With only three hours of competition left for the 2023 Gamakatsu Bassmaster Elite at Lake Seminole, let’s take a look at who has done what and who might still make a run at this thing. Joey Cifuentes III has had a miserable morning, sprinkled with brief moments of ecstasy. The main ecstatic moment came as the cowboy boated his only big fish of the day weighing an estimated 6- pounds. He’s left that old door we always talk about wide open, but none of his closest competitors to start the day seem to be able to walk through it.
As tough a go of it as Cifuentes has had, at least he’s had big bites. Tyler Rivet and Greg Hackney started the day in 2nd and 3rd, but neither has amassed more than 7- pounds with over half the day gone already. It can bust wide open at any minute for these two though, and it’s going to need to for them to have a chance.
Pat Schlapper has made the most waves, with a quick 20-pound limit this morning to jump from 9th to 3rd. Kyoya Fujita has come the closest to Cifuentes, with the Phoenix Boats Big Bass of 7- pounds and four fish total for 15 pounds, 12 ounces. He’s 8 pounds back of the leader but could catch up immediately with a 4-pounder and 5-pounder. If Cifuentes can boat another big bass, things will look a lot different. But right now, several anglers still have a great shot at this one.
