On the water with Panzironi

The sun rises over the final day of the Bass Pros Shops Bassmaster Southern Open on the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes as the Top 12 pro’s and co-anglers head out to do battle for eight hours.
The sun rises over the final day of the Bass Pros Shops Bassmaster Southern Open on the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes as the Top 12 pro’s and co-anglers head out to do battle for eight hours.
Cody Detweiler started the final day in 3rd place and was just 2 pounds, 9 ounces behind Wesley Strader.
Cody Detweiler started the final day in 3rd place and was just 2 pounds, 9 ounces behind Wesley Strader.
Day 2 leader Wesley Strader flies south down Lake Toho and heads toward the lock.
Day 2 leader Wesley Strader flies south down Lake Toho and heads toward the lock.
The rest of the Top 12 heads towards us as well. A vast majority of the Top 12 locked so they could head to one of the other three lakes on the Kissimmee Chain.
The rest of the Top 12 heads towards us as well. A vast majority of the Top 12 locked so they could head to one of the other three lakes on the Kissimmee Chain.
Day 1 leader Brad Knight hopes to regain some magic and catch another 20+ pounds.
Day 1 leader Brad Knight hopes to regain some magic and catch another 20+ pounds.
Jason Williamson started the morning in 5th place and wasn’t quite sure what his morning plan was going to be. He has started in Toho the last few days because of all the traffic at the lock, but with no traffic this morning he didn’t know what he should do. He decided to start in Toho.
Jason Williamson started the morning in 5th place and wasn’t quite sure what his morning plan was going to be. He has started in Toho the last few days because of all the traffic at the lock, but with no traffic this morning he didn’t know what he should do. He decided to start in Toho.
Two duck hunters were nearby hiding in a patch of reeds.
Two duck hunters were nearby hiding in a patch of reeds.
We quickly moved from Williamson to Eric Panzironi who started the day in second place, just 2-8 behind Strader.
We quickly moved from Williamson to Eric Panzironi who started the day in second place, just 2-8 behind Strader.
Panzironi has fished solely in Toho for both Day 1 and 2 of this event.
Panzironi has fished solely in Toho for both Day 1 and 2 of this event.
Williamson’s first stop was short-lived as he heads to the other side of Panzironi like he did on Day 2 of the event.
Williamson’s first stop was short-lived as he heads to the other side of Panzironi like he did on Day 2 of the event.
Co-angler Carlton Tipp hooks up with his first fish of the morning. At this point, Panzironi already boated a small keeper fish.
Co-angler Carlton Tipp hooks up with his first fish of the morning. At this point, Panzironi already boated a small keeper fish.
It was just a small keeper so Tipp put it in the livewell quickly and got back to casting.
It was just a small keeper so Tipp put it in the livewell quickly and got back to casting.
Panzironi has shown some consistency over the first two days with 17 pounds, 15 ounces and 16 pounds, 13 ounces respectively. With the tough conditions consistency has been hard to come by. One more day like that and he could be sitting nicely in the standings.
Panzironi has shown some consistency over the first two days with 17 pounds, 15 ounces and 16 pounds, 13 ounces respectively. With the tough conditions consistency has been hard to come by. One more day like that and he could be sitting nicely in the standings.
He hooks up in a clump of lily pads.
He hooks up in a clump of lily pads.
It isn’t a big fish as he hauls it out of the thick cover and gets it to ski his way.
It isn’t a big fish as he hauls it out of the thick cover and gets it to ski his way.
He swings it in the boat like he has done over the last few days, but already this morning he knows his size is lacking.
He swings it in the boat like he has done over the last few days, but already this morning he knows his size is lacking.
It’s very early so he has time to cull out his small fish, but two fish in the livewell pretty quickly is a good sign.
It’s very early so he has time to cull out his small fish, but two fish in the livewell pretty quickly is a good sign.
Panzironi has thrown a three-bait system at these fish this week. His open water setup is a soft plastic swimbait rigged weedless, while he throws a swim jig in sparse cover and then flips a heavy Texas Rig in the thick cover.
Panzironi has thrown a three-bait system at these fish this week. His open water setup is a soft plastic swimbait rigged weedless, while he throws a swim jig in sparse cover and then flips a heavy Texas Rig in the thick cover.
Williamson fulfills his promise and only stays in Toho for a short time. Now he is headed to the lock and to Kissimmee hoping to fill out his limit.
Williamson fulfills his promise and only stays in Toho for a short time. Now he is headed to the lock and to Kissimmee hoping to fill out his limit.
Panzironi flips his punching setup into a clump of lily pads.
Panzironi flips his punching setup into a clump of lily pads.
His rig consists of a heavy tungsten weight probably in the one-ounce range and he has a black and blue skirt with a black beaver style bait.
His rig consists of a heavy tungsten weight probably in the one-ounce range and he has a black and blue skirt with a black beaver style bait.
Carlton Tipp hooks up again.
Carlton Tipp hooks up again.
This time it looks like an above average fish for this week of fishing.
This time it looks like an above average fish for this week of fishing.
He flipped up a chunky 2 ½ pound largemouth.
He flipped up a chunky 2 ½ pound largemouth.
Florida offers numerous amounts of cover for bass to hide in and around. It’s almost like a needle in a haystack at times.
Florida offers numerous amounts of cover for bass to hide in and around. It’s almost like a needle in a haystack at times.
Tipp slings his bait along the edge line of lily pads and hooks up.
Tipp slings his bait along the edge line of lily pads and hooks up.
It isn’t a giant by any means, but for Tipp he fills his three-fish co-angler limit with this keeper bass.
It isn’t a giant by any means, but for Tipp he fills his three-fish co-angler limit with this keeper bass.
So many flips throughout the day can be a mind-numbing task, but Panzironi has to stay sharp because any flip can yield a big bass that can turn his slow day around.
So many flips throughout the day can be a mind-numbing task, but Panzironi has to stay sharp because any flip can yield a big bass that can turn his slow day around.
Panzironi and Tipp worked well together as both were supportive of each other every time they caught a fish. It’s always a pleasant surprise when a pro and co-angler fist bump to congratulate each other. That happened a couple times throughout the day.
Panzironi and Tipp worked well together as both were supportive of each other every time they caught a fish. It’s always a pleasant surprise when a pro and co-angler fist bump to congratulate each other. That happened a couple times throughout the day.
It a quick flash, Panzironi sets the hook and has a fish come unbuttoned very quickly. He knew it was a quality fish and he took a moment to gather his thoughts and regroup.
It a quick flash, Panzironi sets the hook and has a fish come unbuttoned very quickly. He knew it was a quality fish and he took a moment to gather his thoughts and regroup.
Here, Panzironi slings his swimbait in the open water between a group of lily pads.
Here, Panzironi slings his swimbait in the open water between a group of lily pads.
Panzironi heads out of the small canal and makes his way to the main lake.
Panzironi heads out of the small canal and makes his way to the main lake.
For the first time I’ve seen in this event, he pulls his trolling motor and heads to a new area and hopefully greener pastures.
For the first time I’ve seen in this event, he pulls his trolling motor and heads to a new area and hopefully greener pastures.
An airboat tour group comes out of a wooded area and flies by us to head across the lake.
An airboat tour group comes out of a wooded area and flies by us to head across the lake.
Ish Monroe was already fishing in this new area so we creep over to check it out.
Ish Monroe was already fishing in this new area so we creep over to check it out.
On cue, Monroe hooks up with a fish beneath the thick vegetation. It eventually comes off before he can get it in the boat. He yells to Panzironi and tells him that was his third bite in this area and he hasn’t gotten any of them in the boat.
On cue, Monroe hooks up with a fish beneath the thick vegetation. It eventually comes off before he can get it in the boat. He yells to Panzironi and tells him that was his third bite in this area and he hasn’t gotten any of them in the boat.
Panzironi picks up his punching setup and prepares to find out what’s under the thick vegetation. He is hoping a few keepers.
Panzironi picks up his punching setup and prepares to find out what’s under the thick vegetation. He is hoping a few keepers.
Monroe informs us he has two small keepers today and Panzironi echoes the same thing back.
Monroe informs us he has two small keepers today and Panzironi echoes the same thing back.
Monroe fishes on.
Monroe fishes on.
And a few moments later, Panzironi hooks up.
And a few moments later, Panzironi hooks up.
Once again it’s a small keeper, but it’s a critical number three for him. Monroe gives him a vote of confidence and tells him he’s going to cull that one out later.
Once again it’s a small keeper, but it’s a critical number three for him. Monroe gives him a vote of confidence and tells him he’s going to cull that one out later.
A few casts later and Panzironi is done with this area. He is moving on.
A few casts later and Panzironi is done with this area. He is moving on.
Monroe heads out as well. Both anglers were surprised with how tough it’s been today.
Monroe heads out as well. Both anglers were surprised with how tough it’s been today.
Panzironi and Tipp pick apart the vegetation as both punch through the cover.
Panzironi and Tipp pick apart the vegetation as both punch through the cover.
With numerous short moves in the last few minutes, Panzironi packs up and heads from the east side of Lake Toho over to the west side and we head off to the boat ramp as well.
With numerous short moves in the last few minutes, Panzironi packs up and heads from the east side of Lake Toho over to the west side and we head off to the boat ramp as well.
We left him at noon with three small keepers in his livewell, but with check-in at 3 p.m. there is still a definite chance that he can upgrade his bag significantly.
We left him at noon with three small keepers in his livewell, but with check-in at 3 p.m. there is still a definite chance that he can upgrade his bag significantly.
When we arrive at the boat ramp we find another kind of fishermen that had a successful catch. This osprey kept a watchful eye on us as we drove by.
When we arrive at the boat ramp we find another kind of fishermen that had a successful catch. This osprey kept a watchful eye on us as we drove by.