OKEECHOBEE, Fla. — Expectations did not match reality for Bernie Schultz, but the veteran Florida pro was delighted with a surprising day that yielded a five-bass limit of 28 pounds, 11 ounces, which leads Day 1 of the Bassmaster Elite tournament at Lake Okeechobee. Schultz anchored his bag with an 8-10 that leads the Big Bass standings. He heads into Day 2 with a 3-pound lead over local favorite Scott Martin.
“It was a remarkable day; I didn’t expect to catch that,” Schultz said. “I thought I’d get one — if I was lucky maybe two — big bites, but I got four big bites.”
Schultz caught his bass in two main sections of one general area that he found prior to the off-limits period. With depths of about 3 feet, the area held a mix of vegetation — a key ingredient, given the lake’s present condition. High water has altered much of the traditional spawning areas, while herbicide treatments have dramatically reduced the hydrilla and eelgrass that once covered vast acreage. The area Schultz fished had a mix of these submerged aquatic plants, along with dollar pads, bulrush and cattails.
“I knew this area was going to be good because the vegetation is very healthy; that’s really a rare thing in this lake these days,” Schultz said. “The lake has shrunk because of habitat loss. Places that were once lush and healthy are barren right now.
“There’s not a lot of filtration in places that were historically really productive this time of year because the fish aren’t using them.”
Schultz caught all of his fish on a 5-inch Yamamoto Senko. He’s using two rigging styles — one for open-water presentations and one for tighter spots amid vegetation.
“I’m fishing slow because I’m in an area where there’s a lot of pressure,” he said. “I got my first big bite pretty early. I had a limit early, but it took a pretty good while to get the second big bite. That was the 8-10.
“I moved areas and caught another 8-pounder and one that was about 6.”
Schultz noted that, while the first half of his day produced more numbers of fish, the latter half yielded the biggest bites.
“I think the afternoons are better once you get that water temperature up,” Schultz said.
Tournament practice saw colder and mostly windy conditions whipping the lake and limiting the opportunity level.
“The first day of practice it was blowing like crazy throughout the day and it was just hard to fish,” Schultz said. “I was getting bit on moving baits but I never had a big bite.
“I had one 4-pounder, and I think that really tipped me off that I’m in a good area.”
Schultz said he will return to his area on Day 2. He’s confident he left plenty of bass there, but he’s unsure of how the overall fishing pressure will affect it.
“I don’t know what’s left (in my area); there were a lot of other boats there so we’ll have to see what happens,” Schultz said. “I’m trying to out-fish guys that are really good.”
Hailing from Clewiston, Fla., Martin admits that home-field advantage is often overstated, but his lifetime of local knowledge served him well by delivering a second-place limit of 25-11. Fishing the lake’s south end, Martin spent his day in a tucked-away area that he had all to himself.
“I prepared for this week, but I didn’t find a whole lot,” Martin said. “A couple of things gave me some clues as to what might happen. I kind of went with my gut this morning and it paid off big time.
“We have, maybe, three more days of fishing out here, so I may have to make adjustments throughout the week.”
Martin caught most of his fish with a prop bait. A slow, methodical presentation proved most effective for provoking fish that were becoming increasingly active with the week’s warming trend. Martin also caught keepers by flipping shallow vegetation with a Texas-rigged creature bait.
Tyler Rivet of Raceland, La., is in third place with 24-5. Clearly enthusiastic about not only his Day 1 performance but also his upcoming prospects, Rivet credited his success to making good adjustments.
“I was doing what I like to do, flipping an Xcite Baits Sucka Punch and throwing a ChatterBait and a few secret deals that I found would work,” Rivet said. “There’s a ton of fish the way I’m catching them, so I think I can go out there tomorrow and catch them.
“I haven’t had this feeling for a tournament in a while, and I think it can happen for this one. There are a few people in my area, but what they’re throwing and what I’m throwing are different. Hopefully, it can stay that way.”
Friday’s takeoff is scheduled for 7:30 a.m. ET at C. Scott Driver Park. The weigh-in will be held at the park at 3:30 p.m. Only the Top 50 anglers will advance to Semifinal Saturday. Bassmaster LIVE coverage begins at 8 a.m. on Bassmaster, Tubi and the FOX Sports platforms.
2023 SiteOne Bassmaster Elite at Lake Okeechobee 2/16-2/19
Lake Okeechobee, Okeechobee FL.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, FL 5 28-11 100 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 28-11
2. Scott Martin Clewiston, FL 5 25-11 99
Day 1: 5 25-11
3. Tyler Rivet Raceland, LA 5 24-05 98
Day 1: 5 24-05
4. Steve Kennedy Auburn, AL 5 23-08 97
Day 1: 5 23-08
5. Drew Cook Cairo, GA 5 22-12 96
Day 1: 5 22-12
6. Brandon Cobb Greenwood, SC 5 22-09 95
Day 1: 5 22-09
7. Will Davis Jr Sylacauga, AL 5 21-07 94
Day 1: 5 21-07
8. Patrick Walters Eutawville, SC 5 21-05 93
Day 1: 5 21-05
9. Cooper Gallant Bowmanville Ontario CAN 5 21-03 92
Day 1: 5 21-03
10. Marc Frazier Newnan, GA 5 21-00 91
Day 1: 5 21-00
11. Ed Loughran III Richmond, VA 5 20-03 90
Day 1: 5 20-03
12. Michael Iaconelli Pittsgrove, NJ 5 19-10 89
Day 1: 5 19-10
13. Brandon Palaniuk Rathdrum, ID 5 19-03 88
Day 1: 5 19-03
14. Clifford Pirch Payson, AZ 5 18-12 87
Day 1: 5 18-12
15. Clark Wendlandt Leander, TX 5 18-09 86
Day 1: 5 18-09
16. Kyle Welcher Opelika, AL 5 18-08 85
Day 1: 5 18-08
17. Bob Downey Detroit Lakes, MN 5 18-05 84
Day 1: 5 18-05
18. Jay Przekurat Stevens Point, WI 5 18-01 83
Day 1: 5 18-01
19. Josh Douglas Isle, MN 5 17-13 82
Day 1: 5 17-13
19. Greg Hackney Gonzales, LA 5 17-13 82
Day 1: 5 17-13
21. Jeff Gustafson Kenora, Ontario CANADA 5 17-07 80
Day 1: 5 17-07
21. Gerald Swindle Guntersville, AL 5 17-07 80
Day 1: 5 17-07
23. Chris Johnston Otonabee Ontario CANADA 5 17-06 78
Day 1: 5 17-06
23. Brock Mosley Collinsville, MS 5 17-06 78
Day 1: 5 17-06
25. John Cox DeBary, FL 5 17-05 76
Day 1: 5 17-05
26. Cody Huff Ava, MO 5 17-03 75
Day 1: 5 17-03
27. Stetson Blaylock Benton, AR 5 17-02 74
Day 1: 5 17-02
28. David Gaston Sylacauga, AL 5 17-01 73
Day 1: 5 17-01
28. Logan Latuso Gonzales, LA 5 17-01 73
Day 1: 5 17-01
30. Buddy Gross Chattanooga, TN 5 16-15 71
Day 1: 5 16-15
31. Shane LeHew Catawba, NC 5 16-13 70
Day 1: 5 16-13
32. Matt Arey Shelby, NC 5 16-12 69
Day 1: 5 16-12
32. Scott Canterbury Odenville, AL 5 16-12 69
Day 1: 5 16-12
34. Skylar Hamilton Jefferson, TN 5 16-10 67
Day 1: 5 16-10
35. Pat Schlapper Eleva, WI 5 16-09 66
Day 1: 5 16-09
36. Brandon Card Salisbury, NC 5 16-01 65
Day 1: 5 16-01
36. Chris Zaldain Fort Worth, TX 5 16-01 65
Day 1: 5 16-01
38. Hank Cherry Jr Lincolnton, NC 5 15-15 63
Day 1: 5 15-15
39. Bryan New Saluda, SC 5 15-14 62
Day 1: 5 15-14
40. Justin Atkins Florence, AL 5 15-06 61
Day 1: 5 15-06
40. Joey Cifuentes III Clinton, AR 5 15-06 61
Day 1: 5 15-06
40. Ray Hanselman Jr Del Rio, TX 5 15-06 61
Day 1: 5 15-06
43. Brandon Lester Fayetteville, TN 5 15-05 58
Day 1: 5 15-05
43. Lee Livesay Longview, TX 5 15-05 58
Day 1: 5 15-05
45. Gary Clouse Winchester, TN 5 15-04 56
Day 1: 5 15-04
46. Jake Whitaker Hendersonville, NC 5 15-03 55
Day 1: 5 15-03
47. Caleb Kuphall Mukwonago, WI 5 15-00 54
Day 1: 5 15-00
47. Luke Palmer Coalgate, OK 5 15-00 54
Day 1: 5 15-00
49. Kyoya Fujita Minamitsuru, Yamanashi 5 14-15 52
Day 1: 5 14-15
49. Darold Gleason Many, LA 5 14-15 52
Day 1: 5 14-15
51. Mark Menendez Paducah, KY 5 14-13 50
Day 1: 5 14-13
52. Cliff Prince Palatka, FL 5 14-09 49
Day 1: 5 14-09
53. Jamie Hartman Newport, NY 5 14-07 48
Day 1: 5 14-07
54. Bradley Hallman Edmond, OK 5 14-06 47
Day 1: 5 14-06
55. Jonathan Kelley Old Forge, PA 5 14-04 46
Day 1: 5 14-04
55. Brad Whatley Bivins, TX 5 14-04 46
Day 1: 5 14-04
57. Gregory DiPalma Millville, NJ 5 14-03 44
Day 1: 5 14-03
58. Kyle Norsetter Cottage Grove, WI 5 14-01 43
Day 1: 5 14-01
59. KJ Queen Conover, NC 5 13-14 42
Day 1: 5 13-14
60. Justin Hamner Northport, AL 5 13-09 41
Day 1: 5 13-09
61. Keith Combs Huntington, TX 5 13-06 40
Day 1: 5 13-06
62. Jason Christie Dry Creek, OK 5 13-05 39
Day 1: 5 13-05
62. Frank Talley Temple, TX 5 13-05 39
Day 1: 5 13-05
64. David Mullins Mt Carmel, TN 5 13-02 37
Day 1: 5 13-02
65. Micah Frazier Newnan, GA 5 13-00 36
Day 1: 5 13-00
65. David Fritts Lexington, NC 5 13-00 36
Day 1: 5 13-00
67. Jacob Foutz Charleston, TN 5 12-15 34
Day 1: 5 12-15
68. Carl Jocumsen Queensland AUSTRALIA 5 12-14 33
Day 1: 5 12-14
68. Wes Logan Springville, AL 5 12-14 33
Day 1: 5 12-14
70. Bryan Schmitt Deale, MD 5 12-12 31
Day 1: 5 12-12
71. Hunter Shryock Ooltewah, TN 5 12-11 30
Day 1: 5 12-11
72. Jason Williamson Aiken, SC 5 12-09 29
Day 1: 5 12-09
73. John Crews Jr Salem, VA 5 12-06 28
Day 1: 5 12-06
73. Koby Kreiger Alva, FL 5 12-06 28
Day 1: 5 12-06
73. Bryant Smith Roseville, CA 5 12-06 28
Day 1: 5 12-06
76. Matty Wong Honolulu, HI 5 12-04 25
Day 1: 5 12-04
77. Derek Hudnall Zachary, LA 5 12-02 24
Day 1: 5 12-02
78. Rick Clunn Ava, MO 5 12-00 23
Day 1: 5 12-00
79. Chad Pipkens DeWitt, MI 5 11-11 22
Day 1: 5 11-11
80. Bill Lowen Brookville, IN 5 11-09 21
Day 1: 5 11-09
81. Kenta Kimura Osaka JAPAN 5 11-08 20
Day 1: 5 11-08
82. Mike Huff London, KY 5 11-07 19
Day 1: 5 11-07
83. Matt Herren Ashville, AL 5 11-04 18
Day 1: 5 11-04
84. Seth Feider New Market, MN 5 11-01 17
Day 1: 5 11-01
85. Jacob Powroznik North Prince George, VA 5 10-15 16
Day 1: 5 10-15
86. Joseph Webster Hamilton, AL 5 10-11 15
Day 1: 5 10-11
87. Drew Benton Panama City, FL 5 10-08 14
Day 1: 5 10-08
88. Clent Davis Montevallo, AL 5 10-04 13
Day 1: 5 10-04
88. Austin Felix Eden Prairie, MN 5 10-04 13
Day 1: 5 10-04
90. Paul Mueller Naugatuck, CT 5 10-01 11
Day 1: 5 10-01
91. Joshua Stracner Vandiver, AL 5 09-15 10
Day 1: 5 09-15
92. Taku Ito Chiba, JAPAN 5 09-07 9
Day 1: 5 09-07
92. Alex Redwine Blue Ash, OH 5 09-07 9
Day 1: 5 09-07
94. Masayuki Matsushita Tokoname-Shi, JAPAN 5 08-12 7
Day 1: 5 08-12
95. Cory Johnston Cavan CANADA 5 08-03 6
Day 1: 5 08-03
95. Caleb Sumrall New Iberia, LA 5 08-03 6
Day 1: 5 08-03
97. Todd Auten Lake Wylie, SC 5 06-12 4
Day 1: 5 06-12
98. Matt Robertson Kuttawa, KY 5 06-04 3
Day 1: 5 06-04
99. Alex Wetherell Middletown, CT 4 06-00 2
Day 1: 4 06-00
100. Cole Sands Calhoun, TN 4 05-06 1
Day 1: 4 05-06
101. John Soukup Sapulpa, OK 5 05-04 0
Day 1: 5 05-04
102. David Williams Newton, NC 3 03-01 0
Day 1: 3 03-01
103. Larry Nixon Bee Branch, AR 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
103. Keith Poche Cecil, AL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
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PHOENIX BOATS BIG BASS
Day
1 Bernie Schultz Gainesville, FL 08-10 $1,000.00
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 99 506 1495-09
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99 506 1495-09