Brett Hite Wins the 2014 Bassmaster Elite Lake Seminole Event

Hite wins his first Elite event!

By Deb Johnson

bass press release

Sunday, Hite won the first Bassmaster Elite Series event in which he’s competed, the Dick Cepek Tires Bassmaster Elite at Lake Seminole presented by Hardee’s.

Hite uses his trademark vibrating jig to win at Lake
Seminole. This is Hite's second Tour win in one month.
(Photo: BASS)

The Phoenix, Ariz., pro’s name is now alongside Derek Remitz’s in the history books as the only Elite Series rookie who walked away with the trophy in his debut event.

Hite’s prize was $100,000 and an automatic berth in the 2015 Bassmaster Classic on Lake Hartwell, South Carolina.

“I’m pretty excited because Lake Hartwell is one of my favorite lakes,” Hite said. “Going into this season, getting to Lake Hartwell was a goal. But I’m still going into the rest of the season by putting my head down and practicing hard and fishing hard.”

With a four-day total of 97 pounds, 10 ounces, Hite’s margin of victory was a whopping 13 pounds heavier than the runner-up, Todd Faircloth of Jasper, Texas, who posted an 84-10 total.

2014 Bassmaster Elite Lake Seminole Day 3: Brett Hite Leads by 10lbs!

Hite waiting for day 4. He left a pod of big bass.

By Deb Johnson

bass Press Release

BAINBRIDGE, Ga. — Lake Seminole bass fishing could not be setting up any better for Brett Hite: big prespawn bass traveling on “highways” to beds.

Hite casting a vibrating jig to pre-spawn bass.
(Photo: BASS)

Knowing how to target prespawners is one of his main strengths, said the Phoenix, Ariz., pro who is a Bassmaster Elite Series rookie, but prefers to call himself “young veteran” as a tip of the hat to his almost 13 years competing in big-name tournaments.

Saturday, Hite proved his experience by repeating his Friday lead in the Dick Cepek Tires Bassmaster Elite at Lake Seminole presented by Hardee’s.

And what a lead. Heading into Sunday’s championship round, Hite had 9 pounds, 12 ounces over his closest threat, Mark Davis of Mount Ida, Ark.

Hite’s total over the event’s first three competition days was 71-11. A consistent Davis, with a tally of 61-15 — 20 pounds and change each of three days — reached second place, up from seventh.

2014 Bassmaster Elite Lake Seminole Day 2: Brett Hite Takes Lead on Fog Delayed Day

Rookie takes lead in Elite season opener

By Deb Johnson

BASS Press Release

BAINBRIDGE, Ga. — Brett Hite’s first catch Friday was a 4-pounder. On his next cast, a largemouth just as big came back to the boat.

Brett Hite is on a roll. On the back of his
resent FLW win, Hite bags another 20lb plus day.
(Photos: Darren Jacobson BASS)

“That got things rolling, and gave me a lot of confidence in what I’m doing,” said Hite, the Bassmaster Elite Series rookie who moved up from fourth place into Friday’s catbird seat in the Dick Cepek Tires Bassmaster Elite at Lake Seminole presented by Hardee’s.

The Phoenix, Ariz., pro ended his day with 20 pounds, 11 ounces. Added to his 24-11 already on the board, Hite had the lead in his first Elite appearance. His 45-6 total gave him a 14-ounce jump on Bernie Schultz of Gainesville, Fla.

Schultz held fast to his second-place standing achieved the first day, when a 10-pound, 10-ounce behemoth made his weigh-in bag sag. His 17-10 of Friday brought his weight to 44-8.

2014 Bassmaster Elite Lake Seminole Day 1: Grigsby Bounds into Lead with 30lb Bag!

Shaw Grigsby Lets Everyone Know Who is King of the Spring. 

by Deb Johnson

BASS Press release

BAINBRIDGE, Ga. — If bed fishing’s the game, Shaw Grigsby’s the name.

And that’s just how it went Thursday, the first day of the Dick Cepek Tires Bassmaster Elite at Lake Seminole presented by Hardee’s. Out of Bainbridge, Ga., the event is the 2014 Elite Series season opener.

Shaw has won here twice before and is looking
to make it a hat trick.
(Photos:BASS)

Well-known for his talent of enticing big bass on or near beds to take his bait, Grigsby led the 108-pro field by 3 pounds, 7 ounces, with a 30-pound, 5-ounce day’s total.

“It was a perfect day,” said Grigsby, who caught the entire 30-plus pounds by 10 a.m., and then sat back and ate cold chicken. “One of those great days — amazing.”

Grigsby took the first step toward duplicating his 2011 season-opener victory in Florida, the ninth and most recent win of his storied Bassmaster career. Two of those titles were taken at Lake Seminole.

Grigsby’s 3-7 lead was over Bernie Schultz, who weighed 26-14. A largemouth of 10-10 was the jewel of Schultz’s bag — and the largest single bass brought to the scales Thursday.

2013 FLW Lake Okeechobee Day 3: Huge Flip Flop Lands Benton in Lead

By Luigi De Rose

Strong north wind wrecks havoc with the Top 20 anglers on day 3 of the first stop of the 2013 FLW tour. Day 2 leader Rick Cotton, only lands 3 bass for 7 pounds, dropping him to second. A far cry from his 30-03 bag yesterday,  Cotton remains optimistic as the wind will shift from the north to south east. He feels it will help productive areas remain sheltered and clear.

Consistency has propelled Florida angler Drew Benton into first. He only brought 15 pound to the scales today but on the back of two 23 pound days, today' limit was enough to push him pass all others. He was unsure how day 4 will unfold but is glad to be leading.

Tremendous fishing pressure and two cold fronts seemed to take their toll but on everyone except Brent Ehrler. He's sitting in 3rd with the day's best catch of 20-02 pounds. As for the rest of the Top 20, many had dismal results scattering the leader board. Brent is sharing his main area with Chad Grigsby might succumb to over fishing. Chad's catch of 10 pounds dropped him all the way to 8th place.  Wade Henricks and Mike Neil, both of Tennessee round out the rest of the top 5.

Sunday, the last day, will be very interesting. A wind switch, more large spawning bass advancing toward top anglers and a limited field should make for a nail biting final weigh-in.