Key spot delivers DiPalma’s lead in Bassmaster Elite at Lake Okeechobee
Feb. 27, 2025
OKEECHOBEE, Fla. — Greg DiPalma of Millville, N.J., believes Lake Okeechobee may be one of the nation’s least-explored bass fisheries, but he did his best to change that by sacking up a limit of 29 pounds, 12 ounces to lead Day 1 of the Champion Power Equipment Bassmaster Elite at this Florida powerhouse.
Fishing an atypical area that he found during practice, DiPalma heads into Day 2 with a lead of 3-10 over Will Davis Jr.
“Me and Will were sitting side-by-side, which was pretty special,” DiPalma said. “There were four of us in one area and we all had (big) bags.
“It was an absolutely incredible day. To be leading one of these, to be honest with you, it’s about time! It feels good. It’s gonna feel really good if I can maintain it.”
As DiPalma explained, recent years have seen high water levels choke out much of the Lake Okeechobee vegetation that once created vast bass habitat. With the obvious targets heavily pressured, he knew he needed to find something unique.
“This is probably the most unlocked lake in the country, to be honest with you, because everybody beats the bank here and nobody really goes out in the lake and looks for anything,” DiPalma said. “I think there are key areas in this lake if you can find them, and that was one of them.
“There’s not a lot of contour where we’re fishing, and this is the only area that has a little high spot where they can pull up and feed. I’m guessing maybe that’s part of it. It does have some current flowing through there — not a lot, just a little bit at times.”
DiPalma said his key area has the dingy water tone common to much of the lake. The high point rose to about 4 feet from surrounding depths of 10.
“The key was working together with the other anglers,” DiPalma said. “We just laughed and giggled and caught fish all day.”
Noting that he leaned on a trio of baits to amass his leading weight, DiPalma said he’s eager to give his spot another shot on Day 2.
“There’s definitely some fish in the area; I just hope they stay where they’re at so I can catch them again tomorrow,” DiPalma said.
Hailing from Sylacauga, Ala., Davis is in second place with 26-2. The spot he shared with DiPalma, as well as third-place Brandon Palaniuk, comprised the ideal coming-and-going scenario.
“There’s a lot of hyacinth mats and deep water close to it,” Davis said. “It was just the perfect storm; it was a postspawn/prespawn-type place. There’s a lot of bait in the area.
“There’s more fish around, but they got really educated with (several) of us jacking on them. We might pull up there tomorrow and not get a bite, but if we do, I think the quality is there, and I think we’re going to do good.”
Davis said he threw a mix of moving baits and slower presentations. He caught keepers on both styles.
Looking ahead to Day 2, Davis said he’s comfortable again sharing water with his fellow competitors. In his view, the proximity enhanced the experience.
“It was a blessed day; there was a couple of us fishing around one another and we worked really well together,” Davis said. “It was one of those days you dream about. It was awesome to catch those Okeechobee giants.”
Palaniuk, who makes his home in Rathdrum, Idaho, is in third place with 23-7. In his opinion, the day’s shared productivity was a pleasant surprise.
“It was pretty obvious that we all knew what was going on, but I don’t think any of us knew what was there,” Palaniuk said. “Each one of us caught a big one there in practice and then left. Today, we go to show what it was capable of, but it’s not lights-out.
“I had six bites, Greg might’ve had seven or eight and Will had like seven. It seemed like one guy would get a hot hand.”
Describing a junk-fishing scenario that required each of the neighboring anglers to rotate through several different baits, Palaniuk said he caught his fish on four different baits. Combining camaraderie with competition fueled the necessary cooperation.
“The thing that I’ve learned over the past 15 years is (sharing a spot requires) communication,” Palaniuk said. “The fish catches were special, but being able to work with fellow competitors was pretty amazing.”
DiPalma and Brandon Cobb of Greenwood, S.C., share the lead for Phoenix Boats Big Bass honors, each with bass weighing 8-10.
Jay Przekurat of Plover, Wis., leads the Progressive Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings with 194 points. Patrick Walters of Eutawville, S.C., is in second with 186, followed by Davis with 184, Shane LeHew of Catawba, N.C., with 180, and 2024 Progressive Bassmaster Angler of the Year Chris Johnston of Otonabee, Canada, with 179.
Evan Kung of Pickering, Canada, leads the Dakota Lithium Elite Series Rookie of the Year standings with 156 points.
Friday’s takeoff is scheduled for 7 a.m. ET at C. Scott Driver Park. The weigh-in will be held at the park at 3 p.m.
Visit Florida is hosting the event.
2025 Bassmaster Elite Series Platinum Sponsor: Toyota
2025 Bassmaster Elite Series Premier Sponsors: Bass Pro Shops, Dakota Lithium, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Power-Pole, Progressive Insurance, Ranger Boats, Rapala, Skeeter Boats, Yamaha
2025 Bassmaster Elite Series Supporting Sponsors: AFTCO, Daiwa, Garmin, Lew’s, Lowrance, Marathon, Triton Boats, VMC
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