Palaniuk’s Semifinal Saturday search

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I caught up with Brandon Palaniuk deep in Salt Springs. The five-time Elite Series champ went into Day 3 of the AFTCO Bassmaster Elite at St. Johns River in seventh with a two-day total of 31-8.
I caught up with Brandon Palaniuk deep in Salt Springs. The five-time Elite Series champ went into Day 3 of the AFTCO Bassmaster Elite at St. Johns River in seventh with a two-day total of 31-8.
He was working a shallow flat almost all the way in the back of the creek, targeting bedding bass. He had one bass in his livewell when we arrived, having caught a 3 1/2-pounder earlier in the day.
He was working a shallow flat almost all the way in the back of the creek, targeting bedding bass. He had one bass in his livewell when we arrived, having caught a 3 1/2-pounder earlier in the day.
Palaniuk was using plastics as he slowly trolled through the area looking for beds.
Palaniuk was using plastics as he slowly trolled through the area looking for beds.
Palaniuk wasn’t the only Elite pro who expected to find bass in the back of Salt Springs. Matt Arey also was in the area, working the shallows just down the bank from Palaniuk.
Palaniuk wasn’t the only Elite pro who expected to find bass in the back of Salt Springs. Matt Arey also was in the area, working the shallows just down the bank from Palaniuk.
Palaniuk kept a push pole handy so he could be as stealthy as possible in hopes of not scaring bass off the beds.
Palaniuk kept a push pole handy so he could be as stealthy as possible in hopes of not scaring bass off the beds.
He used his trolling motor mount to get some extra height so he could better see through the glare.
He used his trolling motor mount to get some extra height so he could better see through the glare.
Palaniuk and Arey were stumped as to why there weren’t more bass in the clear-water flat. “I thought if no one was catching out there, they had to be back here,” Arey said.
Palaniuk and Arey were stumped as to why there weren’t more bass in the clear-water flat. “I thought if no one was catching out there, they had to be back here,” Arey said.
Finally, Palaniuk pulled out a spinning rod.
Finally, Palaniuk pulled out a spinning rod.
Arey finally threw in the towel, heading back down Salt Springs toward Lake George.
Arey finally threw in the towel, heading back down Salt Springs toward Lake George.
The back of Salt Springs is a major launch area for locals, so there were plenty of spectators watching the anglers in back of the creek.
The back of Salt Springs is a major launch area for locals, so there were plenty of spectators watching the anglers in back of the creek.
Bob Downey also idled into the back of the creek.
Bob Downey also idled into the back of the creek.
Palaniuk was set up on a bed as Downey eased past him.
Palaniuk was set up on a bed as Downey eased past him.
He set the hook when a bass picked up his bait.
He set the hook when a bass picked up his bait.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t the size fish he hoped for. “Twelve inches strong,” Palaniuk joked as he put the bass in the livewell. That fish pushed his weight to about 4 1/2 pounds.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t the size fish he hoped for. “Twelve inches strong,” Palaniuk joked as he put the bass in the livewell. That fish pushed his weight to about 4 1/2 pounds.
He went right back to work, hoping to catch a female on the bed.
He went right back to work, hoping to catch a female on the bed.
Palaniuk would often squat down to get a better look or try to keep his profile as low as possible while working a bed.
Palaniuk would often squat down to get a better look or try to keep his profile as low as possible while working a bed.
That paid off after moving to another bed, when a third bass snapped up his lure. This fish weighed 1-4, pushing his three-fish weight to 5 pounds 12 ounces.
That paid off after moving to another bed, when a third bass snapped up his lure. This fish weighed 1-4, pushing his three-fish weight to 5 pounds 12 ounces.