on Bassmaster.com and the FOX Sports digital platforms.
The tournament is being hosted by the City of Scottsboro.
2021 Bassmaster Elite Series Platinum Sponsor: Toyota
2021 Bassmaster Elite Series Premier Sponsors: Berkley, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Power-Pole, Ranger Boats, Skeeter Boats, Yamaha
2021 Bassmaster Elite Series Supporting Sponsors: AFTCO, Bass Pro Shops, Garmin, Huk Performance Fishing, Marathon, Rapala
2021 Bassmaster Elite Series Conservation Partner: AFTCO
2021 Berkley Bassmaster Elite at Lake Guntersville Local Host: City of Scottsboro
About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S., which encompasses the Bassmaster tournament leagues, events and media platforms, 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 515,000-member organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), TV show, radio show, 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 Opens 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, Bassmaster B.A.S.S. Nation Kayak Series powered by TourneyX and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk.
2021 Berkley Bassmaster Elite at Lake Guntersville 5/20-5/23
Lake Guntersville, Scottsboro AL.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Caleb Kuphall Mukwonago, WI 5 27-10 100
Day 1: 5 27-10
2. Todd Auten Lake Wylie, SC 5 21-03 99
Day 1: 5 21-03
3. Brandon Palaniuk Rathdrum, ID 5 20-12 98
Day 1: 5 20-12
4. Steve Kennedy Auburn, AL 5 19-05 97
Day 1: 5 19-05
5. Chris Johnston Otonabee Ontario CANADA 5 19-01 96
Day 1: 5 19-01
6. Jason Christie Park Hill, OK 5 18-12 95
Day 1: 5 18-12
7. Brett Preuett Monroe, LA 5 18-06 94
Day 1: 5 18-06
8. Luke Palmer Coalgate, OK 5 17-12 93
Day 1: 5 17-12
9. Lee Livesay Longview, TX 5 17-10 92
Day 1: 5 17-10
10. Cory Johnston Cavan CANADA 5 17-06 91
Day 1: 5 17-06
11. Patrick Walters Summerville, SC 5 17-00 90
Day 1: 5 17-00
12. Marc Frazier Newnan, GA 5 16-14 89
Day 1: 5 16-14
13. KJ Queen Catawba, NC 5 16-13 88
Day 1: 5 16-13
14. Stetson Blaylock Benton, AR 5 16-12 87
Day 1: 5 16-12
15. Derek Hudnall Denham Springs, LA 5 16-05 86
Day 1: 5 16-05
16. Drew Benton Blakely, GA 5 16-02 85
Day 1: 5 16-02
16. Greg Hackney Gonzales, LA 5 16-02 85
Day 1: 5 16-02
16. Shane LeHew Catawba, NC 5 16-02 85
Day 1: 5 16-02
16. Pat Schlapper Eleva, WI 5 16-02 85
Day 1: 5 16-02
20. Kyle Welcher Opelika, AL 5 16-00 81
Day 1: 5 16-00
20. Jake Whitaker Fairview, NC 5 16-00 81
Day 1: 5 16-00
22. Gregory DiPalma Millville, NJ 5 15-15 79
Day 1: 5 15-15
22. Hunter Shryock Ooltewah, TN 5 15-15 79
Day 1: 5 15-15
24. Seth Feider New Market, MN 5 15-12 77
Day 1: 5 15-12
25. Shane Lineberger Lincolnton, NC 5 15-10 76
Day 1: 5 15-10
26. Austin Felix Eden Prairie, MN 5 15-07 75
Day 1: 5 15-07
26. Matt Herren Ashville, AL 5 15-07 75
Day 1: 5 15-07
28. David Mullins Mt Carmel, TN 5 15-06 73
Day 1: 5 15-06
29. Matt Arey Shelby, NC 5 15-04 72
Day 1: 5 15-04
30. Bryan Schmitt Deale, MD 5 15-03 71
Day 1: 5 15-03
31. Skylar Hamilton Dandridge, TN 5 14-15 70
Day 1: 5 14-15
31. Bryan New Belmont, NC 5 14-15 70
Day 1: 5 14-15
33. Bob Downey Hudson, WI 5 14-13 68
Day 1: 5 14-13
34. John Cox Debary, FL 5 14-10 67
Day 1: 5 14-10
34. Matt Robertson Kuttawa, KY 5 14-10 67
Day 1: 5 14-10
36. Yusuke Miyazaki Forney, TX 5 14-09 65
Day 1: 5 14-09
37. Scott Canterbury Odenville, AL 5 14-05 64
Day 1: 5 14-05
37. Buddy Gross Chickamauga, GA 5 14-05 64
Day 1: 5 14-05
37. Randy Pierson Oakdale, CA 5 14-05 64
Day 1: 5 14-05
40. Carl Jocumsen Queensland AUSTRALIA 5 14-04 61
Day 1: 5 14-04
41. Caleb Sumrall New Iberia, LA 4 14-04 60 $1,000.00
Day 1: 4 14-04
42. Jay Yelas Lincoln City, OR 5 14-02 59
Day 1: 5 14-02
43. Wes Logan Springville, AL 5 14-01 58
Day 1: 5 14-01
43. Chad Morgenthaler Reeds Spring, MO 5 14-01 58
Day 1: 5 14-01
45. Mark Menendez Paducah, KY 5 14-00 56
Day 1: 5 14-00
46. Brandon Cobb Greenwood, SC 5 13-15 55
Day 1: 5 13-15
47. Drew Cook Cairo, GA 5 13-15 54
Day 1: 5 13-15
48. Ray Hanselman Jr Del Rio, TX 5 13-14 53
Day 1: 5 13-14
49. Garrett Paquette Canton, MI 5 13-12 52
Day 1: 5 13-12
50. Taku Ito Chiba JAPAN 5 13-11 51
Day 1: 5 13-11
51. Brandon Lester Fayetteville, TN 5 13-07 50
Day 1: 5 13-07
51. Bill Lowen Brookville, IN 5 13-07 50
Day 1: 5 13-07
53. Hank Cherry Jr Lincolnton, NC 5 13-06 48
Day 1: 5 13-06
54. Harvey Horne Bella Vista, AR 5 13-05 47
Day 1: 5 13-05
55. Clifford Pirch Payson, AZ 5 13-03 46
Day 1: 5 13-03
56. Jamie Hartman Newport, NY 5 13-01 45
Day 1: 5 13-01
57. John Crews Jr Salem, VA 5 12-15 44
Day 1: 5 12-15
57. Kelley Jaye Dadeville, AL 5 12-15 44
Day 1: 5 12-15
57. Joshua Stracner Vandiver, AL 5 12-15 44
Day 1: 5 12-15
60. Mike Huff Corbin, KY 5 12-14 41
Day 1: 5 12-14
60. Bill Weidler Helena, AL 5 12-14 41
Day 1: 5 12-14
62. Jason Williamson Wagener, SC 5 12-09 39
Day 1: 5 12-09
63. Gerald Swindle Guntersville, AL 5 12-08 38
Day 1: 5 12-08
64. Koby Kreiger Alva, FL 5 12-06 37
Day 1: 5 12-06
65. Frank Talley Temple, TX 5 12-05 36
Day 1: 5 12-05
66. Destin DeMarion Grove City, PA 5 12-03 35
Day 1: 5 12-03
67. Darold Gleason Many, LA 5 12-02 34
Day 1: 5 12-02
67. Brian Snowden Reeds Spring, MO 5 12-02 34
Day 1: 5 12-02
69. Tyler Rivet Raceland, LA 5 11-14 32
Day 1: 5 11-14
69. Clark Wendlandt Leander, TX 5 11-14 32
Day 1: 5 11-14
71. Jeff Gustafson Keewatin Ontario CANADA 5 11-12 30
Day 1: 5 11-12
72. Rick Clunn Ava, MO 5 11-08 29
Day 1: 5 11-08
72. Cody Hollen Beaverton, OR 5 11-08 29
Day 1: 5 11-08
72. Brad Whatley Bivins, TX 5 11-08 29
Day 1: 5 11-08
75. Randy Sullivan Breckenridge, TX 5 11-08 26
Day 1: 5 11-08
76. Robbie Latuso Gonzales, LA 5 11-02 25
Day 1: 5 11-02
77. Justin Atkins Florence, AL 5 11-01 24
Day 1: 5 11-01
78. Dale Hightower Mannford, OK 5 10-12 23
Day 1: 5 10-12
79. Chad Pipkens Dewitt, MI 5 10-12 22
Day 1: 5 10-12
80. Scott Martin Clewiston, FL 5 10-09 21
Day 1: 5 10-09
81. Keith Combs Huntington, TX 5 10-09 20
Day 1: 5 10-09
82. Justin Hamner Northport, AL 5 10-06 19
Day 1: 5 10-06
83. Brock Mosley Collinsville, MS 5 10-04 18
Day 1: 5 10-04
83. Chris Zaldain Fort Worth, TX 5 10-04 18
Day 1: 5 10-04
85. Clent Davis Montevallo, AL 4 10-03 16
Day 1: 4 10-03
86. Chris Groh Spring Grove, IL 5 10-00 15
Day 1: 5 10-00
87. Kenta Kimura Osaka JAPAN 5 09-09 14
Day 1: 5 09-09
88. Ed Loughran III Richmond, VA 4 08-08 13
Day 1: 4 08-08
89. Quentin Cappo Prairieville, LA 4 08-06 12
Day 1: 4 08-06
90. Rob Digh Denver, NC 3 08-00 11
Day 1: 3 08-00
91. David Fritts Lexington, NC 4 07-15 10
Day 1: 4 07-15
92. Micah Frazier Newnan, GA 4 07-13 9
Day 1: 4 07-13
93. Cliff Prince Palatka, FL 4 07-12 8
Day 1: 4 07-12
94. Brandon Card Salisbury, NC 3 07-03 7
Day 1: 3 07-03
95. Paul Mueller Naugatuck, CT 3 07-01 6
Day 1: 3 07-01
96. Kyle Monti Okeechobee, FL 2 06-07 5
Day 1: 2 06-07
97. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, FL 3 05-13 4
Day 1: 3 05-13
98. Rick Morris Lake Gaston, VA 2 03-15 3
Day 1: 2 03-15
———————————————————————–
PHOENIX BOATS BIG BASS
Day
1 Caleb Sumrall New Iberia, LA 07-06 $1,000.00
———————————————————————–
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 85 469 1319-11
———————————-
85 469 1319-11
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Swindle: Heavy Spaghetti and Soaking Crankbaits at Guntersville Elite
At the end of a speed walk back from a boat ramp bathroom, and just before launching at Day 1 of the Berkley Bassmaster Elite Series on Lake Guntersville, Team Toyota’s Gerald Swindle took time to talk about everything from soaking his Rapala crankbaits to wife Lulu’s spaghetti.
Q: You posted a picture on social media last night of Rapala crankbaits soaking in water inside a Y’all Sweet Tea mug, what was going on there?
Swindle: I had drilled four microscopic holes in them to let the water soak into the famous Rapala balsa wood, which will make ‘em sink a little better, and dive a little deeper.
Q: How many pounds would you be happy with catching today to go to bed tonight knowing you had a great day, and a solid chance at Sunday’s Top 10?
Swindle: 21-pounds
Q: What’s the very first lure you’re going to throw today?
Swindle: One of those custom-soaked DT crankbaits.
Q: How was Lulu’s spaghetti last night?
Swindle: Good and gone. I put four paper plates together to hold the weight of it all.
Q: You’re a music lover. What song is stuck in your head right now?
Swindle: Old school country – John Conlee’s “Rose Colored Glasses.”
“These rose colored glasses that I’m looking through show only the beauty. ‘Cause they hide all the truth.” – John Conlee (1978).
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