Herren’s and Palaniuk’s whackfest

After a fog delay, it was obvious that this spot on Mille Lacs would have a few Elite anglers during action on Day 2 of the 2016 Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Championship.
After a fog delay, it was obvious that this spot on Mille Lacs would have a few Elite anglers during action on Day 2 of the 2016 Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Championship.
Right in the middle of the armada of boats was Matt Herren and Brandon Palaniuk.
Right in the middle of the armada of boats was Matt Herren and Brandon Palaniuk.
And they were putting on a show. During a two-hour period there were few times when one or the other wasn't hooked up.
And they were putting on a show. During a two-hour period there were few times when one or the other wasn’t hooked up.
Most of the catches would take the angler to the passenger seat.
Most of the catches would take the angler to the passenger seat.
Where a quick grab would bring the fish in the boat.
Where a quick grab would bring the fish in the boat.
That would be followed by holding it up so the other angler could see it.
That would be followed by holding it up so the other angler could see it.
And then the process would be repeated.
And then the process would be repeated.
And if it was a real good one, a little fist pump or two was warranted.
And if it was a real good one, a little fist pump or two was warranted.
It wasn't showing off, either. Because while one was holding a fish, the other was battling a fish.
It wasn’t showing off, either. Because while one was holding a fish, the other was battling a fish.
And every once in a while you would see a moment of concern in the middle of a battle.
And every once in a while you would see a moment of concern in the middle of a battle.
And understand the concern if the fish showed itself like this.
And understand the concern if the fish showed itself like this.
Both anglers quickly had a limit and it was those fish that were in the 5-pound range they wanted the most.
Both anglers quickly had a limit and it was those fish that were in the 5-pound range they wanted the most.
This one created a 5-pound jump.
This one created a 5-pound jump.
And a 5-pound battle.
And a 5-pound battle.
But once it got in hand, it wasn't quite 5-pounds.
But once it got in hand, it wasn’t quite 5-pounds.
But it was big enough to help.
But it was big enough to help.
While Herren was admiring his fish, Palaniuk was getting a grasp on one to admire for himself.
While Herren was admiring his fish, Palaniuk was getting a grasp on one to admire for himself.
And as quick as the fish could be put in the box, they would be hooked up again.
And as quick as the fish could be put in the box, they would be hooked up again.
Repeating the process of heading to the passenger seat, while offering up some good-natured ribbing between the two.
Repeating the process of heading to the passenger seat, while offering up some good-natured ribbing between the two.
Then focus a few seconds on getting a handle on the fish next to the boat.
Then focus a few seconds on getting a handle on the fish next to the boat.
And bringing in another big smallmouth.
And bringing in another big smallmouth.
That would be followed by more ribbing and trash talking.
That would be followed by more ribbing and trash talking.
The two would spend the morning almost a rod length apart, hitting the same stretches.
The two would spend the morning almost a rod length apart, hitting the same stretches.
Mixing in some tips and the occasional jab, but working really well together.
Mixing in some tips and the occasional jab, but working really well together.
While one was casting the other was setting the hook.
While one was casting the other was setting the hook.
And when Palaniuk failed to boat flip a too small, smallmouth....
And when Palaniuk failed to boat flip a too small, smallmouth….
Herren would chide him a little, as Palaniuk moved to the seat to land a fish he would immediately cull.
Herren would chide him a little, as Palaniuk moved to the seat to land a fish he would immediately cull.
And then moments later, set the hook on his own smallmouth.
And then moments later, set the hook on his own smallmouth.
Herren would start the process of moving to the passenger seat.
Herren would start the process of moving to the passenger seat.
And grab another hefty smallmouth.
And grab another hefty smallmouth.
This one would help his overall weight.
This one would help his overall weight.
But not by much, which is obvious by these two being his smallest.
But not by much, which is obvious by these two being his smallest.
They were catching so well that there were several doubles during the morning.
They were catching so well that there were several doubles during the morning.
This is a unique scene on the Elite Series, two anglers so close together fighting fish at the same time.
This is a unique scene on the Elite Series, two anglers so close together fighting fish at the same time.
Palaniuk's would be small, but Herren's would send him to the passenger seat.
Palaniuk’s would be small, but Herren’s would send him to the passenger seat.
And again, he would wrestle a big smallmouth into the boat.
And again, he would wrestle a big smallmouth into the boat.
And the two would be right back at it, side by side.
And the two would be right back at it, side by side.
While both were catching quality smallmouth, Herren had the inside track on the
While both were catching quality smallmouth, Herren had the inside track on the “just slightly bigger” smallmouth.
Each of those would take him to the back of the boat.
Each of those would take him to the back of the boat.
And some of them were hard to get a handle on.
And some of them were hard to get a handle on.
But during the morning session none of them escaped his grasp.
But during the morning session none of them escaped his grasp.
There were times when he would be catching them on back-to-back casts.
There were times when he would be catching them on back-to-back casts.
And a few moments when the fish would put on a stubborn display at the side of the boat.
And a few moments when the fish would put on a stubborn display at the side of the boat.
The action was so consistent, Herren had to fish and drink at the same time.
The action was so consistent, Herren had to fish and drink at the same time.
And he couldn't even finish a swig of water without getting a bite and needing to set the hook.
And he couldn’t even finish a swig of water without getting a bite and needing to set the hook.
Once hooked, though, he finished his water...
Once hooked, though, he finished his water…
And went through the process of back seat, landing and hopefully culling.
And went through the process of back seat, landing and hopefully culling.
The action was just as fierce for Palaniuk.
The action was just as fierce for Palaniuk.
The young angler spent more time in the passenger seat than on the front deck.
The young angler spent more time in the passenger seat than on the front deck.
And an equal amount of time trying to get his hands on fighting smallmouth.
And an equal amount of time trying to get his hands on fighting smallmouth.
Like Herren, though, he didn't lose any.
Like Herren, though, he didn’t lose any.
Both were having the time of their lives. Not many days when competition gets over ruled by the fun of just catching a lot of big smallmouth,
Both were having the time of their lives. Not many days when competition gets over ruled by the fun of just catching a lot of big smallmouth,
That fun is evident by the next several slides of catch after catch. Many of those were edited out simply because there were so many.
That fun is evident by the next several slides of catch after catch. Many of those were edited out simply because there were so many.
But the action was relentless.
But the action was relentless.
And the smallmouth were all chunks that deserved an admiring look.
And the smallmouth were all chunks that deserved an admiring look.
Every once in a while, one of the bigger smallmouth would slip from their grasp.
Every once in a while, one of the bigger smallmouth would slip from their grasp.
And fall back in the water.
And fall back in the water.
But eventually wind up in the boat.
But eventually wind up in the boat.
For the most part, all of these hefty fish never broke the surface until the angler set down and was trying to grab it.
For the most part, all of these hefty fish never broke the surface until the angler set down and was trying to grab it.
This one, though, put on a rare aerial show to go along with the whackfest that was taking place
This one, though, put on a rare aerial show to go along with the whackfest that was taking place
It too, though, would eventually make it in the boat.
It too, though, would eventually make it in the boat.
Adding what may prove to be precious ounces to already giant sacks.
Adding what may prove to be precious ounces to already giant sacks.
When we left them, they were constantly catching and culling, holding up big smallmouth that would eventually be too small to keep.
When we left them, they were constantly catching and culling, holding up big smallmouth that would eventually be too small to keep.