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Brandon Palaniuk Leads Bassmaster Elite Series Event On The Mississippi River

Category: article

 Jun 20th, 2013 by OutdoorsFIRST 

Modified Jun 20th, 2013 at 12:00 AM

La Crosse, Wisconsin might be renamed Limits-ville after the plethora of limits BassFIRST saw taken across the stage at the Bassmaster Elite Series on the Mississippi out of La Crosse. The biggest limit of the day, 18 pounds 4 ounces, was brought in by Brandon Palaniuk of Rathdrum, Idaho. Palaniuk was the first angler to weigh in today setting the bar high for the rest of the field. Stepping into second with a 16-pound limit was Kevin Hawk from Ramona, California.

	Brandon Palaniuk (Photo BassFIRST)

Rounding out the Top 5 were John Crews from Salem, Virginia with 15 pounds 7 ounces, Cliff Pirch of Payson, Arizona weighing 14 pounds 11 ounces and Brandon Card from Caryville, Tennessee with 14 pounds 9 ounces.

Brandon blessed.

“If I can do what I did today every day, I’d have a very blessed week,” said Palaniuk. “Everything went right today. I caught them good. I got on them early today. I’m very blessed. Things really worked out. I’m using a specific technique, and it is working. I hope it holds for tomorrow. My plan worked well today.”

Hawk slow.

“I had a rough practice,” said Hawk. “I only found one little area that I liked. I fished it really slow today. I only had six bites.”

Crews not complaining.

“I heard a lot of guys complain the bite is not as good as last year,” said Crews. “They are not biting everywhere. They are scattered. I was fortunate to catch a big 4-pounder today. Hopefully I can do it again tomorrow.”

Pirch not sure.

“I wasn’t sure how the fish would reload,” said Pirch. “After seeing all of the limits brought in today, I think it looks good. I’ve got a little something going. I am ready to go at them again tomorrow.”

Here’s a look at the initial Top 12:

1. Brandon Palaniuk: 18-04
2. Kevin Hawk: 16-00
3. John Crews: 15-07
4. Cliff Pirch: 14-11
5. Brandon Card: 14-09
6. (tie) Todd Faircloth: 14-05
6. (tie) Bobby Lane: 14-05
6. (tie) Casey Scanlon: 14-05
9. (tie) Aaron Martens: 14-04
9. (tie) Skeet Reese: 14-04
9. (tie) Fred Roumbanis: 14-04
12. Takahiro Omori: 14-03