Prince still looking for giants

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The AFTCO Bassmaster Elite at St. Johns River is officially underway. The beginning of each season brings a level of uncertainty and anxiety amongst the anglers because a solid start to the season is always important.
The AFTCO Bassmaster Elite at St. Johns River is officially underway. The beginning of each season brings a level of uncertainty and anxiety amongst the anglers because a solid start to the season is always important.
It’s likely that no angler feels these emotions more than the Palatka, Fla., native Cliff Prince. In his last four Elite Series events at the St. Johns River, Prince has never finished lower than 17th. This success brings extremely high expectations to the hometown favorite.
It’s likely that no angler feels these emotions more than the Palatka, Fla., native Cliff Prince. In his last four Elite Series events at the St. Johns River, Prince has never finished lower than 17th. This success brings extremely high expectations to the hometown favorite.
Given the unusually cold temperatures and less than ideal fishing conditions, many believed that Prince would have a distinct advantage in this event.
Given the unusually cold temperatures and less than ideal fishing conditions, many believed that Prince would have a distinct advantage in this event.
After a long run, Prince started his day chunking and winding.
After a long run, Prince started his day chunking and winding.
Given his abundance of knowledge on the St. Johns River and his fishing style, Prince never stayed put in one spot for too long.
Given his abundance of knowledge on the St. Johns River and his fishing style, Prince never stayed put in one spot for too long.
Targeting a variety of different vegetation and cover, Prince covered a lot of water.
Targeting a variety of different vegetation and cover, Prince covered a lot of water.
The longer that the morning dragged on, Prince kept a rotation of baits honest.
The longer that the morning dragged on, Prince kept a rotation of baits honest.
While Prince made short runs from spot to spot, he also mixed in a couple of long runs as well.
While Prince made short runs from spot to spot, he also mixed in a couple of long runs as well.
Prince’s Garmin Force trolling motor got a solid workout on Day 1.
Prince’s Garmin Force trolling motor got a solid workout on Day 1.
A running and gunning approach had Prince stopping at high percentage areas, making a few casts and moving on to the next spot.
A running and gunning approach had Prince stopping at high percentage areas, making a few casts and moving on to the next spot.
In certain areas, Prince wouldn’t even put the trolling motor down to make a cast. He would simply survey and graph the area, and if he didn’t see what he liked, he’d keep it moving.
In certain areas, Prince wouldn’t even put the trolling motor down to make a cast. He would simply survey and graph the area, and if he didn’t see what he liked, he’d keep it moving.
Prince utilized his electronics a lot during the day. In this moment, Prince had put his life jacket on to head to another spot, but quickly put the trolling motor back in the water after seeing something that caught his interest.
Prince utilized his electronics a lot during the day. In this moment, Prince had put his life jacket on to head to another spot, but quickly put the trolling motor back in the water after seeing something that caught his interest.
While Prince primarily focused on moving baits, he would slow down every once in a while.
While Prince primarily focused on moving baits, he would slow down every once in a while.
After a brutally slow morning, Prince boated his first keeper of the day at roughly 11 a.m.
After a brutally slow morning, Prince boated his first keeper of the day at roughly 11 a.m.
Although number one wasn’t a big one, it was apparent that it was a major relief to boat a keeper.
Although number one wasn’t a big one, it was apparent that it was a major relief to boat a keeper.
A big smile from “The Prince of Palatka.”
A big smile from “The Prince of Palatka.”
History proves that tidal fisheries are all about timing. Prince refished areas in hopes that the fish would be biting.
History proves that tidal fisheries are all about timing. Prince refished areas in hopes that the fish would be biting.
Another change of scenery for Prince.
Another change of scenery for Prince.
Later in the day, Prince put his head down and covered more water.
Later in the day, Prince put his head down and covered more water.
Despite the slow day, Prince still attracted a crowd.
Despite the slow day, Prince still attracted a crowd.
On to the next spot.
On to the next spot.