Elites on Winyah

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We started Day 1 of the HUK Performance Fishing Bassmaster Elite at Winyah Bay presented by GoRVing in the Black River and the first angler we came upon was Bobby Lane.
We started Day 1 of the HUK Performance Fishing Bassmaster Elite at Winyah Bay presented by GoRVing in the Black River and the first angler we came upon was Bobby Lane.
It seemed as if Lane was comfortable with how the fishing would lineup this week because when it comes to shallow water he is one of the best.
It seemed as if Lane was comfortable with how the fishing would lineup this week because when it comes to shallow water he is one of the best.
It didn’t take long for Lane to get a bite.
It didn’t take long for Lane to get a bite.
To his surprise it wasn’t a mud fish, but instead a keeper bass.
To his surprise it wasn’t a mud fish, but instead a keeper bass.
The elated Bobby Lane is on the board with number one.
The elated Bobby Lane is on the board with number one.
In the box you go. No cull tag needed for this one. Winyah Bay has been fishing tough so a 2 ½ to 3 pounder is above average.
In the box you go. No cull tag needed for this one. Winyah Bay has been fishing tough so a 2 ½ to 3 pounder is above average.
Lane keeps fishing along.
Lane keeps fishing along.
He made hundreds of flips/pitches/casts throughout the first few hours of the morning. Lane left no stone unturned.
He made hundreds of flips/pitches/casts throughout the first few hours of the morning. Lane left no stone unturned.
He hooks up! Could this be keeper number two?
He hooks up! Could this be keeper number two?
No, this was his first mud fish of the day and he was surprised it took as long as it did.
No, this was his first mud fish of the day and he was surprised it took as long as it did.
Lane can only stare as it thrashes with his bait in its mouth.
Lane can only stare as it thrashes with his bait in its mouth.
Like his brother Chris, Bobby also has an American Flag on his light pole.
Like his brother Chris, Bobby also has an American Flag on his light pole.
Bobby attempts to pick apart every piece of cover.
Bobby attempts to pick apart every piece of cover.
Time to fish a grass mat. This is familiar territory for the Florida native.
Time to fish a grass mat. This is familiar territory for the Florida native.
That mat is solely a canopy as there is no hydrilla or milfoil growing underneath.
That mat is solely a canopy as there is no hydrilla or milfoil growing underneath.
After numerous flips, Lane believes he thoroughly picked apart the mat.
After numerous flips, Lane believes he thoroughly picked apart the mat.
Winyah Bay is a beautiful place.
Winyah Bay is a beautiful place.
With plenty of cover and corners to hide around.
With plenty of cover and corners to hide around.
Lane fishes three types of cover in this photo. There are reeds, cypress trees and some grass mixed in.
Lane fishes three types of cover in this photo. There are reeds, cypress trees and some grass mixed in.
J Todd Tucker comes around the corner and notices Bobby fishing.
J Todd Tucker comes around the corner and notices Bobby fishing.
So Tucker decides to takeoff instead of encroaching the area.
So Tucker decides to takeoff instead of encroaching the area.
Lane keeps flipping along.
Lane keeps flipping along.
He short-lines a keeper and swings it in the boat very quickly.
He short-lines a keeper and swings it in the boat very quickly.
Number two for Lane.
Number two for Lane.
Another picturesque scene on Winyah Bay.
Another picturesque scene on Winyah Bay.
We find J Todd Tucker fishing in a canal not far away.
We find J Todd Tucker fishing in a canal not far away.
Tucker loses a fish after it breaks his line. He proceeds to criticize himself for not retying and risking that in the first place.
Tucker loses a fish after it breaks his line. He proceeds to criticize himself for not retying and risking that in the first place.
He carries on as he tries to make up for the mistake. He had two fish in the boat at the time we arrived.
He carries on as he tries to make up for the mistake. He had two fish in the boat at the time we arrived.
Tucker hooks up.
Tucker hooks up.
The fish digs at the boat and comes to the driver side.
The fish digs at the boat and comes to the driver side.
Tucker gets some leverage on the fish and decides to swing it in.
Tucker gets some leverage on the fish and decides to swing it in.
It jumps at the boat, but Tucker keeps the momentum coming towards him and brings it aboard.
It jumps at the boat, but Tucker keeps the momentum coming towards him and brings it aboard.
That’s a chunky upgrade to his bag.
That’s a chunky upgrade to his bag.
Tucker is pleased.
Tucker is pleased.
Now he has three keepers in the boat as he continues to pick apart Winyah Bay in hopes of bringing five to the scales.
Now he has three keepers in the boat as he continues to pick apart Winyah Bay in hopes of bringing five to the scales.
In the box for Tucker.
In the box for Tucker.
And back on the move as he covers water.
And back on the move as he covers water.
Tucker flings his bait towards the shoreline.
Tucker flings his bait towards the shoreline.
Then side arms his lure to get under a tree limb.
Then side arms his lure to get under a tree limb.
Local outdoor enthusiasts enjoy the sunny skies and kayak throughout the Black River.
Local outdoor enthusiasts enjoy the sunny skies and kayak throughout the Black River.
We run by a short pocket and see Bobby Lane again.
We run by a short pocket and see Bobby Lane again.
Then as we head farther down the Black River we found David Walker who was running to a new spot. He greeted us with a peace sign, which could’ve also been his way of telling us he had two fish.
Then as we head farther down the Black River we found David Walker who was running to a new spot. He greeted us with a peace sign, which could’ve also been his way of telling us he had two fish.
Indeed it was. Walker fishes down the bank looking for a bite.
Indeed it was. Walker fishes down the bank looking for a bite.
He takes the time to retie a bait…
He takes the time to retie a bait…
Before moving on to a new location.
Before moving on to a new location.
Walker was running and gunning trying to make something happen.
Walker was running and gunning trying to make something happen.
Bobby Lane comes speeding around the corner.
Bobby Lane comes speeding around the corner.
While Walker keeps switching up and covering water.
While Walker keeps switching up and covering water.
The wind speed has these reeds laying over to the side.
The wind speed has these reeds laying over to the side.
Walker decides to make another decent run and he straps his rods down.
Walker decides to make another decent run and he straps his rods down.
He would finish the day with just two fish in the boat while Bobby Lane filled his limit and J Todd Tucker would wrangle four bass to take to the scales.
He would finish the day with just two fish in the boat while Bobby Lane filled his limit and J Todd Tucker would wrangle four bass to take to the scales.