The Bassmaster Elite Tournament on the Sabine River saw hundreds of changes in each of the four days. Changes in conditions, changing baits, changing positions in the standings. Only one thing didn’t change. Pat Schlapper was the leader everyday and Sunday he got to hold up the big blue trophy for the first time as an Elite Champion.
Schlapper, from Wisconsin, was joined by his mom, dad and friends that flew in. Schlapper dedicated the win to those that came to share it with him and his brother who he lost almost a year ago.
Despite being tied for second, Patrick Walters got the second place check over Kyoya Fujita because ties are broken by heaviest single day weight and Walters weighed 12-7 on the final day. According to emcee Dave Mercer, if Walters and Fujita had tied for first, they would’ve gone back into the water for a fish-off which has not happened before.
PHOTOS FROM CHAMPIONSHIP SUNDAY
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