Palaniuk Sets Pace With Smallie-Dominated Sack

By BassFan Staff

Hit or miss. Boom or bust. Strikeout or home run. Knockout or knocked out.

All of those well-worn labels apply to the still-very-young pro fishing career of Brandon Palaniuk. He's anything but consistent, but when he's good, he's a hard man to beat.

The 25-year-old Idahoan had a great day on Thursday as he caught an 18-04 stringer to grab the early lead at the Mississippi River Bassmaster Elite Series out of La Crosse, Wis. His sack, which contained four smallmouths (a species that was pretty much a non-factor in last year's event at this venue), was 2 1/4 pounds heavier than any other in the 99-angler field.

Kevin Hawk is another competitor who was in dire need of a good day (he and Palaniuk are 90th and 89th, respectively, in the Toyota Tundra B.A.S.S. Angler of the Year race), and he had one, too. He locked up to Pool 7 and caught 16-00 to claim the No. 2 slot.

Steady John Crews was 3rd after sacking 15-07. Cliff Pirch, like Hawk a former FLW Tour pro who's fishing his initial Elite Series season, was 4th with 14-11.

Brandon Card, last year's Rookie of the Year who's seen a promising season go sour with finishes in the 90s in the two previous events, rounded out the Top 5 with 14-09.

Here's a look at the early Top 12, with deficit margins from the leader indicated by red numbers in parentheses:

1. Brandon Palaniuk: 18-04
2. Kevin Hawk: 16-00 (2-04)
3. John Crews: 15-07 (2-13)
4. Cliff Pirch: 14-11 (3-09)
5. Brandon Card: 14-09 (3-11)
6. (tie) Todd Faircloth: 14-05 (3-15)
6. (tie) Bobby Lane: 14-05 (3-15)
6. (tie) Casey Scanlon: 14-05 (3-15)
9. (tie) Aaron Martens: 14-04 (3-16)
9. (tie) Skeet Reese: 14-04 (3-16)
9. (tie) Fred Roumbanis: 14-04 (3-16)
12. Takahiro Omori: 14-03 (3-17)

Conditions on the Mississippi are much different than they were a year ago: the water is clearer and colder and there's much less vegetation. The main channel is playing a bigger role this time and smallmouth are now a viable option, as Palaniuk proved.

Despite the changes, it appears as if the weights will follow a similar progression to 2012. Palaniuk's bag equaled the biggest caught last year (by Jamie Horton) and the day-2 money cut looks like it'll again settle in the 25-pound range.

Keeper bites appear to be a bit tougher to get this year, as 15 anglers failed to bring a limit to the scale. That was five times the number of short sacks from last year's opening day.

Thunderstorms (scattered and isolated) are in the forecast from the remainder of the event. The air temperature is predicted to max out at 83 degrees on day 2 with a southerly wind reaching 12 mph.

The field will be reduced to the Top 50 after Friday's weigh-in, with only the Top 12 advancing to the final day. The winner will be determined by highest cumulative weight.

Palaniuk Caught Clones

> Day 1: 5, 18-04

Palaniuk's year began with a great deal of promise as he was the runner-up to Cliff Pace at the Bassmaster Classic. He's finished 79th or lower, however, in four of the five regular-season Elite derbies thus far and his only hope of competing in the 2014 Classic at Guntersville is to win one of the remaining three events (or a Bassmaster Open).

He's off to a rousing start in that quest, but he says he didn't see it coming.

"I did not have a good practice," he said. " I don't think I even caught a limit on any of the 3 days. I did catch some quality, though, so I felt like I had a chance if I could get enough bites. I knew at least some of them would be good ones."

He fished Pool 8 (the launch pool) and had no issues with company. The five fish he weighed were of similar size – in the 3 1/2- to 4 1/4-pound range.

"My stuff sets up to possibly replenish, but it's not necessarily a spot – it's more of a pattern I'm fishing. I probably fished 20 places and they're a little spread out, like maybe over 5 miles."

He declined to offer up any specifics of his pattern at this point.

"I think I'd better keep that under wraps for now."

2nd: Hawk Surprised

> Day 1: 5, 16-00

Hawk locked upstream to Pool 7 and had a better day than he realistically could've expected.

"I was surprised," he said. "I practiced in both Pool 7 and Pool 8. I didn't get as many bites in 7, but the quality seemed better.

"With the way the year's gone, I decided I had to go for the bigger bites. I only caught six keepers, but luckily five were the right ones."

He caught a 4-pound smallmouth after locking back down to go with four solid largemouths from Pool 7.

"I can say that I'm throwing a winding bait, but it's a real methodical thing. I'm putting the Power-Poles down, picking them up, moving 20 feet and putting them back down. I'm just saturating casts in certain areas."

He's unsure whether he'll lock again on day 2.

"I don't know if I can get five bites up there again because I don't know if they'll replenish. I don't think there's a lot of fish up there to begin with."

3rd: Big One Boosts Crews

> Day 1: 5, 15-07

John Crews bag was headed up by a 4-10 bruiser that was the big fish of the day.

"My practice was fair and I thought I'd be able to catch some," he said. "I got a little fortunate catching that big one, but even if I didn't get that bite I still would've had 14-something, so that wasn't too bad.

"Hopefully I can get a couple that are 3-plus tomorrow. Those make all the difference here."

He weighed all largemouths – he caught a 2-pound smallmouth, but ended up culling it. He spent time in four different areas and had all of his weight by noon.

"I did lose a couple early, and that hurt me. I made a little adjustment, though, and I never lost another fish, so that ended up being a good deal."

4th: Pirch had Plenty

> Day 1: 5, 14-11

Pirch said his action was steady throughout the day.

"I saw some nice fish in practice, but I didn't think I'd catch as many as I did," he said. "It seemed like the bite was better, and it was the same for everyone (in his general vicinity). I couldn't believe how many solid bags came out of there."

He stayed in Pool 8 and caught all largemouths. The biggest was a 3-12 that he described as "long and skinny."

"I didn't lose anything, but I did have some fish that just kind of missed the bait. When you never really hook them, there's not much you can do."

He'll go out with the same game plan on day 2.

"From what I saw with the weights today and with how many fish were caught, I think there's more there than I was giving it credit for. You can always get fooled, but I'm looking forward to it. I still feel good about it."

98th: Reed Baffled

> Day 1: 3, 4-12

Matt Reed came in having made every 50-cut this season (he's 19th in the points). He'll have to do some serious work on day 2 to keep that streak alive.

"I had a very mediocre practice, but on the last day I thought I got on a little deal that would be okay," he said. "There were four or five other boats around when I got there, and everybody caught 13 or 14 pounds except for me and Terry Scroggins (who's in 99th).

"I probably caught a dozen fish, but a lot of them were non-keepers whereas in practice they were 2 1/2- to 3-pounders. It was one of those days you just look back at and wonder why you didn't catch them."

He'll likely go back to the same stuff on day 2.

"There isn't anywhere to go here to catch 20 pounds and get back in it, and if I move I'll just get in somebody else's way. I might as well go try it again and see if I can get a few (AOY) points back, anyway."

Notable

> Day 1 stats – 99 anglers, 84 limits, 7 fours, 7 threes, 1 two.

> Clark Reehm is not fishing this event and said that he'll likely miss the two August tournaments as well due to a personal situation that he declined to divulge at this time. He said the issue is not financial in nature, nor does it pertain to anything with B.A.S.S.

Weather Forecast

> Fri., June 21 – Scattered T-Storms - 83°/72°
- Wind: From the S at 12 mph

> Sat., June 22 – Isolated T-Storms - 90°/73°
- Wind: From the S at 14 mph

> Sun., June 23 – Scattered T-Storms - 87°/71°
- Wind: From the S at 14 mph

Day 1 Standings

1. Brandon Palaniuk -- Rathdrum, ID -- 5, 18-04 -- 99
Day 1: 5, 18-04

2. Kevin Hawk -- Guntersville, AL -- 5, 16-00 -- 98
Day 1: 5, 16-00

3. John Crews -- Salem, VA -- 5, 15-07 -- 97
Day 1: 5, 15-07

4. Clifford Pirch -- Payson, AZ -- 5, 14-11 -- 96
Day 1: 5, 14-11

5. Brandon Card -- Caryville, TN -- 5, 14-09 -- 95
Day 1: 5, 14-09

6. Todd Faircloth -- Jasper, TX -- 5, 14-05 -- 94
Day 1: 5, 14-05

6. Bobby Lane -- Lakeland, FL -- 5, 14-05 -- 94
Day 1: 5, 14-05

6. Casey Scanlon -- Lenexa, KS -- 5, 14-05 -- 94
Day 1: 5, 14-05

9. Aaron Martens -- Leeds, AL -- 5, 14-04 -- 91
Day 1: 5, 14-04

9. Skeet Reese -- Auburn, CA -- 5, 14-04 -- 91
Day 1: 5, 14-04

9. Fred Roumbanis -- Bixby, OK -- 5, 14-04 -- 91
Day 1: 5, 14-04

12. Takahiro Omori -- Emory, TX -- 5, 14-03 -- 88
Day 1: 5, 14-03

13. Paul Elias -- Laurel, MS -- 5, 14-01 -- 87
Day 1: 5, 14-01

14. Tommy Biffle -- Wagoner, OK -- 5, 14-00 -- 86
Day 1: 5, 14-00

14. Matt Herren -- Trussville, AL -- 5, 14-00 -- 86
Day 1: 5, 14-00

16. Randy Howell -- Springville, AL -- 5, 13-14 -- 84
Day 1: 5, 13-14

17. Cliff Crochet -- Pierre Part, LA -- 5, 13-12 -- 83
Day 1: 5, 13-12

17. J Todd Tucker -- Moultrie, GA -- 5, 13-12 -- 83
Day 1: 5, 13-12

19. Ott DeFoe -- Knoxville, TN -- 5, 13-10 -- 81
Day 1: 5, 13-10

20. Michael Simonton -- Fremont, OH -- 5, 13-09 -- 80
Day 1: 5, 13-09

21. Chris Lane -- Guntersville, AL -- 5, 13-07 -- 79
Day 1: 5, 13-07

21. Marty Robinson -- Lyman, SC -- 5, 13-07 -- 79
Day 1: 5, 13-07

23. Billy McCaghren -- Mayflower, AR -- 5, 13-06 -- 77
Day 1: 5, 13-06

23. Kevin VanDam -- Kalamazoo, MI -- 5, 13-06 -- 77
Day 1: 5, 13-06

23. Greg Vinson -- Wetumpka, AL -- 5, 13-06 -- 77
Day 1: 5, 13-06

26. Edwin Evers -- Talala, OK -- 5, 13-05 -- 74
Day 1: 5, 13-05

26. Yusuke Miyazaki -- Forney, TX -- 5, 13-05 -- 74
Day 1: 5, 13-05

28. Bradley Roy -- Lancaster, KY -- 5, 13-04 -- 72
Day 1: 5, 13-04

29. Rick Clunn -- Ava, MO -- 5, 13-03 -- 71
Day 1: 5, 13-03

30. Josh Bertrand -- Gilbert, AZ -- 5, 13-01 -- 70
Day 1: 5, 13-01

31. Keith Combs -- Huntington, TX -- 5, 12-15 -- 69
Day 1: 5, 12-15

31. Alton Jones -- Lorena, TX -- 5, 12-15 -- 69
Day 1: 5, 12-15

33. Dean Rojas -- Lake Havasu City, AZ -- 5, 12-14 -- 67
Day 1: 5, 12-14

34. Shaw E Grigsby Jr. -- Gainesville, FL -- 5, 12-13 -- 66
Day 1: 5, 12-13

35. Grant Goldbeck -- Boerne, TX -- 5, 12-12 -- 65
Day 1: 5, 12-12

36. Jamie Horton -- Centerville, AL -- 5, 12-10 -- 64
Day 1: 5, 12-10

37. Steve Kennedy -- Auburn, AL -- 5, 12-09 -- 63
Day 1: 5, 12-09

37. James Niggemeyer -- Van, TX -- 5, 12-09 -- 63
Day 1: 5, 12-09

39. James Elam -- Tulsa, OK -- 5, 12-08 -- 61
Day 1: 5, 12-08

39. David Walker -- Sevierville, TN -- 5, 12-08 -- 61
Day 1: 5, 12-08

41. Jason Christie -- Park Hill, OK -- 5, 12-07 -- 59
Day 1: 5, 12-07

41. Matt Greenblatt -- Port St Lucie, FL -- 5, 12-07 -- 59
Day 1: 5, 12-07

41. Cliff Pace -- Petal, MS -- 5, 12-07 -- 59
Day 1: 5, 12-07

44. Casey D Ashley -- Donalds, SC -- 5, 12-06 -- 56
Day 1: 5, 12-06

45. Michael Iaconelli -- Pitts Grove, NJ -- 5, 12-05 -- 55
Day 1: 5, 12-05

46. Davy Hite -- Ninety Six, SC -- 5, 12-04 -- 54
Day 1: 5, 12-04

46. Kevin Short -- Mayflower, AR -- 5, 12-04 -- 54
Day 1: 5, 12-04

46. Dennis Tietje -- Roanoke, LA -- 5, 12-04 -- 54
Day 1: 5, 12-04

46. Nate Wellman -- Newaygo, MI -- 5, 12-04 -- 54
Day 1: 5, 12-04

50. Ish Monroe -- Hughson, CA -- 5, 12-02 -- 50
Day 1: 5, 12-02

50. Rick Morris -- Lake Gaston, VA -- 5, 12-02 -- 50
Day 1: 5, 12-02

52. Timmy Horton -- Muscle Shoals, AL -- 5, 12-01 -- 48
Day 1: 5, 12-01

52. Jason Quinn -- Rock Hill, SC -- 5, 12-01 -- 48
Day 1: 5, 12-01

54. Mark Davis -- Mount Ida, AR -- 5, 12-00 -- 46
Day 1: 5, 12-00

54. Jeremy Starks -- Scott Depot, WV -- 5, 12-00 -- 46
Day 1: 5, 12-00

56. Bill Lowen -- Brookville, IN -- 5, 11-14 -- 44
Day 1: 5, 11-14

56. John Murray -- Phoenix, AZ -- 5, 11-14 -- 44
Day 1: 5, 11-14

56. Chris Zaldain -- San Jose, CA -- 5, 11-14 -- 44
Day 1: 5, 11-14

59. Brent Chapman -- Lake Quivira, KS -- 5, 11-10 -- 41
Day 1: 5, 11-10

60. Boyd Duckett -- Demopolis, AL -- 5, 11-08 -- 40
Day 1: 5, 11-08

60. Britt Myers -- Lake Wylie, SC -- 5, 11-08 -- 40
Day 1: 5, 11-08

60. Keith Poche -- Pike Road, AL -- 5, 11-08 -- 40
Day 1: 5, 11-08

63. David Smith -- Del City, OK -- 5, 11-07 -- 37
Day 1: 5, 11-07

64. Pete Ponds -- Madison, MS -- 5, 11-05 -- 36
Day 1: 5, 11-05

64. Fletcher Shryock -- New Philadelphia, OH -- 5, 11-05 -- 36
Day 1: 5, 11-05

66. Stephen Browning -- Hot Springs, AR -- 4, 11-05 -- 34
Day 1: 4, 11-05

67. Gary Klein -- Weatherford, TX -- 5, 11-04 -- 33
Day 1: 5, 11-04

68. Chip Porche -- Bixby, OK -- 5, 11-03 -- 32
Day 1: 5, 11-03

69. Jami Fralick -- Martin, SD -- 5, 10-15 -- 31
Day 1: 5, 10-15

70. Bernie Schultz -- Gainesville, FL -- 5, 10-14 -- 30
Day 1: 5, 10-14

71. Scott Rook -- Little Rock, AR -- 5, 10-12 -- 29
Day 1: 5, 10-12

72. Zell Rowland -- Montgomery, TX -- 5, 10-09 -- 28
Day 1: 5, 10-09

73. Jonathon VanDam -- Kalamazoo, MI -- 5, 10-08 -- 27
Day 1: 5, 10-08

74. Morizo Shimizu -- Osaka, Japan -- 5, 10-07 -- 26
Day 1: 5, 10-07

75. Cliff Prince -- Palatka, FL -- 5, 10-04 -- 25
Day 1: 5, 10-04

76. Derek Remitz -- Grant, AL -- 5, 10-03 -- 24
Day 1: 5, 10-03

76. Gerald Swindle -- Warrior, AL -- 5, 10-03 -- 24
Day 1: 5, 10-03

78. Kelly Jordon -- Palestine, TX -- 5, 10-02 -- 22
Day 1: 5, 10-02

79. Hank Cherry -- Maiden, NC -- 5, 10-01 -- 21
Day 1: 5, 10-01

80. Mike McClelland -- Bella Vista, AR -- 5, 09-15 -- 20
Day 1: 5, 09-15

81. Charlie Hartley -- Grove City, OH -- 5, 09-14 -- 19
Day 1: 5, 09-14

82. Brian Snowden -- Reeds Spring, MO -- 5, 09-10 -- 18
Day 1: 5, 09-10

83. Chad Pipkens -- Holt, MI -- 5, 09-08 -- 17
Day 1: 5, 09-08

84. Kotaro Kiriyama -- Moody, AL -- 5, 09-07 -- 16
Day 1: 5, 09-07

85. Jeff Kriet -- Ardmore, OK -- 5, 09-06 -- 15
Day 1: 5, 09-06

86. Greg Hackney -- Gonzales, LA -- 4, 09-06 -- 14
Day 1: 4, 09-06

87. Jared Lintner -- Arroyo Grande, CA -- 4, 09-00 -- 13
Day 1: 4, 09-00

88. Scott Ashmore -- Broken Arrow, OK -- 4, 08-08 -- 12
Day 1: 4, 08-08

89. Jason Williamson -- Aiken, SC -- 3, 08-08 -- 11
Day 1: 3, 08-08

90. Kenyon Hill -- Norman, OK -- 4, 08-00 -- 10
Day 1: 4, 08-00

90. Andy Montgomery -- Blacksburg, SC -- 4, 08-00 -- 10
Day 1: 4, 08-00

92. Jared Miller -- Norman, OK -- 4, 07-13 -- 8
Day 1: 4, 07-13

93. BJ Haseotes -- Centerville, MA -- 3, 07-07 -- 7
Day 1: 3, 07-07

94. Kevin Ledoux -- Choctaw, OK -- 3, 07-05 -- 6
Day 1: 3, 07-05

95. Russ Lane -- Prattville, AL -- 3, 06-07 -- 5
Day 1: 3, 06-07

96. Kelley Jaye -- Dadeville, AL -- 3, 05-12 -- 4
Day 1: 3, 05-12

97. Kurt Dove -- Del Rio, TX -- 3, 05-08 -- 3
Day 1: 3, 05-08

98. Matt Reed -- Madisonville, TX -- 3, 04-12 -- 2
Day 1: 3, 04-12

99. Terry Scroggins -- San Mateo, FL -- 2, 04-10 -- 1
Day 1: 2, 04-10