I know the more I’m around the Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series, it seems a common theme is the less I know.
I know former Elite pro turned Bassmaster LIVE analyst Davy Hite made a bold prediction during the Halftime Show for the Champion Power Equipment Bassmaster Elite at Lake Okeechobee that there would not be any stringers over 22 pounds, 8 ounces on Day 2. I know Davy has been in the heat of these events for a long time. I know he knows more about these fisheries than I ever will. I know I remember when we referred to him as “a kid.” I know that means I’m old.
I know I don’t argue with Davy.
I know Davy was wrong and could be forgiven for that. I know there were five stringers to eclipse his mark. I know that includes the heaviest Elite Series limit for Okeechobee at 34 pounds, 10 ounces caught by Brandon Palaniuk. I know Ish Monroe held that distinction with 34-5 since 2012.
I know Okeechobee is showing out. I know Palaniuk is showing out.
I know no lead is safe in Florida. I know Palaniuk’s almost 10-pound lead isn’t enough for him. I know Palaniuk’s stringer was caught while sharing water with three other anglers. I know there’s not a stat for that. I know it makes the weight even more impressive.
I know if Palaniuk had zeroed on Day 1, he would be in 8th place going into Day 3. I know if that were the case we would have never seen it live. I know I’m glad we did.
I know two weeks in Florida has many of our anglers burning the miles to get home from a long time away. I know those who got cut are thinking about that as much as they are a fond return home. I know many are thinking about what they missed, while others are thinking about taking it out on others.
I know Matt Robertson is one of those. I know his next event is an Open on Kentucky Lake and I listened to his frustration in these words: “For those of y’all fishing up there now, remember who Daddy is.”
I know Robertson is one of a kind. I know you never know what he will say on the weigh-in stand. I know that kind of sums up the feelings from the bottom 52 in this event.
I know many of those anglers were cut in the final minutes of this event. I know late comebacks at your expense are always hard to swallow.
The reason I know this is how good Okeechobee gets the later in the day it gets, at least for some anglers.
I know, for instance, the absolute best fishing hour of the day was from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. and second best was 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
I know the 1 o’clock hour accounted for almost 35 percent of fish recorded at 3 pounds or more, while 25 percent occurred during the 2 o’clock hour. I know that’s 60 percent of the game changers that came in that span, including most of Palaniuk’s weight. I know the 1 o’clock hour accounted for 40 percent of the fish recorded at 5 pounds or more.
I know part of me says, “why even wake up early.” I also know these numbers are skewed by a 1 hour and 30-minute fog delay. I know they are still impressive. I know Day 3 will likely follow that trend. Which makes me believe I know some late heroics are sure to happen tomorrow. I know it will be fun to watch. I know “LIVE” makes it so much better.
