2017 BASS Southern Open Harris Chain of Lakes Day 1: Marty Robinson Takes Lead over 200 Pros.

Star studded field descend on Florida

By Andrew Canulette

BASS PRESS RELEASE

Florida bills itself as the “Fishing Capital of the World,” and the Harris Chain of Lakes is one of its crown jewels.

Robinson leads with 23-11lbs on Day 1.
(Photo: BASS)

On Thursday in the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Southern Open No. 1, the acclaimed Florida fishery showed off a bit – for mid-January, at least.

From the time Alabama pro Deron Patrick started the 3 1/2-hour weigh-in with a 16-pound, 2-ounce limit, until the last of the field of 400 checked in, a steady stream of fish came across the stage. It made for an impressive display and for a momentous first day in the first Bassmaster tournament of the 2017 season.

Bassmaster Elite Series pro Marty Robinson of Lyman, S.C., had the heaviest bag among the 200 boating anglers, with five bass that weighed 23-11. The total gave him a narrow lead in the three-day tournament being held on this 80,000-acre network of lakes.

But he wasn’t the only one who was successful Thursday. Thirty-three pro anglers boated at least 15 pounds of bass, and eight of those bags weighed more than 20 pounds. Closest to Robinson are Hunter Shryock (second place, 22-1) and former Elite Series pro Ken Iyobe (third, 21-14). Others catching 20 pounds or more were fishing legend Paul Elias (fourth, 21-12); Justin Lucas (fifth, 21-11); Jordan Lee (sixth, 21-0); John Pollard (seventh, 20-11); and Chris Heath (eighth, 20-8).

2015 Bassmaster Elite Sacramento River Day 3: Justin Lucas Leads As Weights Sink.

Lucas Readies for Career Defining Win.

By Bryan Brasher

bass press release

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Justin Lucas knows he’s on the verge of something special.

But with the way fish are behaving on the California Delta, he knows he still has plenty of work to do if he’s going to raise the coveted blue trophy and pocket a $100,000 check in front of a crowd filled with his family and friends Sunday afternoon.

Lucas still sight fishing as the Delta becomes more difficult.
(Photo: James Overstreet BASS)

A native Californian who now lives in Alabama, Lucas caught five bass Saturday that weighed 19 pounds, 3 ounces and took the lead in the Sacramento Bassmaster Elite at Sacramento River with a three-day total of 66-14.

Lucas will lead the Top 12 remaining anglers into Sunday’s championship round with a pair of fellow California natives in close contention. Aaron Martens, who like Lucas grew up in California and relocated to Alabama, is in second with 63-14, followed by San Jose, Calif., resident Chris Zaldain with 60-12.