Elite

Afternoon action with Kelley and Felix

Follow along with Jonathan Kelley and Austin Felix on Day 1 of the 2023 Gamakatsu Bassmaster Elite at Lake Seminole!

Posted on
Photography by
Andy Crawford
Pennsylvania pro Jonathan Kelley was showing more than 19 1/2 pounds on BASSTrakk when we caught up with him on a spawning flat just off one of the channels in Lake Seminole.
A couple of spectators kept close watch on the action.
Kelley was re-rigging to ensure he was ready to battle a bass to the boat.
He was throwing a soft-plastic lure and working it through the grass on the flats.
Not long after we pulled up, Kelley saet the hook …
… but the bass apparently didn’t eat the lure.
Back to work.
Kelley kept all the tools he might need handy on the front deck.
The young pro was looking for any bedding bass that might be on the flat, although he was blind-casting.
Another hook-up …
… and another bass was swung into the boat …
… but obviously it wasn’t going to help out.
Kelley pulled up his trolling motor to move on, but first pulled out a 5-pounder to show off a little …
… and then headed out for new water.
We moved to Austin Felix, who at the time was tied with Kelley for second place with 19-8.
Felix was working a flat about a mile away, and hooked up almost as soon as we pulled up and poled down.
The angler was battling the bass down the side of his boat …
… when the lure popped out of the bass’ mouth.
Felix didn’t pause: He quickly checked his lure and fired it back out.

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