“This is a real-life Rocky story,” said emcee Dave Mercer to Brandon Palaniuk on stage at the 2013 Bassmaster Elite Series Evan Williams Bourbon Showdown at St. Lawrence River.
Mercer was referring to Palaniuk blasting out of the gate on the St. Lawrence and leading the four-day tournament wire-to-wire, taking home a trophy after having just been disqualified in what looked like a sure win at the last Elite Series event.
Like Rocky Balboa, Palaniuk went the distance. He had a fire like he’d never had before, he said on stage, and he wanted to win — not just as a matter of personal redemption, but also for the coveted 2014 Bassmaster Classic berth he’d been looking for.
During a B.A.S.S. Twitter chat today, Palaniuk said he’s looking forward to fishing on St. Clair next week for the final event of the 2013 Bassmaster Elite Series tour. He’d be thrilled to take back-to-back victories.
Read the transcript of the chat below. You can see what other pros had to say during their own Twitter chats here.
Keep up with Bassmaster Elite Series pros, get breaking news and share your big bass catches by following @BASS_Nation on Twitter.
Welcome to our Twitter chat with @BrandonPalaniuk! He’s ready for your questions.
Brandon Palaniuk@BrandonPalaniuk
It’s great to be here. I’m looking forward to answering your questions!
What were you using to catch most of your fish and at what depth? I’m voting for you every day for all-stars!
Brandon Palaniuk@BrandonPalaniuk
20-35 feet. We need more people like you!
Congrats on the win and Classic berth. How did you narrow down onto your spot so far from takeoff? Did you have any closer spots?
Brandon Palaniuk@BrandonPalaniuk
No closer spots. When I looked at all the maps, that area was the best looking map I had
ChamplainBass Series @cbsofvermont
How long do you wait before you fizz fish you’ve pulled from deeper water? About how long do you fizz them for?
Brandon Palaniuk@BrandonPalaniuk
I fizz them immediately if I’m keeping that fish. I fizz them until I quit hearing air.
Did any of the fish you weighted in come off a bait other than the drop shot?
Brandon Palaniuk@BrandonPalaniuk
No, I caught every single fish on a drop shot.
The confidence has to be high coming off a win and going to another smallmouth lake. Have you fished St. Clair before?
Brandon Palaniuk@BrandonPalaniuk
Never been to St. Clair but I had never been to the St. Lawrence. Hope to use the momentum.
@BrandonPalaniuk on today and I dont know what to ask….. #thestruggle
Brandon Palaniuk@BrandonPalaniuk
Follow your heart!
I saw on @TackleWarehouse that you’re a fellow wrestler! Now I know where you earned your mental toughness!
Brandon Palaniuk@BrandonPalaniuk
Yes, I carry of lot of wrestling over to my fishing.
Bass Fishing Tips @BassFishnTips
If limited to 5 rod/reel combos to fish entire season, what would they be?
Brandon Palaniuk@BrandonPalaniuk
two 7-6 med-heavy Abu Garcia Veritas, two Elite Tech drop shot, one 7 med Abu Garica Veracity
Bass Fishing Tips @BassFishnTips
If limited to 5 baits/lures to fish entire season, what would they be?
Brandon Palaniuk@BrandonPalaniuk
Storm Arashi, Berkley Havoc Pit Boss, Bottom Hopper, 1/2 Terminator spinnerbait and a 3/8 Terminator flipping jig
Bass Fishing Tips @BassFishnTips
Thanks for the response!
What rod reel combination did you use and what lb test
Brandon Palaniuk@BrandonPalaniuk
6 foot, 10 inch Elite Tech drop shot rod and Revo Premier spinning 8-pound Berkley Fireline Crystal tied to 6-pound 100% fluorocarbon leader
When you fished the federation how many days would you prefish leading up to the state/divisional tournaments?
Brandon Palaniuk@BrandonPalaniuk
Usually 3 days.
How did you make it financially in the early part of your career with all the entry fees and traveling expenses?
Brandon Palaniuk@BrandonPalaniuk
Cutting costs where possible. Example: tomato soup with hot water and ketchup from McDonalds.
I needed a long-shot upset…should have listened to the masses that picked you! Awsome job BP
Hi Brandon, congrats on the win! What length/power/action rod were you using for your drop shot?
Brandon Palaniuk@BrandonPalaniuk
6-10 medium light Fenwick Elite Tech
I’m going fishing next week and will be dropshoting for first time deep mountain lake. Any pointers?
Brandon Palaniuk@BrandonPalaniuk
Light line and small baits = more fish.
Congrats on the win! If you had to pick a place for the classic would it be CDA?
Brandon Palaniuk@BrandonPalaniuk
Surely not in February it’s freezing there. Guntersville is looking pretty good.
We shared one of your most defeating days in LaCrosse. Are u still replaying that day in your head?
Brandon Palaniuk@BrandonPalaniuk
No, that one has been overshadowed by last week’s trophy.
Favorite dropshot bait?
Brandon Palaniuk@BrandonPalaniuk
Right now it’s the Berkley PowerBait Twitch Tail Minnow
Watch you fish Oneida guy in sight caught them dropshot, you threw swimbait. Big bite? Instinct? Marking them?
Brandon Palaniuk@BrandonPalaniuk
I was just trying to get the big bites!
Cody Ustazewski @codyustazewski
Do you switch out the stock trebles on the arashi square bill? If so what kind and size.
Brandon Palaniuk@BrandonPalaniuk
I will usually switch them to No. 2 or No. 4 EWG style treble hooks
Midwest Fish Hunters @317FISHHUNTERS
job interview got rescheduled so I’m here lol. what was your first big tournament before u turned pro?
Brandon Palaniuk@BrandonPalaniuk
BFL All-American or the B.A.S.S. Nation Championship
when your drop shotting do you “dead stick” it or are you always bouncing your rod tip slightly?
Brandon Palaniuk@BrandonPalaniuk
It varies on the mood of the fish. I usually have some type of rod movement.
favorite softbait of all time? And when do u use it the most?
Brandon Palaniuk@BrandonPalaniuk
It changes every year, but now it’s a Berkley Havoc Pit Boss. It’s one of the most versatile.
Struggle on Ontario I do the opposite&run to the river from the lake Heard u were fishing flats near humps What should I look for?
Brandon Palaniuk@BrandonPalaniuk
Look for steep drops and long points adjacent to spawning flats
What rod were you using this past week for drop shotting?
Brandon Palaniuk@BrandonPalaniuk
6-10 medium light Fenwick Elite Tech
When you fished the federation how many days would you prefish leading up to the state/divisional tournaments?
Brandon Palaniuk@BrandonPalaniuk
Usually 3 days.
Keep going after em! That classic is yours this year guaranteed!
Brandon Palaniuk@BrandonPalaniuk
Nothing in fishing is guaranteed, but I’d like to think so!
many anglers across the country are calling your the next big angler, how does that make u feel?
Brandon Palaniuk@BrandonPalaniuk
Makes my heart warm and fuzzy that I’ve got fan support.
Hi Brandon, congrats on the win! What length/power/action rod were you using for your drop shot?
Brandon Palaniuk@BrandonPalaniuk
6-10 medium light Fenwick Elite Tech
Why were you using such a small drop shot hook ?
Brandon Palaniuk@BrandonPalaniuk
It allows the bait to have more action without moving the rod
Midwest Fish Hunters @317FISHHUNTERS
Job interview got rescheduled so im here lol what was your first big tournament before u turned pro
Brandon Palaniuk@BrandonPalaniuk
BFL All-American or the B.A.S.S. Nation Championship
Hey BP, my ? is when are you going to come fish w/ me here in Ohio? i only live 45 mins from fletch!
Brandon Palaniuk@BrandonPalaniuk
Whenever I get the invite!
invite is officially sent! You can pick the lake and day even up to Erie for some football smallies
Brandon Palaniuk@BrandonPalaniuk
Erie is off limits right now!
Either when it isn’t off limits, or you can pick another Lake, it would just be a great time to fish actually pick any lake any state. I’ll come fish it with you!
hunter alexander @hunteralexandrr
Whats ur bread and butter tackle to use on tough days?btw nice win bp
Brandon Palaniuk@BrandonPalaniuk
Drop shot and a @BerkleyFishing Havoc Bottom Hopper
All time favorite rapala crank bait?
Brandon Palaniuk@BrandonPalaniuk
My favorite is a DT6
How long did it take you to get to the elites? And how did you do it?
Brandon Palaniuk@BrandonPalaniuk
I fished the Federation for seven years before I won the Federation Championship
How did u feel when made your 100 mile run in New York?
Brandon Palaniuk@BrandonPalaniuk
It was over 100 miles one way! I was nervous and sore.
Least favorite way to fish a softbait?
Brandon Palaniuk@BrandonPalaniuk
Carolina rig
Favorite body of water, and why?
Brandon Palaniuk@BrandonPalaniuk
Lake Coeur D’Alene at home because I’ve got lots of good memories there!
What is your favorite technique to us to catch bass
Brandon Palaniuk@BrandonPalaniuk
Giant swimbaits.
Can you follow me? 😀
Brandon Palaniuk@BrandonPalaniuk
Follow you to which lake?
On a serious note, how does it feel when you come to the scales, and every pro is shaking your hand?
Brandon Palaniuk@BrandonPalaniuk
Equally as good as winning.
Justin Lundborg @JustinLundborg
how often do you retie your drop-shot setup when you’re catching them consistently?
Brandon Palaniuk@BrandonPalaniuk
In the Great Lakes, every other fish because of the zebra mussels
For a younger guy like me who would like to go pro how would you suggest me on doing it?
Brandon Palaniuk@BrandonPalaniuk
Federation Nation.
Any way you will be launching your own design of Havoc softbaits?
Brandon Palaniuk@BrandonPalaniuk
It’s a possibilty.
I want to be the 1st ever college National Champ in both wrestling and bass fishing. Any words of encouragement?
Brandon Palaniuk@BrandonPalaniuk
Take the mental and physical side of wrestling into fishing and make it happen!
Planning any trips to Guntersville now before Feb?
Brandon Palaniuk@BrandonPalaniuk
That’s a good possibility!
Once again congrats on the win and thank you for taking the time to answer our questions.
Brandon Palaniuk@BrandonPalaniuk
Thanks for asking them!
What style hook do you use and why when you are wacky rigging? And what worm? I’m writing an article
Brandon Palaniuk@BrandonPalaniuk
No. 1 octopus hook and a @BerkleyFishing Havoc Flat Dawg
What is the difference between the new trilene braid and fireline?
Brandon Palaniuk@BrandonPalaniuk
It’s built with different fibers.
The last fish you caught, did it follow the jerkbait in or did u see it on the bottom ?
Brandon Palaniuk@BrandonPalaniuk
It followed the jerkbait and I caught it on a drop shot
I saw that well done !
Brandon Palaniuk@BrandonPalaniuk
Thank you!
Have u ever thrown the #fleshweasel?
Brandon Palaniuk@BrandonPalaniuk
Yes, I have thrown the #fleshweasel. I am one with the #fleshweasel.
Brandon Palaniuk@BrandonPalaniuk
My bassmaster twitter chat partner. GoPro pic. pic.twitter.com/Ry9FBzoqTE
Brandon Johnson @Johnsonfishing
how did u learn to pattern fish living in a colder climate state?
Brandon Palaniuk@BrandonPalaniuk
In the 9 months that we got to fish, we saw almost every situation possible.
Do you have any special nicknames for your fav baits like @tommyfrink‘s el raton that he calls #fleshweasel?
Brandon Palaniuk@BrandonPalaniuk
I don’t have anything nearly that creative!
Hey Brandon I am 13 and looking into getting into tournament fishing. When and how deep do you fish a shaky head?
Brandon Palaniuk@BrandonPalaniuk
High pressured fishing and slowly
Michael Griffin @MichaelGriff10
what is the biggest you caught on St Lawrence??
Brandon Palaniuk@BrandonPalaniuk
A 5-12 smallie. Steve Kennedy beat me out by an ounce.
Michael Griffin @MichaelGriff10
nice job on the win
Besides fishing, what is your favorite part of working with the media or your sponsors?
Brandon Palaniuk@BrandonPalaniuk
The fan connection!
You gonna take it easy after your win or you gunning for the impossible to win back to back at St. Clair?
Brandon Palaniuk@BrandonPalaniuk
I wouldn’t say it’s impossible. Since I wasn’t able to win back-to-back from Miss River to St Lawrence, I’m going to try it from St Lawrence to St Clair.
Hey Brandon, ever fished Lake Powell? If so how was it?
Brandon Palaniuk@BrandonPalaniuk
I have not been able to fish Powell yet.
Do you use a swivel on your drop shot ?
Brandon Palaniuk@BrandonPalaniuk
No, you need to use a uni knot.
Midwest Fish Hunters @317FISHHUNTERS
Do u ever wonder what it would be like to go back to land angling like us common folk lol.
Brandon Palaniuk@BrandonPalaniuk
During the off-season I fish for all species
All time favorite rapala crank bait?
Brandon Palaniuk@BrandonPalaniuk
My favorite is a DT6
What was your biggest challenge to realizing the dream to go pro besides being a good fisherman?
Brandon Palaniuk@BrandonPalaniuk
The financial struggle was tough.
What is your favorite lake to fish on?
Brandon Palaniuk@BrandonPalaniuk
Couer d’Alene, Idaho
How long was the ride back on Sunday? Had to be nerve wrecking.
Brandon Palaniuk@BrandonPalaniuk
It took me 2 1/2 hours. My @SkeeterTeam boat took a beating!
Favorite technique. Not just to catch fish but what do you enjoy the most. @BASS_nation
Brandon Palaniuk@BrandonPalaniuk
Throwing a giant swimbait.
How do you like the veritas rods? I’m about to buy one
Brandon Palaniuk@BrandonPalaniuk
I think it’s the best rod for your money, about $100.
What’s your favorite drop shoting bait? and when are you fishing Erie in buffalo again?
Brandon Palaniuk@BrandonPalaniuk
Twitch Tail Minnow. I guess next week.
Brandon Palaniuk@BrandonPalaniuk
Wojtilas Bakery in Euclid, OH for breakfast/lunch/dinner lol pic.twitter.com/L573zd8Lim
Do you do all of your own #gopro edits? And if so what platform do you use?
Brandon Palaniuk@BrandonPalaniuk
Yes, I do all my own #gopro edits and I use Final Cut Pro.
Chris Roberts @ChrisRobertsc42
With pressure going into last weeks tourney how did you focus on your fishing with your back against the wall?
Brandon Palaniuk@BrandonPalaniuk
I become more focused under pressure when I need to reach a goal
if you could bring back 1 discontinued lure what would it be
Brandon Palaniuk@BrandonPalaniuk
An old-school #fleshweasel.
Are you doing anything special with your winnings?
Brandon Palaniuk@BrandonPalaniuk
Invest them!
Is your sister single?
Brandon Palaniuk@BrandonPalaniuk
Negative, ghost rider.
Do the smallies actually hear the pinging noise from the sonars ?
Brandon Palaniuk@BrandonPalaniuk
I believe in excess amounts they can hear it.
Freak Finder Fishing @FreakFinderFish
Wondering how BP got to where he is today in the Elites at such a young age…
Brandon Palaniuk@BrandonPalaniuk
I started young and joined the B.A.S.S. Nation
In your opinion, what’s your biggest weakness and how do you try to overcome that?
Brandon Palaniuk@BrandonPalaniuk
Gambling when fishing when I shouldn’t & I try to be smarter about those decisions
Wanted to jump on and say congrats once again. You are an amazing angler and an even more amazing person.
Brandon Palaniuk@BrandonPalaniuk
You just want more of my fishing spots after we smashed ’em this week.
OK, ok maybe you’re right lol.
Brandon Palaniuk@BrandonPalaniuk
The stare down! pic.twitter.com/Zhw0FjxaQi
Thank you, everyone, for your questions! We appreciate you taking the time, @BrandonPalaniuk
Brandon Palaniuk@BrandonPalaniuk
Thanks for joining in our @BASS_nation Twitter Chat. Hope to do it again in two weeks!