Palmer Boxes 26-03 To Take Top Slot

By B.A.S.S. Communications Staff

CLARENDON COUNTY, S.C. — Building on the momentum he established through a Friday adjustment, Luke Palmer stepped on the gas to sack up a Day-3 limit of 26 pounds, 3 ounces. He took over the lead at the Bassmaster Elite Series event at Santee Cooper Lakes with a three-day total of 70-15.

A fifth-year Elite from Coalgate, Okla., Palmer holds a lead of 3-08 over South Carolina’s Brandon Cobb (67-7) heading into the final day with a $100,000 first-place prize on the line.

“It has been a week; things have finally gone right,” said Palmer, who finished fourth at last year’s Elite at Santee Cooper. “I’ve never led one. It dang sure feels good, I’m not gonna lie about that.”

Palmer placed 10th during Thursday’s opening round with 21-03 and then moved into third with a Friday limit of 23-09.

Friday’s round saw Palmer abandon a bladed jig in favor of flipping a Texas-rigged YUM Wooly Bug with a 3/16- to 5/16-ounce weight. On Saturday, he did most of his work with that bait, along with a YUM Bad Mamma on the same rig.

“Even when you’re struggling, it’s one flip away here,” Palmer said. “I’ve gotten to put those Falcon Rods to work. I’ve gotten to do it my way and I’ve gotten to enjoy it.”

Fishing the southwest side of Lake Marion, Palmer was mainly looking for spawning bass around cypress trees skirted with eelgrass. Gaps between a tree and grass were the most consistent, but Day 2 showed him the need for specificity.

“You gotta find the sweet spot,” he said. “When you find that sweet spot, it’s over. My biggest one this morning, I spent 25 minutes on her. I finally figured out the spot and the angle and once I did, it took me five minutes to catch her.”

Palmer said Sunday’s game plan could find him running new water, with the idea that the fish he caught Saturday were spawners.

“The trees I’m fishing are kind of sporadic,” he said. “I caught one of my fish today off a tree I’ve never fished in my life, and I’ve fished here for four years. I think I need to move around more tomorrow and come across new pairs (of spawning fish). I didn’t move around enough today.”

After two days of mostly dimmer skies and breezy conditions, Day 3 brought a sunny, calm complexion that seemed to favor Palmer’s plan. Despite the ideal setup, Palmer said a slow period prompted him to throw a jerkbait and a drop shot with a YUM Finesse Worm.

“I caught three or four fish (on those baits), so that was crucial for me – one of them was a big one,” Palmer said. “I had a big one come up on the jerkbait and if I could have caught her, it would have been (a big help). Hopefully, that fish is there tomorrow.”

Looking ahead to Sunday’s forecast for thunderstorms and strong winds, Palmer believes his positioning could protect him. Nevertheless, he’s prepared to make a key adjustment to overcome any weather interference.

“We’ll see how it’s going to pan out tomorrow with the wind that’s forecast,” Palmer said. “I might just throw a heavier weight so I can crack ‘em harder.”

Cobb remained in second place after adding 21-08 to his previous two bags that went 21-00 and 24-15.

Having earned Top 10 finishes in the previous three Elite Series events — including a third place at the season opener on Lake Okeechobee — and placing 20th at the Bassmaster Classic, Cobb is riding an unparalleled wave of momentum.

“This is my 10th year of professional fishing and I’ve never had a start like this,” he said. “Everything is going right and when you get on a streak, you have to keep riding it. I’m enjoying every minute.”

Cobb is committed to throwing a wacky-rigged green pumpkin Zoom Fluke Stick around cypress trees. Same as Day 2, he said he only got eight bites, but he’s obviously around the right quality.

“Every day, I think I’m out of fish and then I end up getting two or three big bites,” Cobb said. “I get to go again tomorrow, so hopefully there are at least five big bites to catch because it’s going to take a big bag to win.”

Drew Cook of Cairo, Ga., who won last year’s event, is third with 62-13. He’s had daily weights of 21-13, 17-12 and 23-04. Anchoring his Day-3 bag with a 7-pounder, Cook has spent most of his time sight-fishing – the same way he won in 2022.

When Bassmaster emcee Dave Mercer asked Cook if he believed the general consensus that the Santee Cooper sight-fishing game was virtually done, Cook’s response was emphatic.

“It ain’t over until I say it’s over!” Cook quipped. “There are five left out there – I know, but they’re few and far between.

“I did a whole lot of trolling today and don’t have a whole lot to go to tomorrow. I was fortunate enough to find a 5- and a 7-pounder today. I love this place.”

Cook, the 2019 Bassmaster Rookie of the Year, caught his bass by flipping a Big Bite Baits Fighting Frog and the Big Bite Baits Quarantine Craw that he designed.

Matt Robertson of Kuttawa, Ky., had his toughest day of the week with only two bass that weighed 4-06, falling from first place to ninth.

The 10 remaining anglers will take off at 7 a.m. ET Sunday from John C. Land III Sport Fishing Facility. The weigh-in will be held at the facility at 3 p.m.

Day 3 Standings

1. Luke Palmer -- Coalgate, OK -- 15, 70-15 -- 104
Day 1: 5, 21-03 -- Day 2: 5, 23-09 -- Day 3: 5, 26-03

2. Brandon Cobb -- Greenwood, SC -- 15, 67-07 -- 103
Day 1: 5, 21-00 -- Day 2: 5, 24-15 -- Day 3: 5, 21-08

3. Drew Cook -- Cairo, GA -- 15, 62-13 -- 102
Day 1: 5, 21-13 -- Day 2: 5, 17-12 -- Day 3: 5, 23-04

4. Mark Menendez -- Paducah, KY -- 14, 59-02 -- 101
Day 1: 5, 21-14 -- Day 2: 4, 09-07 -- Day 3: 5, 27-13

5. Brandon Palaniuk -- Rathdrum, ID -- 14, 57-14 -- 100
Day 1: 4, 21-14 -- Day 2: 5, 14-05 -- Day 3: 5, 21-11

6. Paul Mueller -- Naugatuck, CT -- 14, 57-01 -- 99
Day 1: 5, 25-10 -- Day 2: 5, 15-15 -- Day 3: 4, 15-08

7. Jacob Powroznik -- North Prince George, VA 15 -- 55-10 -- 98
Day 1: 5, 18-00 -- Day 2: 5, 20-12 -- Day 3: 5, 16-14

8. Bryant Smith -- Roseville, CA -- 12, 54-09 -- 97
Day 1: 5, 26-15 -- Day 2: 3, 09-10 -- Day 3: 4, 18-00

9. Matt Robertson -- Kuttawa, KY -- 12, 54-04 -- 96
Day 1: 5, 28-01 -- Day 2: 5, 21-13 -- Day 3: 2, 04-06

10. Steve Kennedy -- Auburn, AL -- 13, 52-02 -- 95
Day 1: 5, 17-14 -- Day 2: 5, 22-03 -- Day 3: 3, 12-01

The following anglers did not make the cut and will not fish on Day 4.

11. Bryan Schmitt -- Deale, MD -- 15, 52-00 -- 94 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 14-01 -- Day 2: 5, 18-13 -- Day 3: 5, 19-02

12. David Gaston -- Sylacauga, AL -- 14, 51-11 -- 93 -- $11,000
Day 1: 5, 20-15 -- Day 2: 5, 15-10 -- Day 3: 4, 15-02

13. Hank Cherry Jr -- Lincolnton, NC -- 14, 51-01 -- 92 -- $10,000
Day 1: 4, 09-06 -- Day 2: 5, 22-05 -- Day 3: 5, 19-06

14. Darold Gleason -- Many, LA -- 15, 49-15 -- 91 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 21-08 -- Day 2: 5, 13-05 -- Day 3: 5, 15-02

15. Clifford Pirch -- Payson, AZ -- 14, 49-08 -- 90 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 14-01 -- Day 2: 5, 20-05 -- Day 3: 4, 15-02

16. Ray Hanselman Jr -- Del Rio, TX -- 13, 48-13 -- 89 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 18-13 -- Day 2: 3, 15-10 -- Day 3: 5, 14-06

17. Joshua Stracner -- Vandiver, AL -- 15, 48-12 -- 88 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 20-07 -- Day 2: 5, 19-00 -- Day 3: 5, 09-05

18. Scott Canterbury -- Odenville, AL -- 15, 47-07 -- 87 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 17-12 -- Day 2: 5, 13-11 -- Day 3: 5, 16-00

19. Justin Hamner -- Northport, AL -- 15, 47-06 -- 86 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 09-09 -- Day 2: 5, 20-09 -- Day 3: 5, 17-04

20. Masayuki Matsushita -- Tokoname-Aichi, JAPAN -- 15, 45-14 -- 85 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 19-06 -- Day 2: 5, 15-06 -- Day 3: 5, 11-02

21. Jamie Hartman -- Newport, NY -- 13, 45-06 -- 84 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 18-10 -- Day 2: 5, 12-04 -- Day 3: 3, 14-08

22. Gary Clouse -- Winchester, TN -- 14, 45-05 -- 83 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 17-11 -- Day 2: 4, 14-07 -- Day 3: 5, 13-03

23. Chris Johnston -- Otonabee, ON -- 14, 45-02 -- 82 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 20-01 -- Day 2: 5, 15-04 -- Day 3: 4, 09-13

24. Stetson Blaylock -- Benton, AR -- 14, 45-02 -- 81 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 15-08 -- Day 2: 4, 15-03 -- Day 3: 5, 14-07

25. Cliff Prince -- Palatka, FL -- 15, 45-01 -- 80 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 18-02 -- Day 2: 5, 09-12 -- Day 3: 5, 17-03

26. Bill Lowen -- Brookville, IN -- 15, 45-01 -- 79 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 17-12 -- Day 2: 5, 17-00 -- Day 3: 5, 10-05

27. Drew Benton -- Panama City, FL -- 12, 45-00 -- 78 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 16-03 -- Day 2: 5, 23-05 -- Day 3: 2, 05-08

28. John Cox -- DeBary, FL -- 15, 45-00 -- 77 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 19-08 -- Day 2: 5, 10-15 -- Day 3: 5, 14-09

29. Jason Christie -- Dry Creek, OK -- 13, 44-15 -- 76 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 11-09 -- Day 2: 5, 22-07 -- Day 3: 3, 10-15

30. Scott Martin -- Clewiston, FL -- 14, 44-15 -- 75 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 15-09 -- Day 2: 5, 17-10 -- Day 3: 4, 11-12

31. Cooper Gallant -- Bowmanville, ON -- 15, 44-10 -- 74 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 13-00 -- Day 2: 5, 20-14 -- Day 3: 5, 10-12

32. Matt Arey -- Shelby, NC -- 15, 44-09 -- 73 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 12-05 -- Day 2: 5, 17-01 -- Day 3: 5, 15-03

33. Gregory DiPalma -- Millville, NJ -- 15, 44-03 -- 72 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 11-11 -- Day 2: 5, 16-09 -- Day 3: 5, 15-15

34. Michael Iaconelli -- Pittsgrove, NJ -- 15, 43-14 -- 71 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 15-08 -- Day 2: 5, 13-03 -- Day 3: 5, 15-03

35. Jay Przekurat -- Stevens Point, WI -- 15, 43-08 -- 70 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 16-05 -- Day 2: 5, 14-00 -- Day 3: 5, 13-03

36. Pat Schlapper -- Eleva, WI -- 13, 43-07 -- 69 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 15-01 -- Day 2: 5, 15-04 -- Day 3: 3, 13-02

37. Tyler Rivet -- Raceland, LA -- 15, 43-02 -- 68 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 11-08 -- Day 2: 5, 16-07 -- Day 3: 5, 15-03

38. Chris Zaldain -- Fort Worth, TX -- 13, 42-09 -- 67 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 20-11 -- Day 2: 5, 15-10 -- Day 3: 3, 06-04

39. Joseph Webster -- Hamilton, AL -- 15, 42-07 -- 66 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 19-01 -- Day 2: 5, 11-02 -- Day 3: 5, 12-04

40. Seth Feider -- New Market, MN -- 14, 42-07 -- 65 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 14-07 -- Day 2: 4, 14-06 -- Day 3: 5, 13-10

41. Kyle Welcher -- Opelika, AL -- 13, 42-03 -- 64 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 23-00 -- Day 2: 4, 12-09 -- Day 3: 4, 06-10

42. Jeff Gustafson -- Kenora, ON -- 14, 41-11 -- 63 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 14-15 -- Day 2: 5, 15-15 -- Day 3: 4, 10-13

43. Caleb Kuphall -- Mukwonago, WI -- 12, 40-06 -- 62 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 18-00 -- Day 2: 4, 14-11 -- Day 3: 3, 07-11

44. Brad Whatley -- Bivins, TX -- 12, 39-08 -- 61 -- $10,000
Day 1: 4, 12-04 -- Day 2: 5, 19-11 -- Day 3: 3, 07-09

45. Carl Jocumsen -- Queensland, AUS -- 12, 38-06 -- 60 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 19-10 -- Day 2: 5, 15-04 -- Day 3: 2, 03-08

46. Shane LeHew -- Catawba, NC -- 13, 36-07 -- 59 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 14-11 -- Day 2: 5, 17-03 -- Day 3: 3, 04-09

47. Cole Sands -- Calhoun, TN -- 13, 35-07 -- 58 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 17-13 -- Day 2: 5, 11-03 -- Day 3: 3, 06-07

48. Kyle Norsetter -- Cottage Grove, WI -- 8, 35-00 -- 57 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 24-13 -- Day 2: 2, 07-07 -- Day 3: 1, 02-12

49. Micah Frazier -- Newnan, GA -- 12, 33-08 -- 56 -- $10,000
Day 1: 5, 12-02 -- Day 2: 5, 16-09 -- Day 3: 2, 04-13

50. Taku Ito -- Chiba, JAPAN -- 9, 32-12 -- 55 -- $10,000
Day 1: 4, 18-01 -- Day 2: 5, 14-11 -- Day 3: 0, 00-00