A look at St. Johns

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The Bassmaster Elite Series launches the 2019 season on a familiar fishery, the St. Johns River out of Palatka, Fla., Feb. 7-10. It will be the 21st B.A.S.S. pro event held there.
The Bassmaster Elite Series launches the 2019 season on a familiar fishery, the St. Johns River out of Palatka, Fla., Feb. 7-10. It will be the 21st B.A.S.S. pro event held there.
The season’s start means the rigs are on the road again. Chris Zaldain, making his way through an Alabama tunnel last year, is among the 75 anglers heading to the eastern Florida fishery.
The season’s start means the rigs are on the road again. Chris Zaldain, making his way through an Alabama tunnel last year, is among the 75 anglers heading to the eastern Florida fishery.
The longest river in Florida at just more than 300 miles, the St. Johns begins from marshland southeast of Orlando. The river is navigable for around 200 miles, starting around Sanford. The river becomes a broad estuary near the Riverfront Park, 100 Memorial Parkway, Palatka, FL, 32177, where the anglers will launch at 7:30 a.m. ET each morning and weigh-in at 4:10 p.m. ET.
The longest river in Florida at just more than 300 miles, the St. Johns begins from marshland southeast of Orlando. The river is navigable for around 200 miles, starting around Sanford. The river becomes a broad estuary near the Riverfront Park, 100 Memorial Parkway, Palatka, FL, 32177, where the anglers will launch at 7:30 a.m. ET each morning and weigh-in at 4:10 p.m. ET.
The Oklawaha River is the principal tributary of the St. Johns River, which forms several large lakes as it flows north.
The Oklawaha River is the principal tributary of the St. Johns River, which forms several large lakes as it flows north.
One popular destination is Lake George, where anglers have flocked in previous events here. Locking west into Rodman Reservoir is also permitted in this year’s tournament.
One popular destination is Lake George, where anglers have flocked in previous events here. Locking west into Rodman Reservoir is also permitted in this year’s tournament.
Most anglers fishing The Sunshine State have hopes of catching a personal record. Trophy bass topping 10 pounds are a definite possibility, several of which were caught the last time the Elites visited. Seth Feider landed this 10-pounder last year, unfortunately it was in practice, but he still wanted a photo of it.
Most anglers fishing The Sunshine State have hopes of catching a personal record. Trophy bass topping 10 pounds are a definite possibility, several of which were caught the last time the Elites visited. Seth Feider landed this 10-pounder last year, unfortunately it was in practice, but he still wanted a photo of it.
If you can’t get a shot with a big fish, there are numerous other photo opportunities in the Florida wilds, like this osprey flying off with lunch. You will be able to see much of this diverse fishery as Bassmaster LIVE expands its coverage. Day 1 of each event this year has been added, along with more live cameras and Skyping capabilities to view more anglers on the water each day.
If you can’t get a shot with a big fish, there are numerous other photo opportunities in the Florida wilds, like this osprey flying off with lunch. You will be able to see much of this diverse fishery as Bassmaster LIVE expands its coverage. Day 1 of each event this year has been added, along with more live cameras and Skyping capabilities to view more anglers on the water each day.
The St. Johns offers scenic old-growth trees with Spanish moss, as Rick Clunn can attest. Clunn won the event the last time the Elites visited in 2016, although he got off to a slow start.
The St. Johns offers scenic old-growth trees with Spanish moss, as Rick Clunn can attest. Clunn won the event the last time the Elites visited in 2016, although he got off to a slow start.
Behind this 9-3 bruiser, Brandon Lester led on Day 1 in that 2016 event with 23-13. He found the bedding fish in practice and alerted family to be on the watch for some quick work. He came through by landing it on his fourth cast.
Behind this 9-3 bruiser, Brandon Lester led on Day 1 in that 2016 event with 23-13. He found the bedding fish in practice and alerted family to be on the watch for some quick work. He came through by landing it on his fourth cast.
Drew Benton hails from Florida, although from the panhandle destination Panama City, and he also got off to a fast start with 22-15 to stand in second. However, he faltered on Day 2 with just under 10 pounds before charging to fourth with more than 20 pounds each of the final two days.
Drew Benton hails from Florida, although from the panhandle destination Panama City, and he also got off to a fast start with 22-15 to stand in second. However, he faltered on Day 2 with just under 10 pounds before charging to fourth with more than 20 pounds each of the final two days.
Big fish were the story of the event, and anglers like Feider breathed a sigh of relief when they actually got one in the boat. Only one of the 110 anglers didn’t bring in a limit on Day 1, and that was because Paul Mueller left to be at the birth of his first child.
Big fish were the story of the event, and anglers like Feider breathed a sigh of relief when they actually got one in the boat. Only one of the 110 anglers didn’t bring in a limit on Day 1, and that was because Paul Mueller left to be at the birth of his first child.
Hometown angler Cliff Prince, who to this day laments a livewell mistake that cost him a chance at winning, came charging back with a 23-1 on Day 2. After a lot of bedding fish were picked off on the first day, Friday saw 13 less limits and a drop in total weight of more than 300 pounds.
Hometown angler Cliff Prince, who to this day laments a livewell mistake that cost him a chance at winning, came charging back with a 23-1 on Day 2. After a lot of bedding fish were picked off on the first day, Friday saw 13 less limits and a drop in total weight of more than 300 pounds.
Prince gained ground behind the strength of this 10-8, the big bass of the event and the largest he’s weighed in B.A.S.S. competition.
Prince gained ground behind the strength of this 10-8, the big bass of the event and the largest he’s weighed in B.A.S.S. competition.
On many Florida fisheries, a number of factors can kill a bite, as Keith Combs experienced. But again, a big fish like this can get an angler right in a hurry. Combs sandwiched 19-14 bags around a dismal 9-4 yet almost made Championship Sunday, finishing 14th. Fishing fans can get a front seat, and submit photos like this, by signing up to be a Marshal.
On many Florida fisheries, a number of factors can kill a bite, as Keith Combs experienced. But again, a big fish like this can get an angler right in a hurry. Combs sandwiched 19-14 bags around a dismal 9-4 yet almost made Championship Sunday, finishing 14th. Fishing fans can get a front seat, and submit photos like this, by signing up to be a Marshal.
The story of 2016 was Clunn, who after two average days found some magic and thrilled fans and fellow anglers alike with a 31-7 on Day 3. Trip Weldon and Clunn’s son, River, help him show off his catch. Clunn weighed in last as he waited for his wife and son to arrive after their plane was delayed. It was by far the biggest bag of the event and propelled him into a 6-pound lead.
The story of 2016 was Clunn, who after two average days found some magic and thrilled fans and fellow anglers alike with a 31-7 on Day 3. Trip Weldon and Clunn’s son, River, help him show off his catch. Clunn weighed in last as he waited for his wife and son to arrive after their plane was delayed. It was by far the biggest bag of the event and propelled him into a 6-pound lead.
Not that everyone else was done. After 47 brought in limits on Day 3, only one of the 12 didn’t weigh in five fish on Championship Sunday. In total, there were 1,370 fish caught, and the average weight was just under 3-0. Behind a 7-14 big bass and another over 7, Benton brought in the biggest bag on Day 4 at 21-14.
Not that everyone else was done. After 47 brought in limits on Day 3, only one of the 12 didn’t weigh in five fish on Championship Sunday. In total, there were 1,370 fish caught, and the average weight was just under 3-0. Behind a 7-14 big bass and another over 7, Benton brought in the biggest bag on Day 4 at 21-14.
Clunn still had to close it out. Most everyone with knowledge of the living legend, who’s won four Bassmaster Classic titles, was rooting for him. He wanted to win in front of his son to show him dad was, as he put it, “bona fide.”
Clunn still had to close it out. Most everyone with knowledge of the living legend, who’s won four Bassmaster Classic titles, was rooting for him. He wanted to win in front of his son to show him dad was, as he put it, “bona fide.”
Clunn’s 19-pound effort, chronicled on Bassmaster LIVE, out-dueled every challenger as he was the only one to top 80 pounds over the four days (81-15). It was Clunn’s 15th career victory in B.A.S.S. At 69 years, 11 months old, he set the record as the oldest Elite winner.
Clunn’s 19-pound effort, chronicled on Bassmaster LIVE, out-dueled every challenger as he was the only one to top 80 pounds over the four days (81-15). It was Clunn’s 15th career victory in B.A.S.S. At 69 years, 11 months old, he set the record as the oldest Elite winner.
With Clunn leading, a huge crowd of fans showed up for Championship Sunday. The weigh-in area was packed, and most of the anglers stepped in front of the stage to witness history, and some who had left town even drove back for it.
With Clunn leading, a huge crowd of fans showed up for Championship Sunday. The weigh-in area was packed, and most of the anglers stepped in front of the stage to witness history, and some who had left town even drove back for it.
The media was abuzz over the historic moment, one of the best ever in the annuals of B.A.S.S. Clunn, who’s first victory was almost 40 years earlier, left everyone with this inspiring thought: “Never accept that all your best moments are in your past. I’m not in my peak, everybody knows that, but that doesn’t mean you’re still not going to have great moments.”
The media was abuzz over the historic moment, one of the best ever in the annuals of B.A.S.S. Clunn, who’s first victory was almost 40 years earlier, left everyone with this inspiring thought: “Never accept that all your best moments are in your past. I’m not in my peak, everybody knows that, but that doesn’t mean you’re still not going to have great moments.”
The 75 launching their boats on Day 1 will embark on a new era of B.A.S.S. For a select few who make the right moves, catch fish and put their names in the big book of B.A.S.S. alongside anglers like Clunn, there are great moments ahead.
The 75 launching their boats on Day 1 will embark on a new era of B.A.S.S. For a select few who make the right moves, catch fish and put their names in the big book of B.A.S.S. alongside anglers like Clunn, there are great moments ahead.