PALATKA, Fla. — A little bit of water can make big things happen. Leveraging that logic, Caleb Sumrall sacked up a massive Day 1 limit of 28 pounds, 8 ounces to lead the Bassmaster Elite tournament at St. Johns River.
“That was the best day of fishing in my life,” the pro from New Iberia, La., said. “I’m trying not to get too excited because I don’t know what’s left on my spot.”
Leading Cory Johnston of Otonabee, Canada, by 5-5, Sumrall said he fished in Salt Springs and focused on sight fishing for bedding bass. Notably, Sumrall had not initially intended to fish this area, largely due to his take-off order.
“I was boat 99 today, so I didn’t even start there because I figured it would be loaded with boats,” he said. “But when I got in there around 9 o’clock, there was just one boat in there. I rolled up in there and immediately got a bite, then got another bite. I culled about every hour.”
Typically, a late arrival on a key area relegates an angler to picking through the leftovers. Today, Sumrall benefitted from recent meteorological factors.
“What I think saved me was Wednesday’s practice was really windy,” he said. “I think the guys that were in there looking for fish couldn’t see them.
“The wind came in fluctuations today. I’m looking for the ones that are out a little farther. I think that was the key to catching a big bag.”
With an outgoing tide in the morning, Sumrall fared well by working with the falling water. His best action came in the afternoon, as he drew upon his Southern Louisiana tidal bass fishing know-how.
“I think the tide was key and I think a couple other guys that fished (in Salt Springs) didn’t key in on something specific,” Sumrall said. “Anytime you’re fishing for spawning fish on a tide, 6 inches (of water) over their head is a big deal.
“That can make them go to lock (onto the bed) and bite. There can be a window where those fish go to snapping. I really think that was key. From 11 to 2 is when I got some really good bites.”
Sumrall said he caught his bed fish by pitching a mix of Texas-rigged plastics. Patience, he said, was essential, but a couple of persnickety fish tested his resolve.
“I fished the slowest I’ve fished in my entire life,” he said. “I was just calm and in my zone and I got the bites.
“I worked on one fish for about two hours. Then, I switched to a Missile Baits 48 and on the first cast, I got her to eat it.
Sumrall said he’ll return to Salt Springs for Friday’s second round. He’s not sure what to expect, but the potential is too great to resist.
“I have to go back; it would be silly not to,” he said. “I have boat No. 5 (for Day 2) so I could be the first one in there. Today, I saw an 8-pounder and a 10.
“If the weather remains stable and the wind lays down, there’s the potential for a 35-pound bag — easily.”
Johnston is in second place with 23-3. Notwithstanding his well-documented northern prowess, which included a century belt for catching 100 pounds of smallmouth during his second-place finish at the 2022 Elite tournament at the St. Lawrence River, Johnston said the St. Johns suits his background.
“I grew up fishing just like this — flipping reeds, flipping pads, flipping matted vegetation,” Johnston said of his youth, prior to smallmouth coming into prominence. “There were no smallmouth that played when I was younger, so I grew up fishing largemouth.”
Day 1 saw Johnston employing many of his early fishing lessons. His success required mobility and a diverse bait selection.
“I ran all over (the fishery) and checked a bunch of stuff,” he said. “I had a good bag by about 10 o’clock, so I ran back and covered a bunch of new water.”
Johnston said he got bit on reaction baits early and then switched to flipping later in the day. His targets varied from docks, to pads, to mats.
Wes Logan of Springville, Ala., is in third place with 22-0. Spending his day in the Little Lake George area, he fished various targets including shellbars, wood, pads and docks.
Catching his bass on mix of winding baits and flipping, Logan said the afternoon hours proved most productive.
“I lost some big fish earlier and I don’t know why they came off,” he said. “I don’t know if the sun helped, or maybe it was the tide changing, but later in the day, when they ate it, they ate it.
“I haven’t figured out the windows yet, but you can tell when they start biting. They’re really eating.”
Jake Whitaker of Hendersonville, N.C., is in the lead for Big Bass honors with his 7-15. Rookie Trey McKinney of Carbondale, Ill., leads the Bassmaster Angler of the Year race with 391 points. Jordan Lee of Cullman, Ala., is in second with 347, followed by Cory Johnston with 334, Chris Johnston of Otonabee, Canada, with 324, and Tyler Williams of Belgrade, Maine, with 305. McKinney also leads the race for Bassmaster Rookie of the Year.
Friday’s takeoff is scheduled for 7 a.m. ET at Palatka City Dock & Boat Ramp. The weigh-in will be held back at the ramp at 3 p.m., with only the Top 50 anglers advancing to Semifinal Saturday.
2024 Bassmaster Elite at St. Johns River 4/18-4/21
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Caleb Sumrall New Iberia, LA 5 28-08 103
Day 1: 5 28-08
2. Cory Johnston Otonabee CANADA 5 23-03 102
Day 1: 5 23-03
3. Wes Logan Springville, AL 5 22-00 101
Day 1: 5 22-00
4. Matt Arey Shelby, NC 5 21-00 100
Day 1: 5 21-00
4. Caleb Kuphall Mukwonago, WI 5 21-00 100
Day 1: 5 21-00
6. Trey McKinney Carbondale, IL 5 20-14 98
Day 1: 5 20-14
7. Mark Menendez Paducah, KY 5 20-13 97
Day 1: 5 20-13
8. Jake Whitaker Hendersonville, NC 5 20-06 96 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 20-06
9. Scott Canterbury Odenville, AL 5 19-15 95
Day 1: 5 19-15
10. Greg Hackney Gonzales, LA 5 19-05 94
Day 1: 5 19-05
11. Bill Lowen Brookville, IN 5 19-04 93
Day 1: 5 19-04
12. Steve Kennedy Auburn, AL 5 19-04 92
Day 1: 5 19-04
13. Brandon Card Salisbury, NC 5 19-01 91
Day 1: 5 19-01
14. Lee Livesay Longview, TX 5 18-08 90
Day 1: 5 18-08
15. Bryan Schmitt Deale, MD 5 18-07 89
Day 1: 5 18-07
16. Wesley Gore Clanton, AL 5 17-15 88
Day 1: 5 17-15
17. Koby Kreiger Alva, FL 5 17-14 87
Day 1: 5 17-14
18. Jacob Foutz Charleston, TN 5 17-11 86
Day 1: 5 17-11
19. Cooper Gallant Bowmanville Ontario CAN 5 17-09 85
Day 1: 5 17-09
20. Ray Hanselman Jr Del Rio, TX 5 17-06 84
Day 1: 5 17-06
21. Drew Benton Panama City, FL 5 17-01 83
Day 1: 5 17-01
22. Kyle Norsetter Cottage Grove, WI 5 16-14 82
Day 1: 5 16-14
23. Chris Johnston Otonabee Ontario CANADA 5 16-09 81
Day 1: 5 16-09
24. Brandon Lester Fayetteville, TN 5 16-09 80
Day 1: 5 16-09
25. Todd Auten Clover, SC 5 16-05 79
Day 1: 5 16-05
26. Alex Wetherell Middletown, CT 5 16-04 78
Day 1: 5 16-04
27. Scott Martin Clewiston, FL 5 16-02 77
Day 1: 5 16-02
28. Bob Downey Detroit Lakes, MN 5 16-01 76
Day 1: 5 16-01
29. Brock Mosley Collinsville, MS 5 15-13 75
Day 1: 5 15-13
30. Justin Atkins Florence, AL 5 15-12 74
Day 1: 5 15-12
30. Jamie Hartman Newport, NY 5 15-12 74
Day 1: 5 15-12
32. Hunter Shryock Ooltewah, TN 5 15-11 72
Day 1: 5 15-11
33. Chris Zaldain Fort Worth, TX 5 15-02 71
Day 1: 5 15-02
34. Gregory DiPalma Millville, NJ 5 15-00 70
Day 1: 5 15-00
35. Gerald Swindle Guntersville, AL 4 14-13 69
Day 1: 4 14-13
36. Matty Wong Honolulu, HI 5 14-08 68
Day 1: 5 14-08
37. Jonathan Kelley Old Forge, PA 5 14-05 67
Day 1: 5 14-05
38. Paul Mueller Naugatuck, CT 5 14-03 66
Day 1: 5 14-03
38. Brandon Palaniuk Rathdrum, ID 5 14-03 66
Day 1: 5 14-03
40. Jordan Lee Cullman, AL 5 14-02 64
Day 1: 5 14-02
40. Alex Redwine Blue Ash, OH 5 14-02 64
Day 1: 5 14-02
42. Ed Loughran III Richmond, VA 5 13-15 62
Day 1: 5 13-15
42. Kyle Welcher Valley, AL 5 13-15 62
Day 1: 5 13-15
44. Ben Milliken New Caney, TX 5 13-11 60
Day 1: 5 13-11
44. Clifford Pirch Payson, AZ 5 13-11 60
Day 1: 5 13-11
46. Frank Talley Belton, TX 5 13-10 58
Day 1: 5 13-10
47. Jacob Powroznik North Prince George, VA 5 13-09 57
Day 1: 5 13-09
47. Matt Robertson Kuttawa, KY 5 13-09 57
Day 1: 5 13-09
49. Luke Palmer Coalgate, OK 5 13-08 55
Day 1: 5 13-08
50. John Cox Debary, FL 5 13-07 54
Day 1: 5 13-07
50. Buddy Gross Chattanooga, TN 5 13-07 54
Day 1: 5 13-07
52. Timothy Dube Nashua , NH 5 13-06 52
Day 1: 5 13-06
52. Cody Huff Ava, MO 5 13-06 52
Day 1: 5 13-06
54. Marc Frazier Newnan, GA 5 13-02 50
Day 1: 5 13-02
54. Clark Wendlandt Leander, TX 5 13-02 50
Day 1: 5 13-02
56. Will Davis Jr Sylacauga, AL 5 13-01 48
Day 1: 5 13-01
56. John Soukup Sapulpa, OK 5 13-01 48
Day 1: 5 13-01
58. Stetson Blaylock Benton, AR 5 12-15 46
Day 1: 5 12-15
58. Pat Schlapper Eleva, WI 5 12-15 46
Day 1: 5 12-15
60. Matt Herren Ashville, AL 5 12-14 44
Day 1: 5 12-14
60. Tyler Rivet Raceland, LA 5 12-14 44
Day 1: 5 12-14
62. Kenta Kimura Osaka OK JAPAN 5 12-13 42
Day 1: 5 12-13
63. Rick Clunn Ava, MO 5 12-12 41
Day 1: 5 12-12
64. Derek Hudnall Zachary, LA 5 12-08 40
Day 1: 5 12-08
65. Brandon Cobb Greenwood, SC 5 12-07 39
Day 1: 5 12-07
66. Carl Jocumsen Queensland TN AUSTRALIA 5 12-06 38
Day 1: 5 12-06
67. Jason Christie Dry Creek, OK 5 12-01 37
Day 1: 5 12-01
67. Bryant Smith Roseville, CA 5 12-01 37
Day 1: 5 12-01
69. Jay Przekurat Plover, WI 5 11-15 35
Day 1: 5 11-15
70. Seth Feider New Market, MN 5 11-14 34
Day 1: 5 11-14
70. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, FL 5 11-14 34
Day 1: 5 11-14
72. Keith Combs Huntington, TX 5 11-12 32
Day 1: 5 11-12
73. Shane LeHew Catawba, NC 5 11-10 31
Day 1: 5 11-10
74. Logan Latuso Gonzales, LA 5 11-01 30
Day 1: 5 11-01
75. Clent Davis Montevallo, AL 5 11-00 29
Day 1: 5 11-00
76. Robert Gee Knoxville, TN 5 10-15 28
Day 1: 5 10-15
77. Drew Cook Cairo, GA 5 10-14 27
Day 1: 5 10-14
78. John Garrett Union City, TN 5 10-13 26
Day 1: 5 10-13
79. Kyle Patrick Cooperstown, NY 5 10-12 25
Day 1: 5 10-12
80. Hank Cherry Jr Lincolnton, NC 5 10-09 24
Day 1: 5 10-09
80. Logan Parks Auburn, AL 5 10-09 24
Day 1: 5 10-09
82. Joey Cifuentes III Clinton, AR 5 10-07 22
Day 1: 5 10-07
83. Patrick Walters Eutawville, SC 5 10-06 21
Day 1: 5 10-06
84. Tyler Williams Belgrade, ME 5 10-05 20
Day 1: 5 10-05
85. David Gaston Sylacauga, AL 5 10-04 19
Day 1: 5 10-04
86. Joseph Webster Hamilton, AL 5 09-14 18
Day 1: 5 09-14
87. Taku Ito Dalton GA JAPAN 5 09-12 17
Day 1: 5 09-12
88. Chad Pipkens Dewitt, MI 5 09-10 16
Day 1: 5 09-10
89. John Crews Jr Salem, VA 5 09-08 15
Day 1: 5 09-08
90. Jason Williamson Aiken, SC 5 09-01 14
Day 1: 5 09-01
91. Mike Huff London, KY 5 08-15 13
Day 1: 5 08-15
92. Bryan New Leesville, SC 5 08-14 12
Day 1: 5 08-14
92. Cliff Prince Palatka, FL 5 08-14 12
Day 1: 5 08-14
94. Cole Sands Calhoun , TN 5 08-12 10
Day 1: 5 08-12
95. Brad Whatley Bivins, TX 2 08-09 9
Day 1: 2 08-09
96. Michael Iaconelli Pitts Grove, NJ 5 08-05 8
Day 1: 5 08-05
97. KJ Queen Catawba, NC 5 07-13 7
Day 1: 5 07-13
98. David Mullins Mt Carmel, TN 5 07-11 6
Day 1: 5 07-11
99. Austin Felix Eden Prairie, MN 5 06-13 5
Day 1: 5 06-13
100. Jeff Gustafson Kenora, ON Ontario CANA 5 06-11 4
Day 1: 5 06-11
101. Kyoya Fujita Yamanashi CA JAPAN 3 05-11 3
Day 1: 3 05-11
102. Justin Hamner Northport, AL 5 05-09 2
Day 1: 5 05-09
103. JT Thompkins Myrtle Beach, SC 2 04-06 1
Day 1: 2 04-06
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PHOENIX BOATS BIG BASS
Day
1 Jake Whitaker Hendersonville, NC 07-15 $1,000.00
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 99 506 1411-00
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99 506 1411-00