Bass catching frenzy on St. Johns River

41 Elites were packed into one area, and there were plenty of big bass to go around.

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A sign warns anglers to go slow near a bank on Lake George off the St. John’s River. The fishing would be anything but slow by the day’s end in Day 1 of the Bassmaster Elite at St. Johns River
A sign warns anglers to go slow near a bank on Lake George off the St. John’s River. The fishing would be anything but slow by the day’s end in Day 1 of the Bassmaster Elite at St. Johns River
This popular stretch would provide catches for many Elite pros, including Alton Jones.
This popular stretch would provide catches for many Elite pros, including Alton Jones.
J. Todd Tucker fishes near Alton, and not long after boats began pouring in.
J. Todd Tucker fishes near Alton, and not long after boats began pouring in.
Shaw Grigsby would be one of those and he quickly hooks up.
Shaw Grigsby would be one of those and he quickly hooks up.
The fish made some nice jumps near the boat,
The fish made some nice jumps near the boat,
Including this one that sent water and spraying.
Including this one that sent water and spraying.
The fish, though, had one too many jumps in him.
The fish, though, had one too many jumps in him.
Eventually coming off before Grigsby could get him in the boat.
Eventually coming off before Grigsby could get him in the boat.
3049 Nearby Dave Smith hooks up with one that would eventually jump off.
3049

Nearby Dave Smith hooks up with one that would eventually jump off.

And all around boats filled the area.
And all around boats filled the area.
Many of them like Brent Chapman looking intently for fish on the beds.
Many of them like Brent Chapman looking intently for fish on the beds.
And some, like Bernie Schultz, who cast to them.
And some, like Bernie Schultz, who cast to them.
And almost all of them caught fish.
And almost all of them caught fish.
Some of them on the small side.
Some of them on the small side.
And others, like this one that had some shoulders to it.
And others, like this one that had some shoulders to it.
Chapman battled the fish through its acrobatics.
Chapman battled the fish through its acrobatics.
Getting it to the side of the boat
Getting it to the side of the boat
With it jumping and pushing water the whole way.
With it jumping and pushing water the whole way.
A reach down and almost out of sight,
A reach down and almost out of sight,
And Chapman pulls up a fish in the 6-pound range.
And Chapman pulls up a fish in the 6-pound range.
And all around the armada of boats anglers caught fish, like this one for Joe Sancho.
And all around the armada of boats anglers caught fish, like this one for Joe Sancho.
The keeper would go into the livewell.
The keeper would go into the livewell.
And there would be times when the bites would belong to the pickerel.
And there would be times when the bites would belong to the pickerel.
Some anglers like Gary Klein knelt on their deck to fish.
Some anglers like Gary Klein knelt on their deck to fish.
While others, like Casey Scanlon stood up front.
While others, like Casey Scanlon stood up front.
Scanlon’s fish made big jumps and splashes.
Scanlon’s fish made big jumps and splashes.
Even jumping close enough to get a look at the Bass Pro logo.
Even jumping close enough to get a look at the Bass Pro logo.
And to the side of the boat, Scanlon scrambles to get his hands on the lunker.
And to the side of the boat, Scanlon scrambles to get his hands on the lunker.
The fish wasn’t done jumping.
The fish wasn’t done jumping.
Nearby Jacob Powroznik catches a keeper.
Nearby Jacob Powroznik catches a keeper.
And Klein adds one as well.
And Klein adds one as well.
And the group keeps looking.
And the group keeps looking.
Pete Ponds catches one in the middle of everyone.
Pete Ponds catches one in the middle of everyone.
And Powroznik gets another.
And Powroznik gets another.
His making a perfect jump in front of the Livingston wrap.
His making a perfect jump in front of the Livingston wrap.
J. Todd Tucker adds a keeper to his well.
J. Todd Tucker adds a keeper to his well.
And while Tucker is landing his, Klein adds one of his own.
And while Tucker is landing his, Klein adds one of his own.
Justin Lucas catches a quality keeper.
Justin Lucas catches a quality keeper.
And Todd Faircloth finishes out his limit.
And Todd Faircloth finishes out his limit.
Pete Ponds catches his third keeper.
Pete Ponds catches his third keeper.
And brings it aboard.
And brings it aboard.
Joe Sancho adds a keeper to his well.
Joe Sancho adds a keeper to his well.
As does Brent Chapman
As does Brent Chapman
Takahiro Omori fishes on top of his trolling motor, shielding his face with a hoodie.
Takahiro Omori fishes on top of his trolling motor, shielding his face with a hoodie.
In the background, Steve Kennedy catches a keeper.
In the background, Steve Kennedy catches a keeper.
And Bobby Lane adds one as well.
And Bobby Lane adds one as well.
While Powriznik finishes out his limit.
While Powriznik finishes out his limit.
Schultz casts to what little open water he can find.
Schultz casts to what little open water he can find.
Most of the area looked like this with boats in every direction.
Most of the area looked like this with boats in every direction.
Still most of the anglers caught keepers.
Still most of the anglers caught keepers.
Even the ospreys got into the act.
Even the ospreys got into the act.
This one plucked a keeper bass from nearby.
This one plucked a keeper bass from nearby.
While this one missed.
While this one missed.
Even the cormorants got into the act.
Even the cormorants got into the act.
The small catfish didn’t have a chance.
The small catfish didn’t have a chance.
Andy Montgomery hooks up with a big fish.
Andy Montgomery hooks up with a big fish.
That sends him to the back of the boat and his Marshall scrambling to get out of the way.
That sends him to the back of the boat and his Marshall scrambling to get out of the way.
Montgomery brings the fish to the driver’s seat.
Montgomery brings the fish to the driver’s seat.
Makes a couple of grabs for it,
Makes a couple of grabs for it,
before swinging it into the boat.
before swinging it into the boat.
Meanwhile, Jeff Kriet and Kevin VanDam look for bites.
Meanwhile, Jeff Kriet and Kevin VanDam look for bites.
And the flat starts looking like a merry go round.
And the flat starts looking like a merry go round.
This is a Bait Shop at the boat ramp that I used today. We trailered to Welaka this morning so we were waiting on the Anglers to arrive in Lake George.
This is a Bait Shop at the boat ramp that I used today. We trailered to Welaka this morning so we were waiting on the Anglers to arrive in Lake George.
This is a busy intersection at the boat ramp!
This is a busy intersection at the boat ramp!
This bird watched our every move as we launched this moring.
This bird watched our every move as we launched this moring.
Itchy I guess!
Itchy I guess!
This commercial angler was busy pulling his catfish nets as the fog was lifting.
This commercial angler was busy pulling his catfish nets as the fog was lifting.
His friends are always close looking for a meal.
His friends are always close looking for a meal.
Pulling the nets!
Pulling the nets!
Keeping a close eye on us!
Keeping a close eye on us!
Bobby Lane makes his way to Lake George.
Bobby Lane makes his way to Lake George.
This is a popular place on Lake George.
This is a popular place on Lake George.
Justin Lucas has his first of the day hooked up!
Justin Lucas has his first of the day hooked up!
It’s a keeper for Lucas.
It’s a keeper for Lucas.
Day 1 is starting out good.
Day 1 is starting out good.
Number two comes in fast!
Number two comes in fast!
To the well with this one.
To the well with this one.
The guys are working closely today.
The guys are working closely today.
Steve Bowman is just down from me shooting the other Anglers. Normally we are not this close together at an event. Although we have over 41 boats working this area and two cameras aren’t enough. James Overstreet also arrives after he finished shooting takeoff. Steve Wright B.A.S.S. writer also is in the boat blogging today.
Steve Bowman is just down from me shooting the other Anglers. Normally we are not this close together at an event. Although we have over 41 boats working this area and two cameras aren’t enough. James Overstreet also arrives after he finished shooting takeoff. Steve Wright B.A.S.S. writer also is in the boat blogging today.
James Niggemeyer lands a good fish.
James Niggemeyer lands a good fish.
Bernie Schultz is hooked up.
Bernie Schultz is hooked up.
Joe Sancho gets into the action very fast!
Joe Sancho gets into the action very fast!
Bobby Lane is hooked up and it’s a fighter.
Bobby Lane is hooked up and it’s a fighter.
This fish will keep for Lane.
This fish will keep for Lane.
Todd Faircloth works very close to our staked out location. We put the Power Poles down at 7:30am and didn’t move until it was time to head back to the ramp.
Todd Faircloth works very close to our staked out location. We put the Power Poles down at 7:30am and didn’t move until it was time to head back to the ramp.
Schultz has another.
Schultz has another.
Riding and looking!
Riding and looking!
Chad Pipkens swings a smaller fish over the rail.
Chad Pipkens swings a smaller fish over the rail.
Faircloth hooks a small fish!
Faircloth hooks a small fish!
This fish is putting up a fight!
This fish is putting up a fight!
Justin Lucas takes a swing. Strike One.
Justin Lucas takes a swing. Strike One.
Lucas sets the hook on a fish right next to our camera boat!
Lucas sets the hook on a fish right next to our camera boat!
Brett Hite (The winner of the first Elite Series event) lands a keeper as he works down from the large pack of boats.
Brett Hite (The winner of the first Elite Series event) lands a keeper as he works down from the large pack of boats.
Horton has a fish on and fish are jumping all around him. Miller looks on in his Yamaha wrapped Skeeter.
Horton has a fish on and fish are jumping all around him. Miller looks on in his Yamaha wrapped Skeeter.
The bait fish are going crazy!
The bait fish are going crazy!
That’s a keeper.
That’s a keeper.
The crew at work!
The crew at work!
The fight is on.
The fight is on.
Front row seats for this one!
Front row seats for this one!
Justin Lucas
Justin Lucas
Over the rail!
Over the rail!
This one is adding to the count!
This one is adding to the count!
It’s a good fish.
It’s a good fish.