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Britt Myers of Lake Wylie, S.C., leads on the second day of the Huk Performance Fishing Bassmaster Elite at Winyah Bay presented by GoRVing, bringing 21 pounds, 7 ounces to the scales on Friday for a two-day total weight of 37-15. 

                                                        Photo by Gary Tramontina/Bassmaster

GEORGETOWN, S.C. — Britt Myers fully understands the amount of risk that comes with making a near two-hour boat run to access his fishing spots, but today it paid off in a big way.

Myers of Lake Wylie, S.C., brought in a heavy five-bass limit that weighed 21 pounds, 7 ounces, which catapulted him into the lead with a two-day total of 37-15 during the Huk Performance Fishing Bassmaster Elite at Winyah Bay presented by GoRVing.

After a weather delay on Thursday, Friday’s take-off was on time and preceded a beautiful spring day that produced some impressive bass.

Kelly Jordon of Flint, Texas, weighed the heaviest limit of the tournament so far with 24-7 pushing his two-day total to 32-12. Brett Hite of Phoenix, Ariz., is in third with 32-2, while Keith Combs of Huntington, Texas, is holding down fourth place with 26-1. Randall Tharp of Port St. Joe, Fla., round out the Top 5 with 25-8.

With two days remaining, Myers won’t divulge specific details yet, but he is confident that the right bass will still be where he’s fishing for at least one more day.

“After a good day on Thursday, I really zeroed in on a specific area that was holding a lot of big bass,” Myers said. “I found this spot during practice, but I wasn’t really sure of the fish quality because I avoided setting the hook hoping the same fish would bite again once the tournament began.”

Myers was targeting bass in deep and shallow water, bass that were spawning and bass that were just roaming. But the tide impacted which particular group of fish he focused on, and when he targeted them.

“Today it was all about the timing,” he said. “When the tide was perfect, the biggest fish would eat, which I figured out on Thursday. I capitalized on what I learned today, and I really think I can put myself into position to do it again tomorrow — and hopefully on Sunday for the win.”

Myers believes that if he can catch 13 to 14 pounds each of the final two days, he should be able to claim the championship. However, after Jordon brought in 24-7 during Friday’s weigh-in, it’s hard to predict what might happen.

Jordon had the kind of day that a tournament bass fisherman dreams about.

“I’m the type of angler who swings for the fence at every event,” Jordon said. “It’s cost me big time in the past, but today it definitely paid off. So much of the success in this sport hinges on simple decisions, and I learned something valuable yesterday that made me think I could replicate it again today.”

On Thursday, Jordan weighed only one big bass for 8-5, which revealed what he thought might be a workable pattern. That gut feeling helped put the Texas angler in second place leading into Saturday’s semi-final round.

“I am going to fish the same pattern again tomorrow,” he said. “But, it’s hard to say whether the same caliber fish will bite or not. Because this fishery is so expansive, once you decide where you’re going to fish, you’re pretty much committed. I’m going to gamble and see if I can do it again.”

Hite said that the Winyah Bay area reminded him of the California Delta, which is one of his favorite fisheries.

“I was confident that this event would play out much like a tournament on the California Delta, but you really can’t be sure until you catch some fish,” Hite said. “I found an area that had very similar characteristics to what I’d look for out West, and it’s holding a big school of nice fish.”

Hite is confident that his pattern will hold up for a couple more days. He is one of the many anglers who are making a long run to access prime waters, which naturally comes with risk of travel delays.

“So far the traveling aspect of this tournament has been a breeze, which really keeps me confident in making good decisions and staying on the right fish,” he said. “That kind of confidence doesn’t come easy, but it helps tremendously. I’m excited to see how Saturday shapes up.”

After Saturday’s semi-final round, the Top 12 anglers will advance to Championship Sunday for a shot at the $100,000 prize.

Myers also earned the Livingston Lures Leader award of $500 for leading the second day of the event.

Daily take-offs are scheduled for 7 a.m. ET at the Carroll Ashmore Campbell Marine Complex, with weigh-ins scheduled at the same location at 3:30 p.m.

2016 Bassmaster Elite Series Premier Sponsors: Toyota, Berkley, Huk, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Skeeter Boats, Triton Boats, Yamaha, GoPro,

2016 Bassmaster Elite Series Supporting Sponsors: Carhartt, Dick Cepek Tires & Wheels, Livingston Lures, Lowrance, Power-Pole, Rapala, Shell Rotella, Shimano, Academy Sports + Outdoors, A.R.E. Truck Caps

About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S. 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’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), television show (The Bassmasters on ESPN2), social media programs and events. For more than 45 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 Bassmaster Elite Series, Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Open Series, B.A.S.S. Nation, Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Costa Bassmaster High School Series, Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro.

Carl Jocumsen of Queensland, Australia, took the lead on the first day of the Huk Performance Fishing Bassmaster Elite at Winyah Bay presented by GoRVing, bringing 19 pounds, 11 ounces to the scales on Thursday. 

                                                    Photo by Gary Tramontina/Bassmaster

GEORGETOWN, S.C. — A near two-hour boat ride to the Cooper River just outside of Charleston, S.C., was a risk worth taking for Australian angler Carl Jocumsen on the first day of the Huk Performance Fishing Bassmaster Elite at Winyah Bay presented by GoRVing.

After a one-hour weather delay due to a thin line of quickly moving thunderstorms, Jocumsen endured a one-hour, 45-minute boat ride to access his prime fishing locations. Upon arrival, he was restricted to only three hours of fishing before having to make a return trip to the weigh-in site in Georgetown.

The risky ride paid off for Jocumsen, as he currently leads the field of 109 anglers with a limit of five bass that weighed 19 pounds, 11 ounces. Local favorite Britt Myers of Lake Wylie, S.C., is in second place with 16-8, while Matt Herren of Ashville, Ala., is holding down third with 14-6.

Keith Combs of Huntington, Texas, is in fourth with 13-13, and Randall Tharp of Port St. Joe, Fla., is in fifth with 13-11.

Jocumsen, who lives in Frisco, Texas, during the tournament season, was concerned about making such a long run to fish the river system. But, after returning to the scales with 10 minutes to spare, he’s much more comfortable with his circumstances. He nicely augmented Thursday’s limit with two big bass, one was just shy of 7 pounds and the second tipped the scales at 7-3.

“I believe my fishing will remain productive,” Jocumsen said. “I can see the fish on my sonar, so I know they are there. The challenge is getting them to bite during the short window that I have to fish before making the long run back to the scales. Tidal fisheries are finicky that way — bass often only bite during short periods of the day, which makes it imperative for you to be in the right spot at the right time.”

Jocumsen said that his fishing spot has all the right ingredients to keep him in contention to win, but there are many variables that he must face and overcome.

Well before the tournament officially kicked off Thursday morning, it was predicted that the larger limits of bass would be more abundant on the Cooper River, and that a sizable number of anglers would risk the time-consuming run for a shot at heavier fish.

“Practice was up and down for me, but what I learned was crucial to how today panned out,” Myers said after weighing a limit of bass that was good enough for second place. “I caught them pretty well today, but I was concerned about how I would do after losing an hour this morning because of the weather delay.”

While not yet willing to divulge his specific location or tactics, Myers said his pattern is strong, and if he can keep good fortune on his side and access his fishing spots without trouble, he is confident in remaining consistent.

Herren is in third place and knows he is on the right size bass to stay in the hunt.

“I didn’t do anything special today, but I know there is a solid limit of fish to be caught where I’m fishing; I just need to stay in front of the changing tide,” said Herren, who ran only about half as far as Jocumsen or Myers. “I really like this kind of tournament. The conditions are tough and the fish are spread out, but I like the fact that the entire field is dealing with the same variables — it really levels the playing field.”

Each of the Top 3 anglers said that during a tough tournament like this, it’s not uncommon to see more pressure near the leaders’ fishing spots during the second day. Pressure like that can make it more difficult to stay consistent.

Also, when anglers are making such a long run, they risk mechanical failure, empty gas tanks and a myriad of potential obstacles.

The risks are substantial, but the reward that comes Sunday could certainly offset those risks. The winning angler will receive $100,000.

A full field of anglers will fish again during Friday’s second round. The field will be cut to the Top 51 for Saturday’s semi-final round, with only the Top 12 advancing to Championship Sunday.

Daily take-offs are scheduled for 7 a.m. ET at the Carroll Ashmore Campbell Marine Complex, with weigh-ins scheduled at the same location each afternoon at 3:30 p.m.

2016 Bassmaster Elite Series Premier Sponsors: Toyota, GoPro, Huk, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Skeeter Boats, Triton Boats, Yamaha, Berkley

2016 Bassmaster Elite Series Supporting Sponsors: A.R.E. Truck Caps, Carhartt, Dick Cepek Tires & Wheels, Livingston Lures, Lowrance, Power-Pole, Rapala, Shell Rotella, Shimano, Academy Sports + Outdoors

About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S. 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’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), television show (The Bassmasters on ESPN2), social media programs and events. For more than 45 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 Bassmaster Elite Series, Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Open Series, B.A.S.S. Nation, Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Costa Bassmaster High School Series, Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro.