Vance McCullough – AnglersChannel.com
Photo Courtesy of BASS
Bass afficionados know who Bryan New is. Contrary to his name, New has been around the tournament scene, steadily building his career first as a co-angler, then last year as the Bassmaster Opens Angler of the Year. But given his win at the St Johns River in his first-ever Bassmaster Elite Series tournament, now the whole fishing world knows New’s name.
“A week and a half ago I didn’t have a title sponsor,” shared New behind the Bassmaster stage as he waited to weigh-in on Championship Sunday. “I have no idea what is about to happen,” he continued, voice trembling, knowing that he had a strong shot at winning.
When emcee Dave Mercer called the weight – 26 pounds, 11 ounces – Knew went nuts. So did the delighted, rain-soaked crowd gathered beside the river in Palatka, Florida.
Minutes later it became apparent that New had taken his first Big Blue Trophy in as many attempts, a feat only accomplished by Derek Remitz in his debut 14 years ago.
Starting the day in 6th place New consistently upgraded his weight until he had overcome the more than 5-pound deficit he began with, turning it into a 9-pound, 9-ounce margin of victory.
His total weight was 79-07.
A few main river shell bar bass ate a lipless plug and kept New in contention throughout the week, but his heavyweight beatdown took place in the pads that lined a creek south of Lake George. He pitched a Texas-rigged stick worm to unseen bass that were spawning or thinking about it. Most of his best action came from scattered or isolated pads where he figures increased sunlight made those areas more attractive than shaded waters beneath thicker stands of pads.
Greg Hackney pitched around super shallow cypress tress in Lake George to place runner-up with 69-14 on the week.
Seth Feider caught at least some of his fish in the big river’s numerous canals. He placed 3rd with 69-06.
Budding star Patrick Walters spent the tournament in Rodman Reservoir where he fished a little deeper than many of the sight-fishers who didn’t fare as well in Rodman. His 68-13 total was good for 4th place.
Mark Menendez returned to Elite Series action following a medical hiatus. It was a good week for him. Qualifying for the final round in 10th place, Menendez climbed to 5th by fishing among shallow cypress trees on Crescent Lake.
