Ito Leads Long Parade Of 30-Pound Bags

By B.A.S.S. Communications Staff

YANTIS, Texas — Just about everyone expected to see big bags of bass this week in the Bassmaster Elite Series event at Lake Fork. Few, however, could have predicted the absolute slugfest that took place Thursday on this 27,000-acre jewel in the northeast corner of the Lone Star State.

A whopping 14 of the 103 anglers in the field caught 30 pounds or better on Day 1 of the four-day tournament. Taku Ito, of Chiba, Japan, led the way with a five-bass total of 39 pounds, 1 ounce, including a personal best 10-5 lunker largemouth he brought to the stage at Caney Point Recreation Area.

His previous best was a 10-pounder he caught in Japan.

“Today was an incredible day,” Ito said. “I caught the big one about 10 a.m. I was throwing many types of baits — a jighead, a jerkbait, Texas rigs, dropshots. I was in different kinds of water, from 25 feet to about 5 feet.”

It was an unexpected turnaround for the 37-year-old Elite pro, who said he struggled mightily during his practice days on Fork.

“It was terrible,” he said. “I had four fish in one practice. Then I had three fish one day and two on another day. But today, I caught a bunch. Everything worked for me today.”

Ito wasn’t expecting Thursday’s cold and windy weather to help his cause, either, though it certainly did. Temperatures plummeted into the 40s on Wednesday, from the mid-80s a day earlier, and they stayed that way on Day 1 of the derby.

The weather is predicted to slowly warm throughout the tournament, though Friday morning could be cold and windy again. The rapidly changing conditions make Ito uncertain he can come close to repeating the phenomenal weight he caught Thursday.

“It’ll be hard,” he said. “The weather today helped me. I will go to the same places and try the same things.”

Stetson Blaylock, of Benton, Ark., is in second place with 37-6. He had a strong start, with bass weighing 6-10, 8-6 and 9-10 coming from the same small spot in the opening hours. Blaylock went cold for more than three hours, though, and didn’t catch his fourth and fifth bass until much later in the day.

He said unpredictable weather has him thinking he’ll try something new on Friday. And yes, he realizes it’s not too often you catch such a bag and change tactics.

“This weather made the fish weird,” he said. “I found that one little area that really produced this morning. I knew it would be good, but I didn’t know it’d be that good … I don’t think I'll go there tomorrow … Things are gonna flip-flop. With the amount of 30-pound stringers caught today, I know I can go other places in the lake and catch big fish.”

Second-year Elite Kyle Norsetter, of Cottage Grove, Wis., is in third place with 35-8. He too said he struggled during practice, but a midday change of scenery helped him mount a strong Day 1 finish.

“We had about 35 bed fish marked, but I pulled into my first spot, and I only caught a 3-11,” he said. “I thought it was gonna be a decent day. I hit my spots, about six of them, and they were gone … I caught only one bedding fish today.

“So, I ended up switching gears,” Norsetter continued. “I saw something and made a cast, got it. Then I started LiveScoping. From there, everything went right. There were a lot of fish and some really nice fish, too. It was encouraging after having a really tough, draining practice.”

Trey McKinney, of Carbondale, Ill., is fourth after Day 1 with 33-11. Justin Hammer, of Northport, Ala., is fifth with 33-5. A total of 92 Elites had double-digit totals on Thursday and 69 of them caught at least 20 pounds.

Wesley Gore, of Clanton, Ala., caught the Phoenix Boats Big Bass on Thursday — a 10-9 giant he hooked just before 9 a.m.

Big bags are nothing new at Lake Fork. Texas pro Lee Livesay won the past two Elite derbies held here, cracking the Century mark both times — 112-5 in 2021 and 113-11 a year later. There were a total of six Century Club performances in those two tournaments.

The entire field will fish again Friday, with only the Top 50 advancing to Saturday. The Top 10 will compete for the trophy and $100,000 first-place prize on Sunday.

Day 1 Standings

1. Taku Ito -- Dalton, GA -- 5, 39-01 -- 103
Day 1: 5 -- 39-01

2. Stetson Blaylock -- Benton, AR -- 5, 37-06 -- 102
Day 1: 5 -- 37-06

3. Kyle Norsetter -- Cottage Grove, WI -- 5, 35-08 -- 101
Day 1: 5 -- 35-08

4. Trey McKinney -- Carbondale, IL -- 5, 33-11 -- 100
Day 1: 5 -- 33-11

5. Justin Hamner -- Northport, AL -- 5, 33-05 -- 99
Day 1: 5 -- 33-05

6. Matty Wong -- Honolulu, HI -- 5, 33-02 -- 98
Day 1: 5 -- 33-02

7. Ben Milliken -- New Caney, TX -- 5, 32-13 -- 97
Day 1: 5 -- 32-13

8. Justin Atkins -- Florence, AL -- 5, 32-11 -- 96
Day 1: 5 -- 32-11

9. Wesley Gore -- Clanton, AL -- 5, 32-02 -- 95
Day 1: 5 -- 32-02

10. Kyle Patrick -- Cooperstown, NY -- 5, 31-15 -- 94
Day 1: 5 -- 31-15

11. Tyler Rivet -- Raceland, LA -- 5, 31-05 -- 93
Day 1: 5 -- 31-05

12. Keith Combs -- Huntington, TX -- 5, 31-04 -- 92
Day 1: 5 -- 31-04

13. Hunter Shryock -- Ooltewah, TN -- 5, 30-11 -- 91
Day 1: 5 -- 30-11

14. Tyler Williams -- Belgrade, ME -- 5, 30-04 -- 90
Day 1: 5 -- 30-04

15. Cory Johnston -- Otonabee, ON -- 5, 29-12 -- 89
Day 1: 5 -- 29-12

16. Will Davis Jr -- Sylacauga, AL -- 5, 29-09 -- 88
Day 1: 5 -- 29-09

17. Kyoya Fujita -- Yamanashi, JAPAN -- 5, 29-06 -- 87
Day 1: 5 -- 29-06

18. Derek Hudnall -- Zachary, LA -- 5, 29-05 -- 86
Day 1: 5 -- 29-05

19. Brandon Card -- Salisbury, NC -- 4, 28-05 -- 85
Day 1: 4 -- 28-05

20. Cooper Gallant -- Bowmanville, ON -- 4, 28-04 -- 84
Day 1: 4 -- 28-04

21. Brandon Lester -- Fayetteville, TN -- 5, 27-14 -- 83
Day 1: 5 -- 27-14

22. Mark Menendez -- Paducah, KY -- 5, 27-07 -- 82
Day 1: 5 -- 27-07

23. Gregory DiPalma -- Millville, NJ -- 5, 26-09 -- 81
Day 1: 5 -- 26-09

24. Brandon Palaniuk -- Rathdrum, ID -- 5, 26-02 -- 80
Day 1: 5 -- 26-02

25. Jacob Foutz -- Charleston, TN -- 5, 26-01 -- 79
Day 1: 5 -- 26-01

25. Frank Talley -- Belton, TX -- 5, 26-01 -- 79
Day 1: 5 -- 26-01

27. JT Thompkins -- Myrtle Beach, SC -- 5, 25-13 -- 77
Day 1: 5 -- 25-13

28. Drew Cook -- Cairo, GA -- 5, 25-12 -- 76
Day 1: 5 -- 25-12

29. Jonathan Kelley -- Old Forge, PA -- 5, 25-10 -- 75
Day 1: 5 -- 25-10

30. Wes Logan -- Springville, AL -- 5, 25-05 -- 74
Day 1: 5 -- 25-05

30. Alex Redwine -- Blue Ash, OH -- 5, 25-05 -- 74
Day 1: 5 -- 25-05

32. Matt Arey -- Shelby, NC -- 5, 25-00 -- 72
Day 1: 5 -- 25-00

33. Paul Mueller -- Naugatuck, CT -- 5, 24-11 -- 71
Day 1: 5 -- 24-11

34. Seth Feider -- New Market, MN -- 5, 24-08 -- 70
Day 1: 5 -- 24-08

35. Scott Martin -- Clewiston, FL -- 5, 24-01 -- 69
Day 1: 5 -- 24-01

35. Jacob Powroznik -- North Prince George, VA -- 5, 24-01 -- 69
Day 1: 5 -- 24-01

37. Pat Schlapper -- Eleva, WI -- 5, 23-13 -- 67
Day 1: 5 -- 23-13

37. Jason Williamson -- Aiken, SC -- 5, 23-13 -- 67
Day 1: 5 -- 23-13

39. Chad Pipkens -- Dewitt, MI -- 5, 23-11 -- 65
Day 1: 5 -- 23-11

40. Logan Parks -- Auburn, AL -- 5, 23-04 -- 64
Day 1: 5 -- 23-04

41. Greg Hackney -- Gonzales, LA -- 5, 23-02 -- 63
Day 1: 5 -- 23-02

41. Jamie Hartman -- Newport, NY -- 5, 23-02 -- 63
Day 1: 5 -- 23-02

43. KJ Queen -- Catawba, NC -- 5, 22-15 -- 61
Day 1: 5 -- 22-15

44. Caleb Sumrall -- New Iberia, LA -- 5, 22-12 -- 60
Day 1: 5 -- 22-12

45. John Crews Jr -- Salem, VA -- 5, 22-09 -- 59
Day 1: 5 -- 22-09

46. Brad Whatley -- Bivins, TX -- 5, 22-00 -- 58
Day 1: 5 -- 22-00

47. Hank Cherry Jr -- Lincolnton, NC -- 5, 21-15 -- 57
Day 1: 5 -- 21-15

47. Chris Zaldain -- Fort Worth, TX -- 5, 21-15 -- 57
Day 1: 5 -- 21-15

49. Michael Iaconelli -- Pitts Grove, NJ -- 5, 21-14 -- 55
Day 1: 5 -- 21-14

50. Luke Palmer -- Coalgate, OK -- 5, 21-11 -- 54
Day 1: 5 -- 21-11

51. Bryan Schmitt -- Deale, MD -- 5, 21-10 -- 53
Day 1: 5 -- 21-10

52. Matt Herren -- Ashville, AL -- 5, 21-09 -- 52
Day 1: 5 -- 21-09

52. Jay Przekurat -- Plover, WI -- 5, 21-09 -- 52
Day 1: 5 -- 21-09

54. Jordan Lee -- Cullman, AL -- 5, 21-05 -- 50
Day 1: 5 -- 21-05

55. Shane LeHew -- Catawba, NC -- 5, 21-04 -- 49
Day 1: 5 -- 21-04

56. Mike Huff -- London, KY -- 5, 21-03 -- 48
Day 1: 5 -- 21-03

57. Bryan New -- Leesville, SC -- 5, 21-02 -- 47
Day 1: 5 -- 21-02

58. Drew Benton -- Panama City, FL -- 5, 20-15 -- 46
Day 1: 5 -- 20-15

58. Kyle Welcher -- Valley, AL -- 5, 20-15 -- 46
Day 1: 5 -- 20-15

60. Jeff Gustafson -- Kenora, ON -- 5, 20-14 -- 44
Day 1: 5 -- 20-14

61. Kenta Kimura -- Osaka, JAPAN -- 5, 20-12 -- 43
Day 1: 5 -- 20-12

62. John Garrett -- Union City, TN -- 4, 20-11 -- 42
Day 1: 4 -- 20-11

63. Timothy Dube -- Nashua , NH -- 5, 20-09 -- 41
Day 1: 5 -- 20-09

64. Steve Kennedy -- Auburn, AL -- 5, 20-07 -- 40
Day 1: 5 -- 20-07

65. Bob Downey -- Detroit Lakes, MN -- 5, 20-06 -- 39
Day 1: 5 -- 20-06

66. David Gaston -- Sylacauga, AL -- 5, 20-01 -- 38
Day 1: 5 -- 20-01

66. Chris Johnston -- Otonabee, ON -- 5, 20-01 -- 38
Day 1: 5 -- 20-01

66. Brock Mosley -- Collinsville, MS -- 5, 20-01 -- 38
Day 1: 5 -- 20-01

69. Clark Wendlandt -- Leander, TX -- 5, 20-00 -- 35
Day 1: 5 -- 20-00

70. Jason Christie -- Dry Creek, OK -- 5, 19-14 -- 34
Day 1: 5 -- 19-14

71. Jake Whitaker -- Hendersonville, NC -- 5, 19-13 -- 33
Day 1: 5 -- 19-13

72. Rick Clunn -- Ava, MO -- 5, 19-11 -- 32
Day 1: 5 -- 19-11

73. Brandon Cobb -- Greenwood, SC -- 5, 19-10 -- 31
Day 1: 5 -- 19-10

74. Scott Canterbury -- Odenville, AL -- 5, 19-05 -- 30
Day 1: 5 -- 19-05

75. Todd Auten -- Clover, SC -- 5, 19-03 -- 29
Day 1: 5 -- 19-03

76. John Cox -- Debary, FL -- 5, 19-00 -- 28
Day 1: 5 -- 19-00

76. Bernie Schultz -- Gainesville, FL -- 5, 19-00 -- 28
Day 1: 5 -- 19-00

78. Joseph Webster -- Hamilton, AL -- 5, 18-12 -- 26
Day 1: 5 -- 18-12

79. Patrick Walters -- Eutawville, SC -- 5, 18-06 -- 25
Day 1: 5 -- 18-06

80. Ray Hanselman Jr -- Del Rio, TX -- 5, 17-07 -- 24
Day 1: 5 -- 17-07

81. Bill Lowen -- Brookville, IN -- 5, 17-03 -- 23
Day 1: 5 -- 17-03

82. Austin Felix -- Eden Prairie, MN -- 5, 16-14 -- 22
Day 1: 5 -- 16-14

83. Clent Davis -- Montevallo, AL -- 5, 16-13 -- 21
Day 1: 5 -- 16-13

84. Matt Robertson -- Kuttawa, KY -- 5, 16-08 -- 20
Day 1: 5 -- 16-08

85. Logan Latuso -- Gonzales, LA -- 4, 15-06 -- 19
Day 1: 4 -- 15-06

86. Buddy Gross -- Chattanooga, TN -- 4, 14-13 -- 18
Day 1: 4 -- 14-13

87. Cole Sands -- Calhoun , TN -- 5, 14-10 -- 17
Day 1: 5 -- 14-10

88. Koby Kreiger -- Alva, FL -- 5, 13-11 -- 16
Day 1: 5 -- 13-11

89. Bryant Smith -- Roseville, CA -- 4, 13-01 -- 15
Day 1: 4 -- 13-01

90. Cody Huff -- Ava, MO -- 4, 12-01 -- 14
Day 1: 4 -- 12-01

91. John Soukup -- Sapulpa, OK -- 3, 11-12 -- 13
Day 1: 3 -- 11-12

92. Marc Frazier -- Newnan, GA -- 3, 11-00 -- 12
Day 1: 3 -- 11-00

93. Cliff Prince -- Palatka, FL -- 3, 09-06 -- 11
Day 1: 3 -- 09-06

94. David Mullins -- Mt Carmel, TN -- 3, 08-06 -- 10
Day 1: 3 -- 08-06

95. Lee Livesay -- Longview, TX -- 3, 08-04 -- 9
Day 1: 3 -- 08-04

96. Carl Jocumsen -- Queensland, AUS -- 2, 08-03 -- 8
Day 1: 2 -- 08-03

97. Gerald Swindle -- Guntersville, AL -- 3, 08-00 -- 7
Day 1: 3 -- 08-00

98. Caleb Kuphall -- Mukwonago, WI -- 3, 07-13 -- 6
Day 1: 3 -- 07-13

99. Joey Cifuentes III -- Clinton, AR -- 3, 07-11 -- 5
Day 1: 3 -- 07-11

100. Clifford Pirch -- Payson, AZ -- 2, 06-08 -- 4
Day 1: 2 -- 06-08

101. Ed Loughran III -- Richmond, VA -- 1, 05-15 -- 3
Day 1: 1 -- 05-15

102. Alex Wetherell -- Middletown, CT -- 1, 04-02 -- 2
Day 1: 1 -- 04-02

103. Robert Gee -- Knoxville, TN -- 1, 02-09 -- 1
Day 1: 1 -- 02-09