On the water with Schlapper and Lester

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Brandon Lester has a tough day 2 at the SiteOne Bassmaster Elite at Harris Chain.
Brandon Lester has a tough day 2 at the SiteOne Bassmaster Elite at Harris Chain.
As I approached Lester early this morning, he was having a few bites fishing the reeds along the bank. The fish were short striking, making him unable to set the hook.
As I approached Lester early this morning, he was having a few bites fishing the reeds along the bank. The fish were short striking, making him unable to set the hook.
Lester is targeting reeds and Kissimmee grass along the banks of Lake Dora.
Lester is targeting reeds and Kissimmee grass along the banks of Lake Dora.
While also finding a few around the docks along the way.
While also finding a few around the docks along the way.
Lake Dora is a 4,502-acre lake lined with plenty of reeds, docks, and other fish habitat.
Lake Dora is a 4,502-acre lake lined with plenty of reeds, docks, and other fish habitat.
Lester is spending his entire morning in the reeds. He has spotted plenty of fish up in the shallow water but is having trouble getting them to bite.
Lester is spending his entire morning in the reeds. He has spotted plenty of fish up in the shallow water but is having trouble getting them to bite.
After finishing up in his initial spot, he shoots across to another reed covered bank.
After finishing up in his initial spot, he shoots across to another reed covered bank.
Shortly after, he hooks into a fish, but it is not a keeper.
Shortly after, he hooks into a fish, but it is not a keeper.
This is the Kissimmee grass. It is a shorter, thicker grass. Lester is finding fish in beds around these large patches.
This is the Kissimmee grass. It is a shorter, thicker grass. Lester is finding fish in beds around these large patches.
Time to move again. Lester is struggling to get any fish to bite and decides to make a move and try something different.
Time to move again. Lester is struggling to get any fish to bite and decides to make a move and try something different.
After Lester left the area, I caught up to Pat Schlapper who came into today in second place.
After Lester left the area, I caught up to Pat Schlapper who came into today in second place.
Schlapper is fishing some open water flats throughout Lake Beauclair.
Schlapper is fishing some open water flats throughout Lake Beauclair.
Lake Beauclair is the neighboring lake to Lake Dora. It is also smaller, around 1,134-acres.
Lake Beauclair is the neighboring lake to Lake Dora. It is also smaller, around 1,134-acres.
Schlapper is moving around a lot, using fast moving baits and looking to his graph to locate schools of bass.
Schlapper is moving around a lot, using fast moving baits and looking to his graph to locate schools of bass.
Schlapper is hooked up on one, and it is his first keeper of the day.
Schlapper is hooked up on one, and it is his first keeper of the day.
Schlapper has also gotten off to a slow start. It is around mid-morning and the previous catch was his first keeper.
Schlapper has also gotten off to a slow start. It is around mid-morning and the previous catch was his first keeper.
Shortly after, he hooks into another.
Shortly after, he hooks into another.
And in the livewell it goes. Keeper number 2.
And in the livewell it goes. Keeper number 2.
Schlapper has hit a flurry, but it is a flurry of small fish.
Schlapper has hit a flurry, but it is a flurry of small fish.
It’s another fish in the boat, but this one doesn’t keep.
It’s another fish in the boat, but this one doesn’t keep.
With no luck and too many small fish, Schlapper leaves to go find some bigger ones.
With no luck and too many small fish, Schlapper leaves to go find some bigger ones.
He ends up in the Apopka Beauclair canal where he scans the bank for shallow bedding fish.
He ends up in the Apopka Beauclair canal where he scans the bank for shallow bedding fish.
Schlapper spends the rest of his mid-afternoon spotting fish along the bank but having trouble getting them to bite. He plans to finish out in his day in this canal searching for big bass on beds.
Schlapper spends the rest of his mid-afternoon spotting fish along the bank but having trouble getting them to bite. He plans to finish out in his day in this canal searching for big bass on beds.