By B.A.S.S. Communications Staff
A fast start plus two afternoon upgrades yielded a five-bass limit of 27-10 for Caleb Kuphall of Mukwonago, Wis., who leads Day 1 of the Lake Guntersville Bassmaster Elite Series. He'll start Day 2 with a 6-07 advantage over veteran South Carolina pro Todd Auten.
According to BassTrakk’s unofficial standings, Kuphall had secured a limit of approximately 19-04 by 6:58 a.m. Registering his first keeper – a 2-12 specimen – 24 minutes after the 5:30 takeoff, Kuphall quickly added four more keepers, including two over 5 pounds.
About 30 minutes after securing the day’s first limit, Kuphall upgraded to 21-12. Several hours passed without further improvement, but shortly past noon, he added a 4-08 and followed with a 5-08 just before 1 p.m.
Noting that he fished two different areas, Kuphall described his primary spot as a classic post-spawn staging area. Located in a large spawning cove, the area he targeted provided a natural stopping point for bass on their way out toward summer habitat.
“It was a point with a big mat of milfoil going out to the main lake,” he said. “I got back-to-back bites – in the morning, I caught a 6- and a 5 1/2-pounder on the very next cast.
“I kind of had two things going today, and the first one was a super-shallow deal. I caught two of my weigh-in fish in about 3 feet of water and the rest of them came in about 6 feet.”
Kuphall kept his bait details guarded, but he noted that a bottom-oriented presentation tempted all of his bites. He used multiple colors, but he said the appearance is less important than the presentation.
“It’s a reaction bite; a fast-fall kind of deal,” he said.
Kuphall said he ended up having to fish his area out, as a fellow competitor was showing interest. He’s hopeful that a few quality fish remain, so he’ll explore it again on Day 2.
“I hit it pretty hard; I don’t think there’s much left there,” he said. “I’m going to give it a go tomorrow and hopefully get a few bites off of it.
“It’s not something that’s going to hold up for multiple days. It’s pretty much a one-and-done deal.”
In 2nd place, Auten sacked up a limit that weighed 21-03. His morning also started quickly, but it took a few hours for him to dial in the quality bites.
“About 9:30, I had one fish – a 7-pounder – but I pulled into a little place and caught a couple of good ones, messed around and caught another good one,” Auten said. “That was about it on the big fish and then I caught a couple more 2-pounders.
“I struggled, really. I just got lucky and got a couple of good bites. It might be the area. I’ll have to go back in there tomorrow and see.”
Auten described his most productive area as a wind-blown point where pre-spawn and post-spawn fish were staging. A crankbait and spinnerbait produced all of his weight, with the 7-pounder biting the latter.
Brandon Palaniuk of Rathdrum, Idaho, is in 3rd with 20-12. One week after winning the Northern Open at the James River, Palaniuk took a mobile approach to tracking down Guntersville’s transitioning bass.
Having gone through about 35 baits Thursday, Palaniuk said he caught all of his weight on two reaction baits. One of them was a Storm Arashi Glide Bait in the black silver shad color.
“I saw a piece of cover and said, ‘I have to stop and throw a glide on that,’” he said. “I caught a 3-pounder and one that was about 5 1/2.
“I was just trying to cover water. I feel like these fish are moving so much, you have to stay on top of them.”
Caleb Sumrall of New Iberia, La., is in the lead for Phoenix Boats Big Bass honors with his 7-06.
Friday’s takeoff is scheduled for 5:30 a.m. CT from Goose Pond Landing. The weigh-in will be held at Goose Pond at 2 p.m. Only the Top 48 anglers will advance after Friday’s weigh-in to fish the semifinal round on Saturday.
Day 1 Standings
1. Caleb Kuphall -- Mukwonago, WI -- 5, 27-10 -- 100
Day 1: 5, 27-10
2. Todd Auten -- Lake Wylie, SC -- 5, 21-03 -- 99
Day 1: 5, 21-03
3. Brandon Palaniuk -- Rathdrum, ID -- 5, 20-12 -- 98
Day 1: 5, 20-12
4. Steve Kennedy -- Auburn, AL -- 5, 19-05 -- 97
Day 1: 5, 19-05
5. Chris Johnston -- Otonabee, ON -- 5, 19-01 -- 96
Day 1: 5, 19-01
6. Jason Christie -- Park Hill, OK -- 5, 18-12 -- 95
Day 1: 5, 18-12
7. Brett Preuett -- Monroe, LA -- 5, 18-06 -- 94
Day 1: 5, 18-06
8. Luke Palmer -- Coalgate, OK -- 5, 17-12 -- 93
Day 1: 5, 17-12
9. Lee Livesay -- Longview, TX -- 5, 17-10 -- 92
Day 1: 5, 17-10
10. Cory Johnston -- Cavan, ON -- 5, 17-06 -- 91
Day 1: 5, 17-06
11. Patrick Walters -- Summerville, SC -- 5, 17-00 -- 90
Day 1: 5, 17-00
12. Marc Frazier -- Newnan, GA -- 5, 16-14 -- 89
Day 1: 5, 16-14
13. KJ Queen -- Catawba, NC -- 5, 16-13 -- 88
Day 1: 5, 16-13
14. Stetson Blaylock -- Benton, AR -- 5, 16-12 -- 87
Day 1: 5, 16-12
15. Derek Hudnall -- Denham Springs, LA -- 5, 16-05 -- 86
Day 1: 5, 16-05
16. Drew Benton -- Blakely, GA -- 5, 16-02 -- 85
Day 1: 5, 16-02
16. Greg Hackney -- Gonzales, LA -- 5, 16-02 -- 85
Day 1: 5, 16-02
16. Shane LeHew -- Catawba, NC -- 5, 16-02 -- 85
Day 1: 5, 16-02
16. Pat Schlapper -- Eleva, WI -- 5, 16-02 -- 85
Day 1: 5, 16-02
20. Kyle Welcher -- Opelika, AL -- 5, 16-00 -- 81
Day 1: 5, 16-00
20. Jake Whitaker -- Fairview, NC -- 5, 16-00 -- 81
Day 1: 5, 16-00
22. Gregory DiPalma -- Millville, NJ -- 5, 15-15 -- 79
Day 1: 5, 15-15
22. Hunter Shryock -- Ooltewah, TN -- 5, 15-15 -- 79
Day 1: 5, 15-15
24. Seth Feider -- New Market, MN -- 5, 15-12 -- 77
Day 1: 5, 15-12
25. Shane Lineberger -- Lincolnton, NC -- 5, 15-10 -- 76
Day 1: 5, 15-10
26. Austin Felix -- Eden Prairie, MN -- 5, 15-07 -- 75
Day 1: 5, 15-07
26. Matt Herren -- Ashville, AL -- 5, 15-07 -- 75
Day 1: 5, 15-07
28. David Mullins -- Mt Carmel, TN -- 5, 15-06 -- 73
Day 1: 5, 15-06
29. Matt Arey -- Shelby, NC -- 5, 15-04 -- 72
Day 1: 5, 15-04
30. Bryan Schmitt -- Deale, MD -- 5, 15-03 -- 71
Day 1: 5, 15-03
31. Skylar Hamilton -- Dandridge, TN -- 5, 14-15 -- 70
Day 1: 5, 14-15
31. Bryan New -- Belmont, NC -- 5, 14-15 -- 70
Day 1: 5, 14-15
33. Bob Downey -- Hudson, WI -- 5, 14-13 -- 68
Day 1: 5, 14-13
34. John Cox -- Debary, FL -- 5, 14-10 -- 67
Day 1: 5, 14-10
34. Matt Robertson -- Kuttawa, KY -- 5, 14-10 -- 67
Day 1: 5, 14-10
36. Yusuke Miyazaki -- Forney, TX -- 5, 14-09 -- 65
Day 1: 5, 14-09
37. Scott Canterbury -- Odenville, AL -- 5, 14-05 -- 64
Day 1: 5, 14-05
37. Buddy Gross -- Chickamauga, GA -- 5, 14-05 -- 64
Day 1: 5, 14-05
37. Randy Pierson -- Oakdale, CA -- 5, 14-05 -- 64
Day 1: 5, 14-05
40. Carl Jocumsen -- Queensland, AUS -- 5, 14-04 -- 61
Day 1: 5, 14-04
41. Caleb Sumrall -- New Iberia, LA -- 4, 14-04 -- 60 -- $1,000.00
Day 1: 4, 14-04
42. Jay Yelas -- Lincoln City, OR -- 5, 14-02 -- 59
Day 1: 5, 14-02
43. Wes Logan -- Springville, AL -- 5, 14-01 -- 58
Day 1: 5, 14-01
43. Chad Morgenthaler -- Reeds Spring, MO -- 5, 14-01 -- 58
Day 1: 5, 14-01
45. Mark Menendez -- Paducah, KY -- 5, 14-00 -- 56
Day 1: 5, 14-00
46. Brandon Cobb -- Greenwood, SC -- 5, 13-15 -- 55
Day 1: 5, 13-15
47. Drew Cook -- Cairo, GA -- 5, 13-15 -- 54
Day 1: 5, 13-15
48. Ray Hanselman Jr -- Del Rio, TX -- 5, 13-14 -- 53
Day 1: 5, 13-14
49. Garrett Paquette -- Canton, MI -- 5, 13-12 -- 52
Day 1: 5, 13-12
50. Taku Ito -- Chiba, JAPAN -- 5, 13-11 -- 51
Day 1: 5, 13-11
51. Brandon Lester -- Fayetteville, TN -- 5, 13-07 -- 50
Day 1: 5, 13-07
51. Bill Lowen -- Brookville, IN -- 5, 13-07 -- 50
Day 1: 5, 13-07
53. Hank Cherry Jr -- Lincolnton, NC -- 5, 13-06 -- 48
Day 1: 5, 13-06
54. Harvey Horne -- Bella Vista, AR -- 5, 13-05 -- 47
Day 1: 5, 13-05
55. Clifford Pirch -- Payson, AZ -- 5, 13-03 -- 46
Day 1: 5, 13-03
56. Jamie Hartman -- Newport, NY -- 5, 13-01 -- 45
Day 1: 5, 13-01
57. John Crews Jr -- Salem, VA -- 5, 12-15 -- 44
Day 1: 5, 12-15
57. Kelley Jaye -- Dadeville, AL -- 5, 12-15 -- 44
Day 1: 5, 12-15
57. Joshua Stracner -- Vandiver, AL -- 5, 12-15 -- 44
Day 1: 5, 12-15
60. Mike Huff -- Corbin, KY -- 5, 12-14 -- 41
Day 1: 5, 12-14
60. Bill Weidler -- Helena, AL -- 5, 12-14 -- 41
Day 1: 5, 12-14
62. Jason Williamson -- Wagener, SC -- 5, 12-09 -- 39
Day 1: 5, 12-09
63. Gerald Swindle -- Guntersville, AL -- 5, 12-08 -- 38
Day 1: 5, 12-08
64. Koby Kreiger -- Alva, FL -- 5, 12-06 -- 37
Day 1: 5, 12-06
65. Frank Talley -- Temple, TX -- 5, 12-05 -- 36
Day 1: 5, 12-05
66. Destin DeMarion -- Grove City, PA -- 5, 12-03 -- 35
Day 1: 5, 12-03
67. Darold Gleason -- Many, LA -- 5, 12-02 -- 34
Day 1: 5, 12-02
67. Brian Snowden -- Reeds Spring, MO -- 5, 12-02 -- 34
Day 1: 5, 12-02
69. Tyler Rivet -- Raceland, LA -- 5, 11-14 -- 32
Day 1: 5, 11-14
69. Clark Wendlandt -- Leander, TX -- 5, 11-14 -- 32
Day 1: 5, 11-14
71. Jeff Gustafson -- Keewatin, ON -- 5, 11-12 -- 30
Day 1: 5, 11-12
72. Rick Clunn -- Ava, MO -- 5, 11-08 -- 29
Day 1: 5, 11-08
72. Cody Hollen -- Beaverton, OR -- 5, 11-08 -- 29
Day 1: 5, 11-08
72. Brad Whatley -- Bivins, TX -- 5, 11-08 -- 29
Day 1: 5, 11-08
75. Randy Sullivan -- Breckenridge, TX -- 5, 11-08 -- 26
Day 1: 5, 11-08
76. Robbie Latuso -- Gonzales, LA -- 5, 11-02 -- 25
Day 1: 5, 11-02
77. Justin Atkins -- Florence, AL -- 5, 11-01 -- 24
Day 1: 5, 11-01
78. Dale Hightower -- Mannford, OK -- 5, 10-12 -- 23
Day 1: 5, 10-12
79. Chad Pipkens -- Dewitt, MI -- 5, 10-12 -- 22
Day 1: 5, 10-12
80. Scott Martin -- Clewiston, FL -- 5, 10-09 -- 21
Day 1: 5, 10-09
81. Keith Combs -- Huntington, TX -- 5, 10-09 -- 20
Day 1: 5, 10-09
82. Justin Hamner -- Northport, AL -- 5, 10-06 -- 19
Day 1: 5, 10-06
83. Brock Mosley -- Collinsville, MS -- 5, 10-04 -- 18
Day 1: 5, 10-04
83. Chris Zaldain -- Fort Worth, TX -- 5, 10-04 -- 18
Day 1: 5, 10-04
85. Clent Davis -- Montevallo, AL -- 4, 10-03 -- 16
Day 1: 4, 10-03
86. Chris Groh -- Spring Grove, IL -- 5, 10-00 -- 15
Day 1: 5, 10-00
87. Kenta Kimura -- Osaka, JAPAN -- 5, 09-09 -- 14
Day 1: 5, 09-09
88. Ed Loughran III -- Richmond, VA -- 4, 08-08 -- 13
Day 1: 4, 08-08
89. Quentin Cappo -- Prairieville, LA -- 4, 08-06 -- 12
Day 1: 4, 08-06
90. Rob Digh -- Denver, NC -- 3, 08-00 -- 11
Day 1: 3, 08-00
91. David Fritts -- Lexington, NC -- 4, 07-15 -- 10
Day 1: 4, 07-15
92. Micah Frazier -- Newnan, GA -- 4, 07-13 -- 9
Day 1: 4, 07-13
93. Cliff Prince -- Palatka, FL -- 4, 07-12 -- 8
Day 1: 4, 07-12
94. Brandon Card -- Salisbury, NC -- 3, 07-03 -- 7
Day 1: 3, 07-03
95. Paul Mueller -- Naugatuck, CT -- 3, 07-01 -- 6
Day 1: 3, 07-01
96. Kyle Monti -- Okeechobee, FL -- 2, 06-07 -- 5
Day 1: 2, 06-07
97. Bernie Schultz -- Gainesville, FL -- 3, 05-13 -- 4
Day 1: 3, 05-13
98. Rick Morris -- Lake Gaston, VA -- 2, 03-15 -- 3
Day 1: 2, 03-15
