Elite

Murray Elite social media roundup

Posted on
Captions by
Shaye Baker
The 2023 Marathon Bassmaster Elite at Lake Murray is set to begin in just a few hours. First, let’s take a look at what the anglers have been up to this past week and how the fishing is going out on the lake.
Mike Iaconelli got a little time in at the SJBCA Fisherman’s Flea Market before hitting the road and heading to Lake Murray.
“The Ike Foundation was there selling some stuff and spreading the word about getting kids fishing!”
Jacob Foutz decided to hunt a bird down just prior to this next Elite, as did many of our anglers.
Time to roll into Murray and get back to work though. Team Jocumsen has setup shop.
Carl Jocumsen is coming off his first Bassmaster Classic appearance, and eager to return in 2024.
Hunter Shryock and his crew getting setup for the week as well.
Josh Douglas is doing the same. Several of the Elite anglers choose to forgo the hotels in exchange for a little more normalcy, with a rolling house on wheels.
Kenta Kimura and his crew is feeling the pressure, or at least gauging it. After the first two Elite Series events, Kenta is sitting in the middle of the pack in points and looking to move up.
Hank Cherry doing a little last minute tackle prep before practice gets underway.
Mark Menendez rolled into town, to the tune of a torrential downpour.
The weather has been all over the place this week, but it’s not getting John Crews and the gang down…
… as the guys enjoy a meal and capture a double rainbow.
Now it’s time to get to business. The lake has been off-limits. Official practice starts now.
South Carolina native Jason Williamson dumps his boat in, one of several local favorites predicted to do well here this week.
Caleb Sumrall has the cold weather gear on.
Luke Palmer does the same on the first day of practice. Unseasonably cold wether the last week saw several nights of frost.
It’s pretty as can be at times too though.
Carl Jocumsen with a new look at the running and gunning going on during practice. Many anglers will be targeting bass relating to blue back herring this week. These fish are always on the move, so the anglers have to be as well.
Brandon Lester comes upon a public service announcement.
Paul Mueller catches a big one.
It’s the wrong kind, but no doubt put up one heck of a fight.
Luke Palmer with a striped bass. Murray has very few spotted bass, but the largemouth in this lake do have to compete with these stripe for food.
Now we’re talking. Carl Jocumsen with a Lake Murray stud.
Long and lean for this one from Derek Hudnall. Most of the bass on Murray are post-spawn now, having just wrapped up their bedding process in the last couple weeks.
Paul Mueller with a healthy looking one though. No doubt there are still a few pre-spawn and spawning fish in these waters.
Matt Robertson with another big one.
And we leave you with a few beautiful shots of the lake.
The fish will be a little difficult to peg down this week, but Brandon Card has overcome a lot to be sitting on the shores of Lake Murray taking in this view, and passing it along to us to enjoy with him.
Only a few hours left now, and the 2023 Marathon Bassmaster Elite at Lake Murray will be underway.
Tune in to Bassmaster.com to catch all the action beginning at 7AM Eastern.

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