Patrick Walters Claims Resounding Victory at Bassmaster Elite Series
PROSPERITY, S.C. — Walters Secures Fifth Major B.A.S.S. Victory
Despite the overcast skies, Monday brought a stunning victory for Patrick Walters at the Minn Kota Bassmaster Elite event at Lake Murray. On a day that would intimidate many, Walters leveraged it to land a third major Bassmaster Elite Series victory with a four-day total weight of 93 pounds and 15 ounces.
“It’s been an incredible week,” exclaims Walters, elated by his victory. “I didn’t anticipate catching 25 or 26 pounds this week but to accomplish that on the final day is just remarkable.”
A Complete Summary of Walters’ Dominant Performance
The South Carolina-based pro launched his campaign on Day 1 with a bracing catch of 25 pounds, 8 ounces. Despite clearer skies on Days 2 and 3, he added 19-13 and 21-14 respectively, maintaining his lead on the leaderboard. Astonishingly, he reserved his best for the last day, with 26-12 on Championship Monday, earning himself the Rapala CrushCity Monster Bag of the Tournament worth a $2,000 bonus.
The victory marks Walters’ third Blue Trophy win, and he went home with the $102,000 top prize. His final winning margin over Missouri professional Cody Huff was significant at 12 pounds and 11 ounces. The substantial margin made it the third Elite event in a row won by a double-digit margin and the sixth in Elite Series history.
For Walters, his various techniques and wise decisions were key to his success. Throughout the tournament, he targeted blueback herring near the surface using a suite of lures and baits including a Zoom Super Fluke, a Rapala Precision XTreme Jowler 127, and a Clutch Darter glidebait.
Huff and Thompkins Push for Podium
Despite Walters’ dominance, Missouri pro Cody Huff and rookie JT Thompkins gave their all. Huff caught a limit of 25-3 – his best effort in the tournament – while rookie Thompkins, with his daily weights of 21-1, 19-5, 18-9, and 18-14, claimed third place.
Huff was delighted with his fish caught on wakebaits, a flat-side crankbait, and a jighead minnow rig. His excellent performances earned him an additional $3,000 for being the entrant finishing highest in the Toyota Bonus Bucks program.
McKinney Leads in Points Standing
Across the season, McKinney is leading in the Progressive Insurance Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings with 478 points. He’s closely followed by Jordan Lee of Cullman, Alabama in second with 448 points.
The event was a major success for the Bassmaster Elite Series, not just in the superb fishing, but also in terms of the fierce competition on display. It certainly sets the stage for more exciting events to come in the future.
As reported by HERE NEWS Network
