Long runs and low weights may sound like a bummer, but those who’ve fished the Sabine River know this is one of the most engaging and potentially dramatic of Southern fisheries. If past tournaments provide any indication, the MAXAM Tire Bassmaster Elite at Sabine River should offer another highly entertaining event.
While the Sabine’s relatively modest fish size pales in comparison to the Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series’ previous stop at the Texas monster factory Lake Fork, the Sabine still has plenty of bass. According to Caleb Sumrall of New Iberia, La., the challenge will be weeding through quantity in hopes of finding quality.
“The goal is to find those 2 1/2- to 3-pound bass,” Sumrall said. “Every spring, a 7- to 9-pounder comes out of there. But if you catch a 5 or a 6, you have a fish that you can ride for a couple days. That’s a really big fish for (May).
“I think a lot of people will have limits; there’s no shortage of 12-inch bass, but it’s a matter of who’s gonna break over that 8- to 10-pound a day mark to have a good check. The guy that catches 11 1/2 to 12 pounds a day will probably win it.”
Competition days will be May 15-18 with daily takeoffs from City of Orange Boat Ramp, at 6:30 a.m. CT and weigh-ins each day back at the boat ramp at 2:30 p.m. The field will be cut to the Top 50 on Day 3 before the Top 10 duke it out on Championship Sunday for the top prize of $100,000 and a coveted blue trophy.
The MAXAM Tire Bassmaster Elite at Sabine River is free and open to the public.
Bassmaster LIVE coverage of the MAXAM Tire Bassmaster Elite at Sabine River will be available on Bassmaster.com on Days 1 and 2 starting at 8 a.m. ET and ending at 3 p.m. Roku will have coverage on Days 1 and 2 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. and noon to 3 p.m. FS1 will carry the morning action on Days 3 and 4 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. before moving to Bassmaster.com in the afternoon.
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