By B.A.S.S. Communications Staff
Despite having longer to fish on Friday, Gary Clouse found fewer big bites than he did during Thursday’s fog-shortened first round. Nevertheless, the Tennessee angler sacked up a five-bass limit of 19-05 and extended his lead at the St. Johns River Bassmaster Elite Series with a two-day total of 45-01.
Clouse is making a nearly two-hour run south of Palatka, so Thursday’s fog delay, which postponed the scheduled 7 a.m. takeoff until 10:15, left him with about an hour of actual fishing time. Despite the limitation, he led the day with a limit of 25-12 – the tournament’s heaviest catch so far.
On Friday, Clouse seemed to have a hard time replicating his opening results, which he called the most amazing day of fishing he’s ever experienced.
“It was a struggle today, but I’ll take it,” Clouse said. “Yesterday, I caught everything in an hour; today it took me four hours to get what I had. I think I’m wearing my area out; I hope there are some more coming in.
“Yesterday was one of those days you dream about as a fisherman. Everything just worked. Today, I didn’t fish as well; I think I was a little amped up early. I don’t feel like I presented my baits as well, and I moved around too fast.”
Clouse is targeting small patches of reeds scattered across a super-shallow flat. Some of the bass were relating to the cover, while others positioned around the perimeter.
“I caught my first big one out away from it and I caught my second big one close to it; I think they’re just roaming around back there,” Clouse said. “I really haven’t seen any fish on a bed. I’ve seen some beds, but it’s hard to tell what’s going on because I have to stay way back and there’s so many other fish – tilapia, carp – back there.
“I can’t say that I’m bed-fishing. They’re just in there roaming around and possibly trying to bed.”
Clouse used a 1/4-ounce swim jig and a 1/4-ounce ChatterBait, both with Yamamoto Zako trailers, to cover water and find fish. He didn’t end up weighing anything on the reaction baits, but they helped him locate active areas where a Texas-rigged Zoom Magnum Ultravibe Speed Worm earned the bites.
Around 1 p.m., with a limit of approximately 15-04, Clouse switched from braided line to fluorocarbon. Within minutes, he caught a 6-02 that culled out a 1 1/2-pounder (all weights estimated per BassTrakk).
The warming trend that arrived Wednesday has prompted good numbers of big bass to move into spawning zones like the one Clouse has been fishing. However, after two days of stable weather, Saturday’s forecast for wind and rain will likely change the playing field.
That won’t necessarily kill the bite. But shallow, exposed areas like Clouse's will likely get blown out at some point. He's hoping to squeeze out another day of productivity and secure a Top-10 spot for Sunday.
“If I have to try something different, I’m in trouble,” Clouse said. “I tried for three days in practice and that’s all I have.”
Derek Hudnall in 2nd place with 38-05. Sticking with the same game plan that yielded 22-05 on day 1, he added 16-00 on day 2.
Hudnall has been targeting spawning fish tucked into gaps in shoreline cover by skipping a wacky-rigged Missile Baits 48 worm in the bruiser flash and junebug colors with 15-pound braided line facilitating precise presentations.
On day 2, after missing several big-fish opportunities, Hudnall made a key adjustment.
“I had a handful of big ones that had the bait for just a second and would just pull off immediately,” he said. “It was really hard to get that bait in their mouth, but around midday, I downsized my hook from a size 1 Gamakatsu G-Finesse Weedless Stinger Hook to a size 2.
“It’s not (significantly) smaller but can make a difference. When I made that adjustment, I started hooking up with more of those fish. They’re locked on beds right now, so they’re not eating; they’re 100-percent protecting.”
Greg Hackney is in 3rd place with 35-01. Clearly benefiting from a full fishing day, Hackney gained 13 spots by adding 22-10 to his day-1 weight of 12-7.
“Today, I just got to fish a lot slower,” Hackney said. “I just fished over those fish yesterday. I knew they were there yesterday, but I just couldn’t slow down enough to catch them because I knew I had to catch five, so I fished a little quicker.
“Today, I fished the same 300-yard stretch and it took me all day. I seined it, and I’m going to go back there tomorrow. I knew better than to leave because I’d see them every now and then.”
Hackney said his spot is a protected shoreline with a mix of wood cover and shallow vegetation – an ideal spawning scenario. He caught all of his fish by flipping a Strike King Rage Craw.
Day 2 Standings
1. Gary Clouse -- Winchester, TN -- 10, 45-01 -- 100
Day 1: 5, 25-12 -- Day 2: 5, 19-05
2. Derek Hudnall -- Denham Springs, LA -- 10, 38-05 -- 99
Day 1: 5, 22-05 -- Day 2: 5, 16-00
3. Greg Hackney -- Gonzales, LA -- 10, 35-01 -- 98
Day 1: 5, 12-07 -- Day 2: 5, 22-10
4. Matt Herren -- Ashville, AL -- 10, 33-12 -- 97
Day 1: 5, 16-09 -- Day 2: 5, 17-03
5. Mark Menendez -- Paducah, KY -- 10, 33-07 -- 96
Day 1: 5, 16-02 -- Day 2: 5, 17-05
6. Buddy Gross -- Chickamauga, GA -- 10, 33-05 -- 95
Day 1: 5, 16-05 -- Day 2: 5, 17-00
7. Cliff Prince -- Palatka, FL -- 10, 32-08 -- 94
Day 1: 5, 17-12 -- Day 2: 5, 14-12
8. Mike Huff -- Corbin, KY -- 10, 32-06 -- 93
Day 1: 5, 12-08 -- Day 2: 5, 19-14
9. Bryan New -- Belmont, NC -- 10, 32-03 -- 92
Day 1: 5, 12-00 -- Day 2: 5, 20-03
10. Patrick Walters -- Summerville, SC -- 10, 32-03 -- 91
Day 1: 5, 13-03 -- Day 2: 5, 19-00
11. Cory Johnston -- Cavan, ON -- 10, 31-15 -- 90
Day 1: 5, 17-15 -- Day 2: 5, 14-00
12. Wes Logan -- Springville, AL -- 10, 31-08 -- 89
Day 1: 5, 10-06 -- Day 2: 5, 21-02
13. Joshua Stracner -- Vandiver, AL -- 10, 31-01 -- 88
Day 1: 5, 16-02 -- Day 2: 5, 14-15
14. Bryan Schmitt -- Deale, MD -- 10, 31-00 -- 87
Day 1: 5, 15-08 -- Day 2: 5, 15-08
15. Drew Cook -- Cairo, GA -- 10, 30-01 -- 86
Day 1: 5, 11-01 -- Day 2: 5, 19-00
16. Bill Weidler -- Helena, AL -- 10, 30-00 -- 85
Day 1: 5, 14-13 -- Day 2: 5, 15-03
17. Hank Cherry Jr -- Lincolnton, NC -- 8, 29-15 -- 84
Day 1: 3, 12-14 -- Day 2: 5, 17-01
18. Caleb Kuphall -- Mukwonago, WI -- 10, 29-13 -- 83
Day 1: 5, 13-04 -- Day 2: 5, 16-09
19. Carl Jocumsen -- Queensland, AUS -- 10, 29-12 -- 82
Day 1: 5, 18-02 -- Day 2: 5, 11-10
20. Jeff Gustafson -- Keewatin, ON -- 10, 29-08 -- 81
Day 1: 5, 09-14 -- Day 2: 5, 19-10
21. Brandon Lester -- Fayetteville, TN -- 8, 29-01 -- 80
Day 1: 3, 07-05 -- Day 2: 5, 21-12
22. Gerald Swindle -- Guntersville, AL -- 10, 28-07 -- 79
Day 1: 5, 12-07 -- Day 2: 5, 16-00
23. Drew Benton -- Blakely, GA -- 10, 27-13 -- 78
Day 1: 5, 09-08 -- Day 2: 5, 18-05
24. Clent Davis -- Montevallo, AL -- 10, 27-09 -- 77
Day 1: 5, 06-04 -- Day 2: 5, 21-05
25. Justin Hamner -- Northport, AL -- 10, 27-06 -- 76
Day 1: 5, 10-08 -- Day 2: 5, 16-14
26. Brian Snowden -- Reeds Spring, MO -- 7, 26-14 -- 75
Day 1: 2, 03-06 -- Day 2: 5, 23-08
27. Keith Combs -- Huntington, TX -- 10, 26-12 -- 74
Day 1: 5, 09-08 -- Day 2: 5, 17-04
28. Seth Feider -- New Market, MN -- 10, 26-11 -- 73
Day 1: 5, 08-03 -- Day 2: 5, 18-08
29. Micah Frazier -- Newnan, GA -- 10, 26-02 -- 72
Day 1: 5, 14-00 -- Day 2: 5, 12-02
30. Bernie Schultz -- Gainesville, FL -- 8, 25-15 -- 71
Day 1: 3, 06-02 -- Day 2: 5, 19-13
31. Quentin Cappo -- Prairieville, LA -- 10, 25-11 -- 70
Day 1: 5, 08-07 -- Day 2: 5, 17-04
32. Kenta Kimura -- Osaka, JAPAN -- 8, 25-06 -- 69
Day 1: 3, 05-02 -- Day 2: 5, 20-04
33. Stetson Blaylock -- Benton, AR -- 9, 25-06 -- 68
Day 1: 4, 11-11 -- Day 2: 5, 13-11
34. KJ Queen -- Catawba, NC -- 10, 25-05 -- 67
Day 1: 5, 11-10 -- Day 2: 5, 13-11
35. Brandon Palaniuk -- Rathdrum, ID -- 9, 25-04 -- 66
Day 1: 4, 07-04 -- Day 2: 5, 18-00
36. Austin Felix -- Eden Prairie, MN -- 10, 25-03 -- 65
Day 1: 5, 12-08 -- Day 2: 5, 12-11
37. Luke Palmer -- Coalgate, OK -- 10, 24-07 -- 64
Day 1: 5, 07-08 -- Day 2: 5, 16-15
38. Rob Digh -- Denver, NC -- 10, 24-06 -- 63
Day 1: 5, 08-14 -- Day 2: 5, 15-08
39. Matt Arey -- Shelby, NC -- 10, 24-02 -- 62
Day 1: 5, 09-13 -- Day 2: 5, 14-05
40. Ed Loughran III -- Richmond, VA -- 8, 24-01 -- 61
Day 1: 3, 07-00 -- Day 2: 5, 17-01
41. Chris Johnston -- Otonabee, ON -- 10, 23-15 -- 60
Day 1: 5, 12-06 -- Day 2: 5, 11-09
42. Hunter Shryock -- Ooltewah, TN -- 10, 23-10 -- 59
Day 1: 5, 11-04 -- Day 2: 5, 12-06
43. Brandon Cobb -- Greenwood, SC -- 10, 23-10 -- 58
Day 1: 5, 11-06 -- Day 2: 5, 12-04
44. Kyle Welcher -- Opelika, AL -- 10, 23-03 -- 57
Day 1: 5, 10-07 -- Day 2: 5, 12-12
45. Brad Whatley -- Bivins, TX -- 10, 23-00 -- 56
Day 1: 5, 06-12 -- Day 2: 5, 16-04
46. Randy Pierson -- Oakdale, CA -- 9, 22-14 -- 55
Day 1: 4, 11-10 -- Day 2: 5, 11-04
47. Justin Atkins -- Florence, AL -- 8, 22-10 -- 54
Day 1: 3, 05-09 -- Day 2: 5, 17-01
48. Lee Livesay -- Longview, TX -- 10, 22-09 -- 53
Day 1: 5, 08-04 -- Day 2: 5, 14-05
49. John Cox -- Debary, FL -- 8, 22-08 -- 52
Day 1: 3, 07-01 -- Day 2: 5, 15-07
50. Darold Gleason -- Many, LA -- 10, 22-06 -- 51
Day 1: 5, 11-09 -- Day 2: 5, 10-13
The following anglers did not make the cut and will not fish on day 3.
51. Jamie Hartman -- Newport, NY -- 10, 22-01 -- 50 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 14-10 -- Day 2: 5, 07-07
52. Clifford Pirch -- Payson, AZ -- 8, 21-11 -- 49 -- $2,500
Day 1: 3, 06-05 -- Day 2: 5, 15-06
53. Robbie Latuso -- Gonzales, LA -- 7, 20-15 -- 48 -- $2,500
Day 1: 2, 03-03 -- Day 2: 5, 17-12
54. Kelley Jaye -- Dadeville, AL -- 8, 20-12 -- 47 -- $2,500
Day 1: 3, 05-01 -- Day 2: 5, 15-11
55. Clark Wendlandt -- Leander, TX -- 10, 20-06 -- 46 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 10-11 -- Day 2: 5, 09-11
56. Shane LeHew -- Catawba, NC -- 9, 20-04 -- 45 -- $2,500
Day 1: 4, 06-10 -- Day 2: 5, 13-10
57. Bill Lowen -- Brookville, IN -- 9, 20-01 -- 44 -- $2,500
Day 1: 4, 06-01 -- Day 2: 5, 14-00
58. Chad Pipkens -- Dewitt, MI -- 10, 19-11 -- 43 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 08-11 -- Day 2: 5, 11-00
59. Tyler Rivet -- Raceland, LA -- 10, 19-09 -- 42 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 11-06 -- Day 2: 5, 08-03
59. Matt Robertson -- Kuttawa, KY -- 10, 19-09 -- 42 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 08-03 -- Day 2: 5, 11-06
61. John Crews Jr -- Salem, VA -- 8, 19-08 -- 40 -- $2,500
Day 1: 3, 11-10 -- Day 2: 5, 07-14
62. Tyler Carriere -- Youngsville, LA -- 10, 19-08 -- 39 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 09-08 -- Day 2: 5, 10-00
63. Jason Christie -- Park Hill, OK -- 9, 19-06 -- 38 -- $2,500
Day 1: 4, 06-04 -- Day 2: 5, 13-02
64. Paul Mueller -- Naugatuck, CT -- 10, 19-06 -- 37 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 08-14 -- Day 2: 5, 10-08
65. Koby Kreiger -- Alva, FL -- 8, 19-04 -- 36 -- $2,500
Day 1: 3, 08-14 -- Day 2: 5, 10-06
66. Shane Lineberger -- Lincolnton, NC -- 8, 18-12 -- 35 -- $2,500
Day 1: 4, 06-00 -- Day 2: 4, 12-12
67. Pat Schlapper -- Eleva, WI -- 7, 18-11 -- 34 -- $2,500
Day 1: 2, 03-04 -- Day 2: 5, 15-07
68. Kyle Monti -- Okeechobee, FL -- 10, 18-10 -- 33 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 08-09 -- Day 2: 5, 10-01
69. Frank Talley -- Temple, TX -- 10, 18-00 -- 32 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 11-13 -- Day 2: 5, 06-03
70. Chad Morgenthaler -- Reeds Spring, MO -- 10, 17-13 -- 31 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 06-15 -- Day 2: 5, 10-14
71. Jason Williamson -- Wagener, SC -- 9, 17-04 -- 30 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 11-05 -- Day 2: 4, 05-15
72. Gregory DiPalma -- Millville, NJ -- 8, 16-06 -- 29 -- $2,500
Day 1: 3, 10-04 -- Day 2: 5, 06-02
73. Scott Martin -- Clewiston, FL -- 8, 15-14 -- 28 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 08-07 -- Day 2: 3, 07-07
74. Taku Ito -- Chiba, JAPAN -- 8, 15-09 -- 27 -- $2,500
Day 1: 3, 05-08 -- Day 2: 5, 10-01
75. Scott Canterbury -- Odenville, AL -- 8, 15-08 -- 26 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 11-10 -- Day 2: 3, 03-14
76. Brandon Card -- Salisbury, NC -- 7, 15-05 -- 25
Day 1: 3, 06-14 -- Day 2: 4, 08-07
77. Marc Frazier -- Newnan, GA -- 10, 15-04 -- 24
Day 1: 5, 07-01 -- Day 2: 5, 08-03
78. Steve Kennedy -- Auburn, AL -- 6, 15-03 -- 23
Day 1: 1, 02-01 -- Day 2: 5, 13-02
79. Chris Zaldain -- Fort Worth, TX -- 6, 14-06 -- 22
Day 1: 1, 01-02 -- Day 2: 5, 13-04
80. David Mullins -- Mt Carmel, TN -- 5, 14-02 -- 21
Day 1: 0, 00-00 -- Day 2: 5, 14-02
81. Chris Groh -- Spring Grove, IL -- 7, 13-09 -- 20
Day 1: 3, 05-09 -- Day 2: 4, 08-00
82. Skylar Hamilton -- Dandridge, TN -- 8, 13-08 -- 19
Day 1: 3, 04-05 -- Day 2: 5, 09-03
83. Caleb Sumrall -- New Iberia, LA -- 8, 13-06 -- 18
Day 1: 3, 05-05 -- Day 2: 5, 08-01
84. Yusuke Miyazaki -- Forney, TX -- 6, 13-00 -- 17
Day 1: 1, 02-02 -- Day 2: 5, 10-14
85. Jay Yelas -- Lincoln City, OR -- 5, 13-00 -- 16
Day 1: 4, 09-15 -- Day 2: 1, 03-01
86. Randy Sullivan -- Breckenridge, TX -- 6, 12-13 -- 15
Day 1: 2, 04-00 -- Day 2: 4, 08-13
87. Bob Downey -- Hudson, WI -- 8, 12-11 -- 14
Day 1: 5, 08-05 -- Day 2: 3, 04-06
88. Rick Morris -- Lake Gaston, VA -- 7, 12-09 -- 13
Day 1: 2, 04-01 -- Day 2: 5, 08-08
89. Brock Mosley -- Collinsville, MS -- 7, 11-07 -- 12
Day 1: 2, 03-01 -- Day 2: 5, 08-06
90. Ray Hanselman Jr -- Del Rio, TX -- 6, 10-01 -- 11
Day 1: 1, 02-11 -- Day 2: 5, 07-06
91. Jake Whitaker -- Fairview, NC -- 4, 09-00 -- 10
Day 1: 1, 01-01 -- Day 2: 3, 07-15
92. Destin DeMarion -- Grove City, PA -- 4, 07-09 -- 9
Day 1: 0, 00-00 -- Day 2: 4, 07-09
93. Garrett Paquette -- Canton, MI -- 4, 07-01 -- 8
Day 1: 1, 03-00 -- Day 2: 3, 04-01
94. Todd Auten -- Lake Wylie, SC -- 2, 05-10 -- 7
Day 1: 1, 02-10 -- Day 2: 1, 03-00
95. Cody Hollen -- Beaverton, OR -- 4, 05-09 -- 6
Day 1: 3, 04-02 -- Day 2: 1, 01-07
96. Dale Hightower -- Mannford, OK -- 3, 05-07 -- 5
Day 1: 0, 00-00 -- Day 2: 3, 05-07
97. Harvey Horne -- Bella Vista, AR -- 3, 05-05 -- 4
Day 1: 1, 00-15 -- Day 2: 2, 04-06
98. Brett Preuett -- Monroe, LA -- 2, 02-15 -- 3
Day 1: 2, 02-15 -- Day 2: 0, 00-00
99. Rick Clunn -- Ava, MO -- 0, 00-00 -- 0
Day 1: 0, 00-00 -- Day 2: 0, 00-00
