Getting ready for the Day One of the Bassmaster Elite Weigh-In I wondered what would be the overused phrase by the Elites. The overall winner by far was “It’s a grind out there.”
Used at least once by 31 in the field of 103, the Sabine River showed its teeth by only giving up eleven double-digit bags Thursday.
Other popular quotes from the Elites after Day One.
“Like’em when it’s tough”
“Never got a good bite”
“This place is a challenge”
“Keep my head up”
“Happy to have five”
“Lot’s of fish. Just not many big ones.”
The only quote from the leader was, “see you tomorrow!” Thanks to a 5-12 for big bass of the day, 39 year old Michigan native Chad Pipkens is your day one leader with an impressive 14-7 sack.
That was followed by 13-2 from Tennessee’s Hunter Shryock and 13-1 from Japan’s Kenta Kimura. The top ten is below, and includes 14x winner and Classic Champ Larry Nixon, who is still fishing the grind at 72 years of age.
Another legend had the quote of the day. Rick Clunn, 76, usually doesn’t have much to say, especially when he’s in 88th place. But he looked out into the crowd after he weighed in and said, “I’ve been around a long time and have fished many places (with BASS) where we were unwanted. But that’s what I love about this place (Orange), when you come here, the people make you feel wanted, so I thank y’all for that.”
Day One was also not good to fan favorite Gerald Swindle who sits in 87th place. “I’m going to have to go back to the campground and try to figure it out. That’s after I knock the front end out of my Tundra going down I-10. I came here 19 years ago and those same orange barrels are out there and still no progress. I just want to stop and ask hey, does anyone have a map or a plan or a forecast? Because surely to God we can get one side of that thing finished before I turn 80.” It was no surprise that the Orange crowd gave him the biggest reaction of the day.
The daily take off is 6am with weigh-in at 3pm. The field will be cut to 50 on Saturday and then the top ten fishes Sunday. Complete Day One standings.
-Gary Stelly, KOGT-
photo by Dalton Tumblin
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