Elite

Gussy’s active afternoon on Pickwick

Check in with Jeff Gustafson as he wraps up the afternoon of Day 3 of the 2022 Whataburger Bassmaster Elite at Pickwick Lake!

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Photography by
Andy Crawford
Canadian angler Jeff “Gussy” Gustafson cracked the Top 12 by noon of the third day of the 2022 Whataburger Bassmaster Elite at Pickwick Lake. We found him working offshore off the main river channel.
Gustafson was drifting a submerged island, largely keeping his eyes glued to his electronics.
Every now and then a bass would bite.
This one wasn’t a keeper, but the day’s work there had produced about 15 pounds of bass to help him move up in the ranking.
Fishing so close to the main channel had its challenges, including keeping his balance when large boats pushed large wakes across the island.
Gustafson would drift about 100 yards, and then he would troll back up to the top of the island and drift off the point again.
Australia’s Carl Jocumsen joined him, and the two anglers fished just yards from each other. They chatted as they fished.
It was rare to see Gustafson’s eyes, which were constantly watching his electronics looking for bass.
Finally, he received a quality bite that sent him running off the front deck to get the hook set hard.
The bass showed itself, and was definitely one Gustafson needed.
He finally pulled the bass in. It weighed 4 pounds, culling up Gustafson’s weight more than a pound.
And then it was right back to work, slowly drifting from the high point of the island off the downcurrent point.
Gustafson had to be on his game for bites, as he drifted.
He raised his rod high to get the hook into this bass’ mouth.
It quickly became clear this wasn’t a throwback, and that the fish wasn’t going to go into Gustafson’s livewell without a fight.
Gustafson boat-flipped the bass, and it seemed it was all over …
… but the hook popped out of the 3-pounder’s mouth as it sailed through the air.
Fortunately for Gustafson, momentum carried the fish over the gunnel and into his boat.
It was another key bite, allowing him to cull up a bit.

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