Brandon Coulter’s week on the Chesapeake Bay

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Brandon Coulter arrives to the boat ramp on the final day of practice for the HUK Performance Fishing Bassmaster Elite Series event on the Chesapeake Bay.
Brandon Coulter arrives to the boat ramp on the final day of practice for the HUK Performance Fishing Bassmaster Elite Series event on the Chesapeake Bay.
Bassmaster.com tagged along to see how an Elite Series pro figures out a body of water that has been fickle for almost the entire field.
Bassmaster.com tagged along to see how an Elite Series pro figures out a body of water that has been fickle for almost the entire field.
We shove off from the Charlestown boat ramp to cover the Chesapeake Bay in hopes of figuring out the tough fishery.
We shove off from the Charlestown boat ramp to cover the Chesapeake Bay in hopes of figuring out the tough fishery.
A sunrise greeted anglers on the final day of practice and the Chesapeake Bay began to return to normalcy after a few days of flood tide conditions.
A sunrise greeted anglers on the final day of practice and the Chesapeake Bay began to return to normalcy after a few days of flood tide conditions.
As Coulter heads out of the no wake zone he sees fellow pros Koby Kreiger, Hank Cherry and Jacob Powroznik.
As Coulter heads out of the no wake zone he sees fellow pros Koby Kreiger, Hank Cherry and Jacob Powroznik.
Coulter chats with them about the fishing the last few days before he heads out.
Coulter chats with them about the fishing the last few days before he heads out.
He checks the tide charts on his electronics before heading out on the Chesapeake.
He checks the tide charts on his electronics before heading out on the Chesapeake.
We head to his first spot, which is a quick stop on the flats to check out some fish he found on the first day of practice.
We head to his first spot, which is a quick stop on the flats to check out some fish he found on the first day of practice.
He said the first two hours on Monday were normal tide conditions before the flood tide conditions arrived on the Upper Bay.
He said the first two hours on Monday were normal tide conditions before the flood tide conditions arrived on the Upper Bay.
We hit the flats on an incoming tide, but for the most part it was still very low.
We hit the flats on an incoming tide, but for the most part it was still very low.
Coulter heaves a chatterbait to probe the area.
Coulter heaves a chatterbait to probe the area.
The vast water you see was approximately five feet deep, which explains the flats. Coulter found a hard edge that actually produced two quality fish on Day 1 of the tournament.
The vast water you see was approximately five feet deep, which explains the flats. Coulter found a hard edge that actually produced two quality fish on Day 1 of the tournament.
After about 20 minutes he packs up to check another area.
After about 20 minutes he packs up to check another area.
The grass was still matted in his next area.
The grass was still matted in his next area.
Coulter checked a nearby marina after leaving the flats.
Coulter checked a nearby marina after leaving the flats.
Most of this body of water is shallow and has multiple types of grass.
Most of this body of water is shallow and has multiple types of grass.
The 45-year old Elite Series newcomer goes to an area that paid dividends in an Open event he fished years ago.
The 45-year old Elite Series newcomer goes to an area that paid dividends in an Open event he fished years ago.
Now it's off to the Susquehanna River.
Now it’s off to the Susquehanna River.
He decides to check out some smallmouth areas he found during the flood tide. He knew that this pattern could possibly disappear as soon as the flood tide left.
He decides to check out some smallmouth areas he found during the flood tide. He knew that this pattern could possibly disappear as soon as the flood tide left.
Coulter hooks up.
Coulter hooks up.
But it is a tiny smallmouth. That was his only bite in the area, but he saw numerous fish chase his bait to the boat.
But it is a tiny smallmouth. That was his only bite in the area, but he saw numerous fish chase his bait to the boat.
Coulter sees Terry Scroggins up ahead.
Coulter sees Terry Scroggins up ahead.
As they get closer both chat about the way the Chesapeake is fishing.
As they get closer both chat about the way the Chesapeake is fishing.
The Susquehanna provides rockier terrain and more conducive water for smallmouth bass.
The Susquehanna provides rockier terrain and more conducive water for smallmouth bass.
Coulter decides to pack up some rods before heading to his next area.
Coulter decides to pack up some rods before heading to his next area.
He has to idle out of this specific area because of the rocky possibilities.
He has to idle out of this specific area because of the rocky possibilities.
He sees Zell Rowland fishing nearby.
He sees Zell Rowland fishing nearby.
We make a long run down south to an area he remembers from his younger days of living in this area.
We make a long run down south to an area he remembers from his younger days of living in this area.
The wind was blowing hard on Wednesday's practice, but fortunately it was blowing out of the Bay instead of from the ocean towards the land. The wind direction was a big reason for the flood tide conditions during the first part of practice.
The wind was blowing hard on Wednesday’s practice, but fortunately it was blowing out of the Bay instead of from the ocean towards the land. The wind direction was a big reason for the flood tide conditions during the first part of practice.
Coulter decides to rig up a tube to probe some laydowns.
Coulter decides to rig up a tube to probe some laydowns.
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His box of tungsten sinkers.
His box of tungsten sinkers.
This area had some great laydown potential, but it didn't yield any bass.
This area had some great laydown potential, but it didn’t yield any bass.
He worked through this area quickly to know whether this area would be promising or if it was time to head back to the North East River.
He worked through this area quickly to know whether this area would be promising or if it was time to head back to the North East River.
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His Power Poles allowed him to stop and fish every tree or dock quickly and efficiently without floating off of his primary target.
His Power Poles allowed him to stop and fish every tree or dock quickly and efficiently without floating off of his primary target.
As he makes his way to the mouth of the creek he decides to tie on a crankbait to throw around the moving current.
As he makes his way to the mouth of the creek he decides to tie on a crankbait to throw around the moving current.
Coulter hasn't caught a keeper yet on the final practice day, so its time for a change.
Coulter hasn’t caught a keeper yet on the final practice day, so its time for a change.
He believes the next few hours will provide the most normal tide that anglers should expect during the tournament.
He believes the next few hours will provide the most normal tide that anglers should expect during the tournament.
He stops to fish near the mouth of a boat ramp.
He stops to fish near the mouth of a boat ramp.
But only catches some white perch on his crank bait.
But only catches some white perch on his crank bait.
He runs into his roommate Casey Scanlon after making a long run.
He runs into his roommate Casey Scanlon after making a long run.
Coulter compares notes with Scanlon and they both continue with their day.
Coulter compares notes with Scanlon and they both continue with their day.
You can see how much the water level rises and falls on these dock poles.
You can see how much the water level rises and falls on these dock poles.
Before leaving his next area he hangs out with Cliff Prince, nothing productive for Prince expect a morning bite on an area he knew he could catch some.
Before leaving his next area he hangs out with Cliff Prince, nothing productive for Prince expect a morning bite on an area he knew he could catch some.
After heading back to the flats for a couple minutes he runs into Derek Remitz.
After heading back to the flats for a couple minutes he runs into Derek Remitz.
The tide has matted up this grass so Coulter throws a frog for a couple minutes.
The tide has matted up this grass so Coulter throws a frog for a couple minutes.
This osprey said see ya once we pulled up.
This osprey said see ya once we pulled up.
Coulter decided to go find some docks in North East that he could catch some fish on.
Coulter decided to go find some docks in North East that he could catch some fish on.
He said that no matter what tide you fish a dock on, that some docks will never be productive while others always hold multiple fish.
He said that no matter what tide you fish a dock on, that some docks will never be productive while others always hold multiple fish.
Brandon Coulter's Day 1 weigh-in. He was 49th with 7 pounds, 9 ounces.
Brandon Coulter’s Day 1 weigh-in. He was 49th with 7 pounds, 9 ounces.
After Day 2 Coulter moved up to 20th. He weighed 14 pounds, 7 ounces on Friday. He ran out of areas on Day 3 and dropped to 39th, but successfully cashed a check and gained points toward the Angler of the Year race.
After Day 2 Coulter moved up to 20th. He weighed 14 pounds, 7 ounces on Friday. He ran out of areas on Day 3 and dropped to 39th, but successfully cashed a check and gained points toward the Angler of the Year race.