Smallmouth Guru Gustafson Takes Lead At Bassmaster Elite On Tennessee River

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — In his tournament experience thus far, Canadian Jeff Gustafson said he had never fished a Southern fishery where smallmouth bass act the same as they do up North.

That changed Thursday when the Canadian pro most people know simply as “Gussy” smashed a limit of mostly smallmouth weighing 17 pounds, 14 ounces, securing a Day 1 lead in the Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite at Tennessee River.

The Keewatin, Ontario, native holds a nearly 4-pound advantage over three-time Elite Series champion Steve Kennedy of Auburn, Ala., who put 14-0 on the scales.

“I’m catching them a way that I love to fish at home,” Gustafson said. “I’m pretty excited to get back out there, and I’m 100% committed to smallmouth. I spent five hours largemouth fishing this afternoon and caught one 2-pounder and a couple shorts.”

Gustafson said he found the spot during the final day of practice. But with the 18-inch minimum size limit for smallmouth on the Tennessee River, he wasn’t sure if the area held the right quality of fish.

He learned quickly on Thursday that it did, landing a limit of smallmouth by 9:30 a.m. in an area with several other competitors close by.

“It was one of the toughest practices I’ve ever had, and I found a little something yesterday and I didn’t catch big fish like that,” he said. “I didn’t know if I could get a keeper; the 18-inch thing is tough.

“My first fish I hooked this morning was 17 7/8 inches. Then I caught another short and another short, and then the next three I got were keepers. It worked out.”

The bass Gustafson located are in about 20 feet of water, and he said what he is doing is something a little different than most of his competitors.

“What I’m doing is kind of a unique way of catching them,” he said. “It’s not easy for everyone if you’ve never done it.”

With a weather system expected to arrive Friday that could bring heavy rains for the second round, Gustafson said he isn’t sure how the smallmouth will react.

“They could be gone tomorrow, but I think if I don’t have a lot of company I should be able to catch a few more,” he said. “I think that is just where they are living right now. I’m confident and excited to go again tomorrow. I’m not calling my shot, but I’m going to do that again tomorrow.”

The rest of the field managed to catch mostly largemouth bass in shallow water.

Kennedy said he caught nearly all of his fish on a jig and was fishing painfully slow to get his bites. He added that he broke off a quality fish on a crankbait.

The nine-time Bassmaster Classic qualifier said he had success in dirty water during practice. Then when he arrived at one of his best spots Thursday, he discovered the area had cleared tremendously.

“It was loaded in practice,” Kennedy said. “I got down there this morning and did not get a bite. The water was crystal clear. They weren’t there. I had to punt and just go fishing.

“I’m grinding. It’s not like I’m on them. I only caught five keepers.”

While Kennedy caught all largemouth Thursday, he still expects smallmouth to play during the event. He isn’t sure what the weather will do to his bite on Day 2, especially with the water clarity changing every day.

“When we first got here, the main river was muddy, the pockets were clear and the very backs were muddy,” he said. “By yesterday, the very backs were clear, the midsection of the creeks were muddy and the river started to clear.

“So, I don’t know if I’m going to have any dirty water left. I’m scared to death to do this again.”

John Crews of Salem, Va., secured 13-14 of mostly largemouth to finish Day 1 in third place, 2 ounces behind Kennedy and an ounce ahead of fourth-place Brandon Card. Crews said he was using a mix of reaction baits to catch his bass, with long lulls between bites.

“It seemed like I kept catching one every 45 minutes. You had to beat them down,” Crews said. “I ended up catching four keepers by noon and a couple shorts. I changed techniques and ended up catching a keeper right away. About another 45 minutes later, I caught a big one that weighed 5-7.”

Card anchored his Day 1 bag with a 5-9 largemouth, which was the Phoenix Boats Big Bass of the Day.

The full field will take off from Volunteer Landing at 7 a.m. ET Friday, and the Day 2 weigh-in will begin at 3 p.m. After Friday, only the Top 50 will advance to Saturday’s semifinal round.

The Top 10 anglers will compete on Championship Sunday with a chance at the $100,000 first-place prize.

Live coverage of the event can be streamed on Bassmaster.com and the FOX Sports digital platforms. FS1 will also broadcast live from the tournament beginning at 8 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

The tournament is being hosted by the Visit Knoxville Sports Commission.

2021 Bassmaster Elite Series Platinum Sponsor: Toyota

2021 Bassmaster Elite Series Premier Sponsors: Berkley, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Power-Pole, Ranger Boats, Skeeter Boats, Yamaha

2021 Bassmaster Elite Series Supporting Sponsors: AFTCO, Bass Pro Shops, Garmin, Huk Performance Fishing, Marathon, Rapala

2021 Bassmaster Elite Series Conservation Partner: AFTCO

2021 Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite at Tennessee River Local Host: Visit Knoxville Sports Commission

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 515,000-member 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 Bassmaster Elite Series, Basspro.com Bassmaster Opens Series, TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Series, Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Mossy Oak Fishing Bassmaster High School Series presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors, Bassmaster Team Championship, Bassmaster B.A.S.S. Nation Kayak Series powered by TourneyX and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk

2021 Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite at Tennessee River 2/25-2/28
Tennessee River, Knoxville  TN.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 1

Angler                   Hometown              No./lbs-oz  Pts   Total $$$

1.  Jeff Gustafson         Keewatin Ontario CANADA  5  17-14  100
Day 1: 5   17-14
2.  Steve Kennedy          Auburn, AL               5  14-00   99
Day 1: 5   14-00
3.  John Crews Jr          Salem, VA                5  13-14   98
Day 1: 5   13-14
4.  Brandon Card           Salisbury, NC            5  13-13   97   $1,000.00
Day 1: 5   13-13
5.  Brock Mosley           Collinsville, MS         5  13-00   96
Day 1: 5   13-00
6.  Greg Hackney           Gonzales, LA             5  12-01   95
Day 1: 5   12-01
7.  Ray Hanselman Jr       Del Rio, TX              5  12-00   94
Day 1: 5   12-00
8.  Mark Menendez          Paducah, KY              5  11-11   93
Day 1: 5   11-11
9.  Justin Hamner          Northport, AL            5  11-09   92
Day 1: 5   11-09
10. Brandon Palaniuk       Rathdrum, ID             5  11-06   91
Day 1: 5   11-06
11. Cory Johnston          Cavan CANADA             4  11-03   90
Day 1: 4   11-03
12. Frank Talley           Temple, TX               5  11-02   89
Day 1: 5   11-02
13. Gerald Swindle         Guntersville, AL         5  11-01   88
Day 1: 5   11-01
14. Bill Lowen             Brookville, IN           5  11-00   87
Day 1: 5   11-00
15. Jake Whitaker          Fairview, NC             4  10-15   86
Day 1: 4   10-15
16. Scott Canterbury       Odenville, AL            5  10-14   85
Day 1: 5   10-14
17. Bob Downey             Hudson, WI               5  10-12   84
Day 1: 5   10-12
18. Scott Martin           Clewiston, FL            5  10-07   83
Day 1: 5   10-07
19. Bernie Schultz         Gainesville, FL          4  10-03   82
Day 1: 4   10-03
20. Drew Cook              Cairo, GA                5  10-01   81
Day 1: 5   10-01
21. Clark Wendlandt        Leander, TX              5  09-15   80
Day 1: 5   09-15
22. John Cox               Debary, FL               5  09-14   79
Day 1: 5   09-14
22. Taku Ito               Chiba JAPAN              5  09-14   79
Day 1: 5   09-14
24. David Mullins          Mt Carmel, TN            5  09-13   77
Day 1: 5   09-13
25. Jason Christie         Park Hill, OK            5  09-10   76
Day 1: 5   09-10
26. Keith Combs            Huntington, TX           4  09-10   75
Day 1: 4   09-10
27. Gregory DiPalma        Millville, NJ            5  09-04   74
Day 1: 5   09-04
28. Ed Loughran III        Richmond, VA             5  09-03   73
Day 1: 5   09-03
29. Kenta Kimura           Osaka JAPAN              4  09-03   72
Day 1: 4   09-03
30. Joshua Stracner        Vandiver, AL             5  09-00   71
Day 1: 5   09-00
31. Hunter Shryock         Ooltewah, TN             5  08-15   70
Day 1: 5   08-15
32. Brian Snowden          Reeds Spring, MO         4  08-13   69
Day 1: 4   08-13
33. Brandon Cobb           Greenwood, SC            4  08-11   68
Day 1: 4   08-11
34. Todd Auten             Lake Wylie, SC           4  08-08   67
Day 1: 4   08-08
35. Lee Livesay            Longview, TX             5  08-03   66
Day 1: 5   08-03
36. Pat Schlapper          Eleva, WI                3  08-02   65
Day 1: 3   08-02
37. Patrick Walters        Summerville, SC          5  08-01   64
Day 1: 5   08-01
38. Cliff Prince           Palatka, FL              3  07-11   63
Day 1: 3   07-11
39. Chad Morgenthaler      Reeds Spring, MO         4  07-09   62
Day 1: 4   07-09
40. Matt Robertson         Kuttawa, KY              4  07-03   61
Day 1: 4   07-03
41. Clent Davis            Montevallo, AL           5  07-02   60
Day 1: 5   07-02
42. Caleb Kuphall          Mukwonago, WI            4  07-01   59
Day 1: 4   07-01
43. Jamie Hartman          Newport, NY              4  06-14   58
Day 1: 4   06-14
44. David Fritts           Lexington, NC            4  06-10   57
Day 1: 4   06-10
45. Dale Hightower         Mannford, OK             3  05-11   56
Day 1: 3   05-11
46. Hank Cherry Jr         Lincolnton, NC           3  05-10   55
Day 1: 3   05-10
46. Koby Kreiger           Alva, FL                 3  05-10   55
Day 1: 3   05-10
48. Robbie Latuso          Gonzales, LA             2  05-10   53
Day 1: 2   05-10
49. Seth Feider            New Market, MN           3  05-09   52
Day 1: 3   05-09
50. Clifford Pirch         Payson, AZ               3  05-07   51
Day 1: 3   05-07
51. Chad Pipkens           Dewitt, MI               3  05-00   50
Day 1: 3   05-00
52. Bill Weidler           Helena, AL               3  04-15   49
Day 1: 3   04-15
53. Buddy Gross            Chickamauga, GA          2  04-15   48
Day 1: 2   04-15
54. Derek Hudnall          Denham Springs, LA       3  04-13   47
Day 1: 3   04-13
55. Shane LeHew            Catawba, NC              3  04-11   46
Day 1: 3   04-11
56. Gary Clouse            Winchester, TN           1  04-11   45
Day 1: 1   04-11
57. Marc Frazier           Newnan, GA               2  04-10   44
Day 1: 2   04-10
58. Wes Logan              Springville, AL          3  04-08   43
Day 1: 3   04-08
59. Brandon Lester         Fayetteville, TN         2  04-08   42
Day 1: 2   04-08
59. Caleb Sumrall          New Iberia, LA           2  04-08   42
Day 1: 2   04-08
61. Kyle Welcher           Opelika, AL              3  04-07   40
Day 1: 3   04-07
62. Jay Yelas              Lincoln City, OR         2  04-06   39
Day 1: 2   04-06
63. Austin Felix           Eden Prairie, MN         3  04-05   38
Day 1: 3   04-05
63. Darold Gleason         Many, LA                 3  04-05   38
Day 1: 3   04-05
65. Stetson Blaylock       Benton, AR               3  04-03   36
Day 1: 3   04-03
66. Chris Johnston         Otonabee Ontario CANADA  2  04-01   35
Day 1: 2   04-01
67. Destin DeMarion        Grove City, PA           2  04-00   34
Day 1: 2   04-00
67. Tyler Rivet            Raceland, LA             2  04-00   34
Day 1: 2   04-00
67. Jason Williamson       Wagener, SC              2  04-00   34
Day 1: 2   04-00
70. Paul Mueller           Naugatuck, CT            2  03-12   31
Day 1: 2   03-12
71. Tyler Carriere         Youngsville, LA          1  03-10   30
Day 1: 1   03-10
72. Drew Benton            Blakely, GA              2  03-07   29
Day 1: 2   03-07
72. Kelley Jaye            Dadeville, AL            2  03-07   29
Day 1: 2   03-07
72. Bryan Schmitt          Deale, MD                2  03-07   29
Day 1: 2   03-07
75. Rob Digh               Denver, NC               2  03-03   26
Day 1: 2   03-03
75. Micah Frazier          Newnan, GA               2  03-03   26
Day 1: 2   03-03
77. Shane Lineberger       Lincolnton, NC           1  03-03   24
Day 1: 1   03-03
78. Luke Palmer            Coalgate, OK             1  03-00   23
Day 1: 1   03-00
79. Matt Herren            Ashville, AL             2  02-15   22
Day 1: 2   02-15
79. Mike Huff              Corbin, KY               2  02-15   22
Day 1: 2   02-15
79. Yusuke Miyazaki        Forney, TX               2  02-15   22
Day 1: 2   02-15
82. Kyle Monti             Okeechobee, FL           1  02-13   19
Day 1: 1   02-13
83. Carl Jocumsen          Queensland AUSTRALIA     1  02-11   18
Day 1: 1   02-11
84. Harvey Horne           Bella Vista, AR          1  02-02   17
Day 1: 1   02-02
85. Bryan New              Belmont, NC              1  02-01   16
Day 1: 1   02-01
86. Rick Clunn             Ava, MO                  1  01-13   15
Day 1: 1   01-13
86. Skylar Hamilton        Dandridge, TN            1  01-13   15
Day 1: 1   01-13
86. Brad Whatley           Bivins, TX               1  01-13   15
Day 1: 1   01-13
89. Cody Hollen            Beaverton, OR            1  01-12   12
Day 1: 1   01-12
89. Rick Morris            Lake Gaston, VA          1  01-12   12
Day 1: 1   01-12
89. Garrett Paquette       Canton, MI               1  01-12   12
Day 1: 1   01-12
92. Randy Pierson          Oakdale, CA              1  01-10    9
Day 1: 1   01-10
93. Matt Arey              Shelby, NC               1  01-09    8
Day 1: 1   01-09
93. Brett Preuett          Monroe, LA               1  01-09    8
Day 1: 1   01-09
95. Justin Atkins          Florence, AL             0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
95. Quentin Cappo          Prairieville, LA         0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
95. Chris Groh             Spring Grove, IL         0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
95. KJ Queen               Catawba, NC              0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
95. Randy Sullivan         Breckenridge, TX         0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
95. Chris Zaldain          Fort Worth, TX           0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
———————————————————————–

PHOENIX BOATS BIG BASS
Day
1   Brandon Card             Salisbury, NC       05-09      $1,000.00

———————————————————————–
Totals
Day   #Limits    #Fish      Weight
1        29       300       626-05
———————————-
29       300       626-05

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