Brandon Palaniuk knows what the daily goal is at Lake Champlain – 20 pounds, just like it is every time there’s a B.A.S.S. tournament here. And he’s working his way there with two big culls in the last 30 minutes. The last one, which looked to be 4-plus pounds, was especially significant.
“It’s the biggest one I’ve hooked all week,” said Palaniuk as he fought it to the boat. “That’s what we are after.” After putting the fish in the livewell, he pointed to the water surface a few feet from his boat and said, “Look at what he just spit up. Petey the perch.” It was a 4- to 5-inch long yellow perch floating dead on the surface.
Palaniuk started the day in 8th place, after weighing 19-12 on Day 1, all smallmouth bass. BASSTrakk shows him with 16-1 today. I think he’s got more than that. But he doesn’t have 20 pounds, and the goal is 80 pounds at the end of the week, if you want to be in contention for the title.
“I’m not slowing down until I get 20,” Palaniuk said. “I’ve still got time. Got to keep grinding.”
Check out the gallery for more of Palaniuk’s morning.