Gagliardi Wins 2023 Bass Pro Tour on Lake Murray

By Tyler Banks

BASS PRO TOUR

APRIL 7, 2023 • TYLER BRINKS • BASS PRO TOUR

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Coming into Fox Rent A Car Stage Three Presented by Mercury, just about everyone with even a passing interest in tournament bass fishing had Anthony Gagliardi on their radar as a favorite to win.

He lives on the lake in Prosperity, South Carolina, and has had great success on his home waters (to the tune of $730,000 winnings in MLF tournaments alone). On Championship Day – when it mattered most – Gagliardi didn’t disappoint, claiming a dominant win with a two-day total of 47 pounds, 12 ounces to eclipse runner-up Ott DeFoe by 4-11.

Gagliardi’s 26-13 on the final day was the best five-fish bag on the week and was emphasized by an 8-pounder he caught a few minutes before noon to claim the win in his hometown.

How Gagliardi did it

Much of the talk throughout the tournament was centered around spawning – either bedding bass or bass eating spawning herring. Gagliardi sampled a bit of both, but generally did something against the grain and relied on a drop-shot rig for his winning bass this week.

“I had a decent practice, but was also a little disappointed,” he admitted. “I had found a way to catch fish with a drop-shot but never felt like I’d found the winning fish. It was a consistent bite, but I didn’t think I could catch big enough fish to win. But, the bite kept improving every day.”

Gagliardi opened the event by posting 17-12 and backed it up with 17-8 the next day. That was good for a ninth-place finish in Group A to advance to the Knockout Round, where he totaled 20-15 to settle fifth (2-8 behind leader Jeff Sprague).

But, local favorite the saved his best for the final day, highlighted by his 8-0 (the biggest bass of the event), Gagliardi added a 5-12, 4-12, 4-6, and 3-15 for his impressive limit.

DAIWA: New 23 Tatula Elite Rods

 

DAIWA Ramps up Tatula Elite Bass Rod Series  Cypress, CA (March 24, 2023) – Relying on extensive input from some of the best pro anglers competing on the B.A.S.S. and Major League Fishing tournament circuits, DAIWA brings new blank construction technology and a lighter ‘Air Sensor’ reel seat to its expanding, now 29-model technique specific Tatula Elite bass rod series. Along with the upgrade to rods in the existing Tatula Elite lineup, models have been added for today’s advanced fishing techniques. In the nine all new rods now being offered, bass anglers will find unique spinning rods for casting hair jigs long distances, and longer length cranking rods built with lighter glass blank material, so baits will dive even deeper. At the core of the redesigned Tatula Elite bass rods is DAIWA’s exclusive SVF NANOPLUS graphite and X45 Bias blank construction. “Plus, these new rods are even lighter by using our ‘Micropitch’ heating process that puts extensive pressure on the blank to give them more muscle while keeping that light-in-hand feel,” said DAIWA’s Marketing Manager Marc Mills. “The new carbon graphite ‘Air Sensor’ reel also adds to the rods’ overall lightness. And on the Tatula Elite cranking rods, anglers will also notice lighter glass material used, which combined with the Air Sensor reel seat brings better overall sensitivity." Within new Tatula Elite lineup, bass anglers will also notice new lengths and actions designed for even more advanced techniques, each designed by DAIWA’s Team Tatula pro anglers Brett Ehlers, Randy Howell, Takahiro Omori, Cody Meyer, Seth Feider, Ish Monroe, Patrick Walters, Corey Johnston, and Chris Johnston. The ‘Canadian Invasion’ makes it mark within the new Tatula Elite rods with two unique models. Corey Johnston brings to the new lineup his Tatula Elite TTEL751MHRB soft stickbaits/football jig 7’5” medium-heavy power casting rod with a straight cork grip. He calls it his ‘everything’ rod for all his bottom contact techniques.

Gussy Grabs Lightning at Bassmaster Classic

 

(Photo: James Overstreet/BASS) Ladson, SC – (March 27, 2023) – A week before conquering the 2023 Bassmaster Classic, Z-Man pro Jeff “Gussy” Gustafson paused a moment to reflect, perhaps clairvoyantly. “Last time we were here, something pretty special happened.” Two years later. Same bass fishery. Identical ElaZtech® softbait. For Gussy, it was one more, even bigger trophy. “This is my version of winning the Stanley Cup,” exclaimed the first Canadian born winner of the Bassmaster Classic, with a nod to his peeps back in Kenora, Ontario. Employing a precision, vertical jigging maneuver known as moping—or as he calls it, hanging a minnow— Gussy enticed all twelve of his smallmouth bass with the same title-winning softbait. Hovering inches above the eyeballs of big bronzebacks, a Z-Man 4-inch Scented Jerk ShadZ exuded the right natural elements to entice tough-bite smallmouth bass— and the attitude to co-sign Gussy’s $300k paycheck.

Gustafson's Bassmaster Classic winning bait, a Z-Man 4-inch Scented Jerk ShadZ, smelt pattern.

“Every fish I caught, both tournaments . . . Z-Man 4-inch Jerk ShadZ,” Gussy confirmed, clutching the Bassmaster Ray Scott Trophy. “What more can you say about this awesome bait? It’s a fish catcher. I’m always comfortable fishing with it. Was confident with it, actually, long before Z-Man even sponsored me. “There’s a lot of Jerk ShadZ style baits out there, but the Z-Man stuff is extra buoyant," he explains. "Underwater, the soft minnow just hovers in a natural horizontal position--that's a big deal,” he explains. “I caught all my fish on it last time here and I caught all my fish on it at the Classic.” Shaking his head in amazement, Gussy confesses: “If you’re fishing this place, you better get some of those baits in your boat if you want to catch smallmouths.” Among Z-Man’s remarkable lineup of ElaZtech superplastics, the Scented Jerk ShadZ exhibits erratic baitfish action and advantages unique among soft jerkbaits. Naturally buoyant, ultrasoft and unexpectedly durable, the Jerk ShadZ is juiced for incessant bass bites. Imbued with 100-precent natural ProCure Super Gel, the Bassmaster Classic winning bait is offered in three sizes (4”, 5” and 7”) and nearly 40 colors.

CanCast Fishing Show this Sunday in Peterborough, Ontario!

 

$𝟏𝟓,𝟎𝟎𝟎 𝐢𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐬!

@[100063769381708:2048:Cancast Fishing & Tackle Show] is giving away$𝟏,𝟎𝟎𝟎.𝟎𝟎 𝐢𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐬 a day in Fishing Tackle to one lucky person each day for 10 days leading up to the show to advanced ticket holders! On top of that we will give away another $𝟓𝟎𝟎𝟎.𝟎𝟎 in door prizes at the show for a Total of $𝟏𝟓,𝟎𝟎𝟎.𝟎𝟎!

This means you have over 10 chances to win some of the best fishing Tackle and Gear from our great Sponsors and Show Vendors for 10 days leading up to the show, just by holding an advanced ticket! Plus a chance at the Grand Prize at the event!

The first draw will happen on March 23rd 2023 with the last draw happening on April 1st, 2023. Make sure you stay tuned to our Facebook and Instagram pages from now until April 2nd to see if you won one of the early Door Prizes! All door prizes will be awarded by ticket confirmation number chosen at random by a third party and winners must pick up items at the April 2nd, 2023, CANACAST event in Peterborough.

Get your tickets now! www.cancast.show

Void where prohibited. You must be the age of majority to enter. Odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received during the Giveaway Entry Period. If you want to be entered for free into this door prize giveaway, please contact us to go through the process to enter. No purchase necessary to enter for door prizes leading up to the CANCAST event April 2nd. Skill testing question required at pick up.

This giveaway is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. You must send any questions, comments, or complaints regarding this giveaway to CANCAST Fishing & Tackle Show (905-809-9682 info@cancast.show), not Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.

Gussy Wins the 2023 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Toyota with 42-07lbs!

Gussy becomes first Canadian to win the Classic!

(Photo: James Overstreet/BASS)

By Brain Brasher 
BASSMASTER PRESS RELEASE

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Canadian pro Jeff “Gussy” Gustafson’s bass refused to play fair on the final day of the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Toyota on the Tennessee River.

But fortunately for him, the bulk of his work was already done.

Despite catching only two smallmouth bass that weighed 6 pounds, 12 ounces on Championship Sunday and falling three fish short of the 15 he’d been counting down toward all week, Gustafson held on to win the most treasured title in professional fishing with a three-day total of 42-7.

Gussy Wins the 2023 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Toyota!

 

Jeff "Gussy" Gustafson wins the Classic with 42-07lbs!
More to follow 

2023 Acedemy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic Day 2: Jeff Gustafson Continues to Lead with 35-11lbs!

Canadians Cory Johnston 7th, Chris Johnston 31st & Cooper Gallant 52th.

Five more to go! Is what Canadian Jeff Gustafson needs to close 
out the 2023 Classic. (Photo: James Overstreet/BASS)

By Brain Brasher 
BASSMASTER PRESS RELEASE

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Since the opening moments of the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Toyota, Jeff “Gussy” Gustafson has been counting down.

Not to a five-bass daily limit, but to the three-day limit of 15 he needs to be crowned a Classic champion. 

After Saturday, he can say, “Ten down, five to go.” 

Using the same moping technique he used to win a regular-season Bassmaster Elite Series event here on the Tennessee River in 2021 — and to take the lead in this Classic on Friday with 18 pounds, 8 ounces — Gustafson added five more smallmouth Saturday that weighed 17-3 and now holds a commanding lead with a two-day total of 35-11. 

His closest competition going into Championship Sunday will be Florida largemouth specialist John Cox, who sits almost 6 pounds back in second with 29-15. 

“I’ve just got to go out and get it done tomorrow,” said Gustafson, who has now led all six days of the two tournaments he’s fished here on Fort Loudoun and Tellico lakes. “I don’t have any good backup plans. I just need to keep doing what I’ve been doing.” 

2023 Acedemy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic Day 1: Jeff Gustafson Leads with 18-08lbs!

Canadians Cory Johnston 5th, Chris Johnston 7th & Cooper Gallant 48th

By Brain Brasher 
BASSMASTER PRESS RELEASE

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Jeff Gustafson’s motto during the opening round of the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Toyota seemed to be, “Why make it complicated?” The fifth-year Bassmaster Elite Series angler from Kenora, Ontario, Canada, took the lead Friday in the Super Bowl of Bass Fishing on the Tennessee River — and instead of starting over or trying to reinvent something, he caught his bass the same way he did when he won a regular-season Elite Series event on this same venue back in 2021.

Fishing the same canal that connects Fort Loudoun Reservoir and Tellico Lake where he parked himself during that 2021 event, the 40-year-old pro caught a five-bass limit of smallmouth that weighed 18 pounds, 8 ounces and positioned himself for a run at a spot in pro fishing history.

“There’s just something about this place,” he said. “I’m jiving with it, and it’s worked so far. The technique I’m doing is one of my favorites. It’s a technique that I feel like I’m probably pretty good at compared to the rest of the field.
“You don’t get that opportunity at most of the venues we go to, but here it works.”
During his 2021 victory, Gustafson used a tactic referred to as “moping” that involves identifying smallmouth on forward-facing sonar — he uses Humminbird MEGA Live technology — and dangling a bait just within their strike zone. He did the same thing on Friday and expanded the areas where it will work.

“There’s a lot of fish in those same spots as 2021, but they’ve just been fished so hard that they’re really hard to catch,” he said. “The bites are real nippy and they look at it and they’re lazy.

Yamamoto Announces New Yamatanuki: Heavy Gravity Bait

 

Staying true to our roots of innovative baits that absolutely catch fish,

we bring you the Yamatanuki. While this is it’s first time being available in

the US, it has been a very popular bait for the Japanese Yamamoto lineup for years.

The Yamatanuki is credited as the bait that started a trend of “heavy” soft

plastic lures that have become popular in the US in recent years with offerings

from Japanese manufacturers.

The original Yamatanuki will be available in a 3.5” size that weighs 5/8 oz.

It is made from a custom “heavy” soft plastic formula that allows it to be fished

weightless yet cast great and fall fast. This makes the Yamatanuki an incredible

option for flipping, casting and dragging, as well as casting to fish on

forward-facing sonar. The 8 colors are handpicked by our pros to give anglers

an awesome array of fish-catching options no matter what conditions they face.

The Yamatanuki is another incredible tool in your fishing catching arsenal

brought to you by the world’s most premium soft plastic brand, Yamamoto Baits.