Late-day kicker keeps Schlapper in the lead at the Bassmaster Elite at Sabine River
ORANGE, Texas — Pat Schlapper felt the moment slipping away, but he patiently persevered and found a late-day kicker that kept him in the lead of the MAXAM Tire Bassmaster Elite at the Sabine River.
The Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series pro from Eleva, Wis., took the early lead with a Day 1 limit of 12 pounds, 2 ounces and then remained in the top spot with a second-round bag that went 8-7. Catching a Semifinal Saturday limit of 8-9, Schlapper made it three days straight with a leading total of 29-2.
Coming off a 32nd-place finish last week in the Tackle Warehouse Bassmaster Elite at Lake Fork, Schlapper heads into Championship Sunday with a 14-ounce lead over Kyoya Fujita. Schlapper attributes his Texas success to a rejuvenated perspective.
“It’s been a tough year, but I’ve kinda changed my mindset; I’m trying to have fun and I’m fishing to win,” Schlapper said. “We hear that all the time, but I’m really fishing to win this week.”
Schlapper demonstrated the determination requisite of blue trophy ownership by enduring a lean third day. Round 1 saw him catch all of his fish at a bridge near Taylor Bayou. That structure produced part of his Day 2 limit, with the rest coming from shallow shoreline cover.
Schlapper tried his bridge again on Day 3, but it did not yield any keeper bites.
“I started on some other stuff and then went (to the bridge) and didn’t catch ’em, then I just started fishing the way I did in practice,” Schlapper said. “I’m not counting on the bridge anymore. I’ll fish it tomorrow and think I can still catch some there, but I’m focused on the other way I’m catching them.”
That other pattern simply comprises covering water and flipping shallow habitat features. Schlapper said he’s fishing a mix of natural targets with a Texas-rigged creature bait and a jig.
“It could be grass, it could be wood, it could be a little undercut point,” he said. “I’m just trying to get my bait in front of as many fish as I can.
“It took me all day to get those five keepers,” Schlapper said. “I had six keeper bites and only I caught five of them.”
Grinding through a stingy day, Schlapper found himself with only four fish for a little over 5 pounds at 1 o’clock.
Coming close to missing his Top 10 spot, Schlapper’s day took a dramatic turn when he caught a 3-5 shortly after 1:00. That fish lifted him back into the (unofficial BassTrakk) lead — a point later confirmed at the Day 3 weigh-in.
Confident with his game plan, but aware that his lead is far from safe, Schlapper said Day 4 will mirror his third day’s work.
“I have a good plan for tomorrow,” Schlapper said. “It’s going to be a shootout, but that’s the way I like it; I’m a pretty good shot. I think anyone has a shot to win.
“If you have one of those days like I had the first day, with a couple of those difference makers, that’s all it takes to have a good tournament. I’ve been fortunate to get six quality bites and get them in the boat in this tournament.”
Hailing from Yamanishi, Japan, Fujita is in second place with 28-4. After finding himself in a three-way tie for 18th place with a Day 1 limit of 8-8, Fujita added a second-round bag of 11-3 and rose to third.
Fujita gained one more spot with a Semifinal Saturday limit that went 8-9.
A well-established technology ace, Fujita stressed that he’s not catching his fish off of forward facing sonar. Rather, he’s power fishing with Texas-rigged plastics. He hopes that this strategy will serve him well in the final round.
“I’ll (continue) bank fishing and I hope to catch five big fish tomorrow,” Fujita said.
Cooper Gallant of Bowmanville, Ontario is in third place with 27-10. He placed seventh on Day 1 with 10-2, then added 10-3 a day later and rose to second. Gallant caught 7-5 on Day 3 and slipped to third.
Gallant has been flipping shallow cover with a 3/8-ounce hand-tied flipping jig and a 3/8-ounce Outkast Tackle Cage Feider jig. He fits both with a X Zone Lures Adrenaline Craw Jr.
“Coming into this tournament, I wasn’t sitting very good in (Progressive Bassmaster Angler of the Year) points and I was like, ‘Man, I gotta catch ’em,” Gallant said. “At the same time, I just want to survive to get a Top 50.
“As the week’s gone on, it’s like, ‘Holy smokes, I caught ’em on Day 1. On Day 2, it didn’t look like I was gonna catch ’em and I caught another 10 pounds. Tomorrow, I’ll have a chance to bring a blue trophy back home to Canada and there’s not much more you can ask for.”
John Crews of Salem, Va., is in the lead for Phoenix Boats Big Bass honors with his Day 2 4-14.
Jay Przekurat of Plover, Wis., leads the Progressive Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings with 544 points. Chris Johnston of Otonabee, Canada is in second with 502, followed by Fujita with 495, Trey McKinney of Carbondale, Ill., with 487, and Will Davis Jr. of Sylacauga, Ala., with 480.
Paul Marks of Cumming, Ga., leads the Dakota Lithium Rookie of the Year standings with 435 points.
Sunday’s takeoff is scheduled for 6:30 a.m. CT at City of Orange Boat Ramp. The weigh-in will be held at the same location at 2:30 p.m.
Bassmaster LIVE coverage of the MAXAM Tire Bassmaster Elite at Sabine River will be available on FS1 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. before heading over to Bassmaster.com in the afternoon.
The MAXAM Tire Bassmaster Elite at Sabine River is being hosted by the Greater Orange Area Chamber of Commerce.
2025 Bassmaster Elite Series Platinum Sponsor: Progressive, 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, Triton Boats, VMC, Yokohama
About B.A.S.S.
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 organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), 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.
The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Progressive 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, Bassmaster College Kayak Series, Yamaha Bassmaster Redfish Cup Championship presented by Skeeter and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour.
-30-
Connect with #Bassmaster on Facebook, Instagram, Twitte
Media Contact: Chad Gay, Communications Manager, 256-424-2390, cgay@bassmaster.
2025 MAXAM Tire Bassmaster Elite at Sabine River 5/15-5/18
Sabine River , Orange TX.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 3
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Pat Schlapper Eleva, WI 15 29-02 104 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 12-02 Day 2: 5 08-07 Day 3: 5 08-09
2. Kyoya Fujita Yamanashi CA JAPAN 15 28-04 103
Day 1: 5 08-08 Day 2: 5 11-03 Day 3: 5 08-09
3. Cooper Gallant Bowmanville Ontario CAN 15 27-10 102
Day 1: 5 10-02 Day 2: 5 10-03 Day 3: 5 07-05
4. Kyle Welcher Valley, AL 15 25-14 101
Day 1: 5 07-11 Day 2: 5 07-00 Day 3: 5 11-03
5. John Crews Jr Salem, VA 15 25-01 100 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 05-07 Day 2: 5 12-09 Day 3: 5 07-01
6. David Mullins Mt Carmel, TN 15 24-12 99
Day 1: 5 06-13 Day 2: 5 06-15 Day 3: 5 11-00
7. Taku Ito Dalton GA JAPAN 14 24-11 98
Day 1: 5 11-01 Day 2: 4 05-06 Day 3: 5 08-04
8. Justin Hamner Northport, AL 14 24-07 97
Day 1: 5 10-05 Day 2: 4 05-12 Day 3: 5 08-06
9. Stetson Blaylock Benton, AR 15 24-04 96
Day 1: 5 11-05 Day 2: 5 05-14 Day 3: 5 07-01
10. Patrick Walters Eutawville, SC 15 24-01 95
Day 1: 5 07-06 Day 2: 5 07-02 Day 3: 5 09-09
11. Hunter Shryock Ooltewah, TN 14 24-01 94 $7,000.00
Day 1: 5 08-06 Day 2: 5 07-09 Day 3: 4 08-02
12. Tyler Williams Belgrade, ME 15 24-00 93 $7,000.00
Day 1: 5 09-00 Day 2: 5 07-05 Day 3: 5 07-11
13. Chris Johnston Otonabee Ontario CANADA 15 23-15 92 $7,000.00
Day 1: 5 06-13 Day 2: 5 10-02 Day 3: 5 07-00
14. Easton Fothergill Grand Rapids , MN 15 23-14 91 $7,000.00
Day 1: 5 08-02 Day 2: 5 08-01 Day 3: 5 07-11
15. Bryan New Leesville, SC 13 23-13 90 $8,000.00
Day 1: 5 05-13 Day 2: 4 08-12 Day 3: 4 09-04
16. Clifford Pirch Payson, AZ 15 23-12 89 $6,500.00
Day 1: 5 07-15 Day 2: 5 08-03 Day 3: 5 07-10
17. KJ Queen Catawba, NC 15 23-02 88 $6,500.00
Day 1: 5 05-08 Day 2: 5 11-09 Day 3: 5 06-01
18. Cody Huff Ava, MO 15 23-02 87 $6,500.00
Day 1: 5 06-08 Day 2: 5 08-01 Day 3: 5 08-09
19. Bob Downey Detroit Lakes, MN 15 22-15 86 $6,500.00
Day 1: 5 07-08 Day 2: 5 08-02 Day 3: 5 07-05
20. Bill Lowen Brookville, IN 15 22-11 85 $6,500.00
Day 1: 5 08-07 Day 2: 5 07-03 Day 3: 5 07-01
21. Gregory DiPalma Millville, NJ 14 22-01 84 $6,000.00
Day 1: 4 07-07 Day 2: 5 09-08 Day 3: 5 05-02
22. Austin Felix Eden Prairie, MN 15 22-01 83 $6,000.00
Day 1: 5 08-08 Day 2: 5 07-09 Day 3: 5 06-00
23. Emil Wagner Marietta, GA 15 22-00 82 $6,000.00
Day 1: 5 06-15 Day 2: 5 07-10 Day 3: 5 07-07
24. Robert Gee Knoxville, TN 15 21-12 81 $6,000.00
Day 1: 5 06-00 Day 2: 5 08-02 Day 3: 5 07-10
25. Jay Przekurat Plover, WI 14 21-08 80 $6,000.00
Day 1: 5 10-12 Day 2: 4 05-02 Day 3: 5 05-10
26. Jeff Gustafson Kenora, ON Ontario CANA 15 21-08 79 $5,500.00
Day 1: 5 07-10 Day 2: 5 08-09 Day 3: 5 05-05
27. Logan Parks Auburn, AL 14 21-06 78 $5,500.00
Day 1: 4 06-13 Day 2: 5 07-06 Day 3: 5 07-03
28. Bryan Schmitt Deale, MD 15 21-05 77 $5,500.00
Day 1: 5 07-00 Day 2: 5 07-08 Day 3: 5 06-13
29. Trey McKinney Carbondale, IL 13 21-03 76 $5,500.00
Day 1: 5 07-15 Day 2: 5 08-15 Day 3: 3 04-05
30. Beau Browning Hot Springs National Pa 13 21-01 75 $5,500.00
Day 1: 5 07-04 Day 2: 5 09-15 Day 3: 3 03-14
31. Cliff Pace Ovett, MS 14 21-01 74 $5,500.00
Day 1: 4 07-01 Day 2: 5 05-13 Day 3: 5 08-03
32. Joey Cifuentes III Clinton, AR 14 21-00 73 $5,500.00
Day 1: 5 09-05 Day 2: 5 07-05 Day 3: 4 04-06
33. Luke Palmer Coalgate, OK 15 20-15 72 $5,500.00
Day 1: 5 08-00 Day 2: 5 06-01 Day 3: 5 06-14
34. JT Thompkins Myrtle Beach, SC 13 20-10 71 $5,500.00
Day 1: 5 09-02 Day 2: 5 07-14 Day 3: 3 03-10
35. John Cox Debary, FL 15 20-07 70 $5,500.00
Day 1: 5 06-04 Day 2: 5 08-02 Day 3: 5 06-01
36. Alex Redwine Blue Ash, OH 15 20-04 69 $5,500.00
Day 1: 5 07-01 Day 2: 5 06-14 Day 3: 5 06-05
37. Scott Canterbury Odenville, AL 15 20-03 68 $5,500.00
Day 1: 5 08-08 Day 2: 5 05-12 Day 3: 5 05-15
38. Carl Jocumsen Queensland TN AUSTRALIA 12 20-02 67 $5,500.00
Day 1: 5 09-04 Day 2: 4 07-15 Day 3: 3 02-15
39. Buddy Gross Chattanooga, TN 13 20-02 66 $5,500.00
Day 1: 5 08-03 Day 2: 3 05-02 Day 3: 5 06-13
40. Alex Wetherell Middletown, CT 13 19-13 65 $5,500.00
Day 1: 5 07-09 Day 2: 4 05-08 Day 3: 4 06-12
41. Brandon Lester Fayetteville, TN 13 19-10 64 $5,500.00
Day 1: 5 08-13 Day 2: 5 06-04 Day 3: 3 04-09
42. Lee Livesay Longview, TX 15 19-10 63 $5,500.00
Day 1: 5 07-12 Day 2: 5 06-01 Day 3: 5 05-13
43. Matt Arey Shelby, NC 12 19-06 62 $5,500.00
Day 1: 5 07-00 Day 2: 5 09-07 Day 3: 2 02-15
44. Will Davis Jr Sylacauga, AL 15 19-05 61 $5,500.00
Day 1: 5 07-10 Day 2: 5 05-12 Day 3: 5 05-15
45. David Gaston Sylacauga, AL 13 18-14 60 $5,500.00
Day 1: 5 07-12 Day 2: 5 08-04 Day 3: 3 02-14
46. Dakota Ebare Brookeland, TX 10 16-10 59 $5,500.00
Day 1: 5 09-02 Day 2: 5 07-08 Day 3: 0 00-00
47. Hank Cherry Jr Lincolnton, NC 12 16-05 58 $5,500.00
Day 1: 5 06-08 Day 2: 5 07-06 Day 3: 2 02-07
48. Ben Milliken Omaha, NE 10 16-03 57 $5,500.00
Day 1: 5 10-03 Day 2: 2 02-13 Day 3: 3 03-03
49. Kenta Kimura Osaka OK JAPAN 11 16-03 56 $5,500.00
Day 1: 4 05-15 Day 2: 5 07-13 Day 3: 2 02-07
50. Shane LeHew Catawba, NC 12 15-08 55 $5,500.00
Day 1: 5 06-04 Day 2: 5 06-12 Day 3: 2 02-08
——————————
PHOENIX BOATS BIG BASS
Day
1 Pat Schlapper Eleva, WI 04-05 $1,000.00
2 John Crews Jr Salem, VA 04-14 $1,000.00
3 Bryan New Leesville, SC 04-01 $1,000.00
——————————
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 69 434 664-15
2 62 427 623-01
3 34 215 313-03
——————————
165 1076 1601-03
