{"id":355,"date":"2025-03-06T00:50:47","date_gmt":"2025-03-06T00:50:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thebasshog.com\/blog\/?p=355"},"modified":"2025-03-06T00:50:47","modified_gmt":"2025-03-06T00:50:47","slug":"palaniuk-claims-sixth-bassmaster-elite-win-at-lake-okeechobee","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thebasshog.com\/blog\/palaniuk-claims-sixth-bassmaster-elite-win-at-lake-okeechobee\/","title":{"rendered":"Palaniuk claims sixth Bassmaster Elite win at Lake Okeechobee"},"content":{"rendered":"

March 2, 2025<\/span><\/p>\n

OKEECHOBEE, Fla. \u2014\u00a0\u00a0The gift that kept on giving finally stopped giving. Thankfully, that gift had given enough for\u00a0Brandon Palaniuk<\/a>\u00a0to cruise across the finish line with a four-day total of 95 pounds, 4 ounces in the\u00a0Champion Power Equipment Bassmaster Elite at Lake Okeechobee<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s so crazy how things happen for a reason,\u201d Palaniuk said of a slow day that tested his resolve. \u201cThis morning, me and (seventh-place\u00a0Greg DiPalma<\/a>) were fishing next to one another and I watched him lose several big ones. I hate that and I love it, at the same time.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t wish that upon anyone, but if he would have caught those, I would have been sweating bullets. I could not get a bite, and then I just kept sticking with it and picking off one here and there.\u201d<\/p>\n

Starting strong with a third-place, first-round limit of 23-7, the pro from Rathdrum, Idaho, moved into the Day 2 lead by sacking up 34-10 \u2014 his personal best and the heaviest bag weighed in a Bassmaster Elite at Lake Okeechobee. That feat sent Palaniuk into Day 3 with a 9-12 lead over Day 1 leader DiPalma.<\/p>\n

On Semifinal Saturday, the fish shied from the previous days\u2019 pressure. Enduring a few painful losses and a close call that sent a big crankbait colliding with his face (no serious injury), Palaniuk caught 23 pounds and expanded his lead to an 18-3 advantage over Day 1 leader Greg DiPalma.<\/p>\n

Palaniuk, a two-time\u00a0Progressive Bassmaster Angler of the Year<\/a>, endured a stingy Day 4 and sealed the deal with a final-round limit of 14-3. Edging\u00a0John Garrett<\/a>\u00a0by 15-13 \u2014 the fourth-largest winning margin in Bassmaster Elite history and Palaniuk\u2019s second double-digit win (also his first\u00a0Elite win at Bull Shoals, 2012<\/a>) \u2014 he collected the $102,000 top prize and his sixth blue trophy.<\/p>\n

All week, Palaniuk has camped in a small stretch of the C-41A Canal, which flows southeast from Lake Istokpoga. The key location was a ridge with an adjacent trench passing between the high spot and the riprap bank.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think the biggest thing was this spot had deep water and spawning areas nearby and it allowed those fish to funnel through and replenish every day,\u201d Palaniuk said. \u201cThe structure set up right for them to position and funnel into there.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn the back of that trough was a flat that came off the bank. That created an area where those big females could get sun, and there was tons of bait that they could feed on.\u201d<\/p>\n

The final round started slowly for Palaniuk, as the early afternoon found him with only four fish for less than 10 pounds. Losing a key fish sent him huddling to his deck, but Palaniuk recomposed himself, got back to work and ended his day with a 5 1\/2-pounder that crushed his Clutch The Boss glidebait.<\/p>\n

After the first day\u2019s weigh-in, Palaniuk noted that he cycled through a wide array of baits to determine what would trigger the fish. As the week went on, he dialed in a few key performers, including the Megabass Kanata jerkbait, a prototype Megabass crankbait and the hulking\u00a0Megabass Big M 4.0<\/span>.<\/p>\n

He also caught fish on a KGB glidebait, a Neko-rigged green-pumpkin Zoom Magnum Finesse Worm, and an XZone Lures Muscle Back Craw punched through a hyacinth mat.<\/p>\n

Reviewing this week\u2019s accomplishment, Palaniuk said marking a half dozen Elite victories has stoked his fire for future achievement.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re not done yet,\u201d Palaniuk said. \u201cI\u2019m 15 years into it; I figure I have at least that many more. I feel like we\u2019re just getting started.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hailing from Union City, Tenn., Garrett finished second with 79-7. After tying\u00a0Chris Zaldain<\/a>\u00a0for 62nd place on Day 1 with 10-8, Garrett bolted into 12th place with a Day 2 limit of 22-7.<\/p>\n

Adding 23-3 on Semifinal Saturday, Garrett rose to fourth before closing the event with a final limit of 23-5. Coming off a fourth-place finish at last week\u2019s\u00a0FXR Pro Fish Bassmaster Elite at St. Johns River<\/a>, Garrett anchored his Day 4 bag with a 7-4.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis Florida swing has been absolutely unbelievable,\u201d Garrett said. \u201cMost of the time when I\u2019m in Florida I take a righthand turn, and I was supposed to take a left, but every decision I\u2019ve made the past two weeks has been the right one.\u201d<\/p>\n

Garrett fished a black and blue Strike King Hack Attack Swim Jig with a Strike King Rage Scounbug trailer and a Texas-rigged black and blue Strike King Rage Bug. He used the former in shallow water to locate aggressive fish, while the latter handled his flipping duties in deeper spots.<\/p>\n

Kyoya Fujita<\/a>\u00a0of Yamanashi, Japan, took third with 77-4. His daily weights were 18-0, 11-15, 25-13 and 21-8.<\/p>\n

Fujita did most of his work in the Rim Canal. On Day 4, he stayed east of the Taylor Creek area.<\/p>\n

\u201cI fished the canal because I practiced in the lake and everything had changed (from his previous visit in 2023),\u201d Fujita said. \u201cI found my fish on Livescope and fished a jighead minnow with a Jackall Driftfry and Deps Sakamata Shad.<\/p>\n

David Gaston<\/a>\u00a0of Sylacauga, Ala., won the $2,000 award for\u00a0Phoenix Boats<\/a>\u00a0Big Bass honors with an 11-8. Gaston\u2019s catch is the largest fish caught at Lake Okeechobee in Bassmaster Elite history. That fish also ranks as the 10th<\/sup>-biggest and the 75th double-digit bass in Elite Series history.<\/p>\n

Bernie Schultz<\/a>\u00a0of Gainesville, Fla., won the $1,000 BassTrakk Contingency award. Garrett won the $1,000 award for leading the Progressive Angler of the Year standings.<\/p>\n

Palaniuk won the $2,000\u00a0Rapala Crush City<\/a>\u00a0Monster Bag award for his Day 2 limit of 34-10.<\/p>\n

Garrett leads the\u00a0Progressive Bassmaster Angler of the Year<\/a>\u00a0standings with 204 points.\u00a0John Cox<\/a>\u00a0of Debary, Fla., is in second with 191, followed by Gaston with 183,\u00a0Bill Lowen<\/a>\u00a0of Brookville, Ind., with 182\u00a0and\u00a0Will Davis Jr<\/a>\u00a0of Sylacauga, Ala., with 182.<\/p>\n

Evan Kung<\/a>\u00a0of Pickering, Canada, leads the\u00a0Dakota Lithium Elite Series Rookie of the Year<\/a>\u00a0standings with 143 points.<\/p>\n

Davis Jr also took home an additional $3,000 for being the highest-placing entrant in the\u00a0Toyota Bonus Bucks<\/a>\u00a0program, while\u00a0DiPalma\u00a0earned $2,000 for being the second-highest placing entrant.<\/p>\n

As part of the\u00a0Yamaha Power Pay<\/a>\u00a0program, Palaniuk earned an additional $4,000 while Garrett claimed an additional $1,500 for being the second-highest placing entrant. Fujita and Gaston both earned $1,000 for being the third- and fourth-highest placing entrant, respectively.<\/p>\n

Visit Florida<\/a>\u00a0hosted the event.<\/p>\n

2025\u00a0Bassmaster Elite\u00a0Series\u00a0Platinum Sponsor:<\/strong>\u00a0Toyota
\n2025\u00a0<\/strong>Bassmaster Elite\u00a0Series\u00a0<\/strong>Premier Sponsors:\u00a0<\/strong>Bass Pro Shops,\u00a0<\/strong>Dakota Lithium, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Power-Pole, Progressive Insurance, Ranger Boats, Rapala, Skeeter Boats, Yamaha
\n2025\u00a0<\/strong>Bassmaster Elite\u00a0Series<\/strong>\u00a0Supporting Sponsors:\u00a0<\/strong>AFTCO, Daiwa, Garmin, Lew’s, Lowrance, Marathon,\u00a0Triton Boats, VMC<\/p>\n

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About B.A.S.S.<\/strong>
B.A.S.S., which encompasses the Bassmaster tournament leagues, events and media platforms, is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport, providing cutting-edge content on bass fishing whenever, wherever and however bass fishing fans want to use it. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the 500,000-member organization\u2019s fully integrated media platforms include the industry\u2019s leading magazines (Bassmaster<\/em>\u00a0and\u00a0B.A.S.S. Times<\/em>), website (Bassmaster.com<\/a>), TV show, radio show, social media programs and events. For more than 50 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.<\/p>\n

The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Bassmaster Elite Series, St. Croix Bassmaster Opens Series presented by SEVIIN, Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier Series presented by Lowrance, Strike King Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Strike King Bassmaster High School Series, Bassmaster Junior Series, Bassmaster Team Championship, Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series presented by Native Watercraft,\u00a0Bassmaster College Kayak Series, Yamaha Bassmaster Redfish Cup Championship presented by Skeeter\u00a0and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour.<\/p>\n

Connect with #Bassmaster on\u00a0<\/strong>Facebook<\/strong><\/a>,\u00a0<\/strong>Instagram<\/strong><\/a>,\u00a0<\/strong>Twitter<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/strong>TikTok<\/strong><\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Courtesy of BASS, LLC.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

March 2, 2025 OKEECHOBEE, Fla. \u2014\u00a0\u00a0The gift that kept on giving finally stopped giving. Thankfully, that gift had given enough for\u00a0Brandon Palaniuk\u00a0to cruise across the finish line with a four-day total of 95 pounds, 4 ounces in the\u00a0Champion Power Equipment Bassmaster Elite at Lake Okeechobee. \u201cIt\u2019s so crazy how things happen for a reason,\u201d Palaniuk […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":356,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-355","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/thebasshog.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Palaniuk.jpg?fit=1620%2C1080&ssl=1","jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thebasshog.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/355","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thebasshog.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thebasshog.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thebasshog.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thebasshog.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=355"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/thebasshog.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/355\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":357,"href":"https:\/\/thebasshog.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/355\/revisions\/357"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thebasshog.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/356"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thebasshog.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=355"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thebasshog.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=355"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thebasshog.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=355"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}