Look back at the Bull

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This week’s Bassmaster Elite at Bull Shoals/Norfork is a first-of-its-kind event, with the four days of competition spread between two lakes.
This week’s Bassmaster Elite at Bull Shoals/Norfork is a first-of-its-kind event, with the four days of competition spread between two lakes.
The angler meetings, weigh-ins and bonus activities are all taking place on the campus of Arkansas State University at Mountain Home, 1600 South College St., Mountain Home, AR, 72653.
The angler meetings, weigh-ins and bonus activities are all taking place on the campus of Arkansas State University at Mountain Home, 1600 South College St., Mountain Home, AR, 72653.
The first day of competition blasts off Thursday at 6:15 a.m. CT from the Lake Norfork Marina at 19 County Road 825, Henderson, AR, 72544, shown here during a recent BassCat tournament.
The first day of competition blasts off Thursday at 6:15 a.m. CT from the Lake Norfork Marina at 19 County Road 825, Henderson, AR, 72544, shown here during a recent BassCat tournament.
The full field will then launch from the Bull Shoals Boat Dock, 719 Shorecrest Dr., Bull Shoals, AR, 72619. Enter those addresses in your maps, because those are the places to be. All B.A.S.S. events are free.
The full field will then launch from the Bull Shoals Boat Dock, 719 Shorecrest Dr., Bull Shoals, AR, 72619. Enter those addresses in your maps, because those are the places to be. All B.A.S.S. events are free.
Both Bull Shoals and Norfork are similar reservoirs in the Ozarks with rocky shores, including some steep drop-offs.
Both Bull Shoals and Norfork are similar reservoirs in the Ozarks with rocky shores, including some steep drop-offs.
Jason Christie won the last time B.A.S.S. visited Bull Shoals in 2013, when he totaled 56 pounds, 8 ounces for his first Elite victory.
Jason Christie won the last time B.A.S.S. visited Bull Shoals in 2013, when he totaled 56 pounds, 8 ounces for his first Elite victory.
A cold front that postponed the event one day made patterning fish difficult, but Casey Scanlon was consistent with bags in the low teens and went into Monday’s Day 4 with the lead.
A cold front that postponed the event one day made patterning fish difficult, but Casey Scanlon was consistent with bags in the low teens and went into Monday’s Day 4 with the lead.
Terry Scroggins was among the anglers hot on Scanlon’s tail.
Terry Scroggins was among the anglers hot on Scanlon’s tail. “Big Show” started Day 4 merely 12 ounces behind Scanlon, while Cliff Prince and Cliff Pace were less than 2 pounds out of the lead.
Mark Zona interviewed Christie as he waited to weigh-in and discovered he fell on some good fortune -- a five-acre school of bass went on a feeding frenzy right next to him. Christie had caught a limit in less than 10 casts.
Mark Zona interviewed Christie as he waited to weigh-in and discovered he fell on some good fortune — a five-acre school of bass went on a feeding frenzy right next to him. Christie had caught a limit in less than 10 casts.
Although Christie entered the day trailing by 5-6 -- ironically the same weight as the big bass of the event, which was caught by Bradley Roy -- he weighed the big bag of the tournament at 18-0 to take the hot seat.
Although Christie entered the day trailing by 5-6 — ironically the same weight as the big bass of the event, which was caught by Bradley Roy — he weighed the big bag of the tournament at 18-0 to take the hot seat.
Christie didn’t want emcee Dave Mercer to talk any more -- he motions to bring up the next guy. Christie had started the day in 11th place and wanted to remain on the hot seat awhile.
Christie didn’t want emcee Dave Mercer to talk any more — he motions to bring up the next guy. Christie had started the day in 11th place and wanted to remain on the hot seat awhile.
The last angler was Scanlon, who fell short with his lightest bag of the event, allowing Christie to score the greatest comeback in Elite history. Kevin Short had held that record after rallying from sixth place at 4-15 behind Kelly Jordon in Iowa in 2009. It also marked two victories in a row for Christie, who had won the FLW event on Beaver Lake the week before.
The last angler was Scanlon, who fell short with his lightest bag of the event, allowing Christie to score the greatest comeback in Elite history. Kevin Short had held that record after rallying from sixth place at 4-15 behind Kelly Jordon in Iowa in 2009. It also marked two victories in a row for Christie, who had won the FLW event on Beaver Lake the week before.
There were a number of bass fishing dignitaries in attendance, including Forrest and Nina Wood, who live in nearby Flippin.
There were a number of bass fishing dignitaries in attendance, including Forrest and Nina Wood, who live in nearby Flippin.
One notable previous event held on Lake Norfork was a Central Open in 2005. It was won by the reigning Classic champ Takahiro Omori with 27-5.
One notable previous event held on Lake Norfork was a Central Open in 2005. It was won by the reigning Classic champ Takahiro Omori with 27-5.
The 2012 Elite on Bull Shoals was dominated by Brandon Palaniuk, who brought in 21-9 on Day 1 and never looked back.
The 2012 Elite on Bull Shoals was dominated by Brandon Palaniuk, who brought in 21-9 on Day 1 and never looked back.
On Day 2, Palaniuk brought in the biggest bag of the event at 24-4 and increased his lead to 8 pounds, but that bandage on his finger reveals there’s more to the story.
On Day 2, Palaniuk brought in the biggest bag of the event at 24-4 and increased his lead to 8 pounds, but that bandage on his finger reveals there’s more to the story.
Palaniuk came in early on Day 2 after the 6-pound fish he's holding helped impale him past the barb for the first time in his life. He took a trip to the emergency room, but said he would have toughed it out if he hadn't already had a huge bag.
Palaniuk came in early on Day 2 after the 6-pound fish he’s holding helped impale him past the barb for the first time in his life. He took a trip to the emergency room, but said he would have toughed it out if he hadn’t already had a huge bag.
After cutting the hook off to his skin, there wasn’t much of a souvenir left for the “Wall of Pain” display at Baxter Regional Medical Center in Mountain Home. Years ago, the emergency room doctors began collecting items they’ve extracted from patients. A look at the
After cutting the hook off to his skin, there wasn’t much of a souvenir left for the “Wall of Pain” display at Baxter Regional Medical Center in Mountain Home. Years ago, the emergency room doctors began collecting items they’ve extracted from patients. A look at the “Wall of Pain” reflects the medical center is surrounded with lakes and streams.
Palaniuk increased his lead to almost 13 pounds after Day 3. His winning area was in the west Sugar Loaf part of Bull Shoals Lake and held the ideal spawning habitat.
Palaniuk increased his lead to almost 13 pounds after Day 3. His winning area was in the west Sugar Loaf part of Bull Shoals Lake and held the ideal spawning habitat.
Bobby Lane, running to his spot on Day 4, was in third place and 15 pounds back. He knew it would take a miracle to win, but like everyone else he went out and swung for the fences.
Bobby Lane, running to his spot on Day 4, was in third place and 15 pounds back. He knew it would take a miracle to win, but like everyone else he went out and swung for the fences.
Britt Myers, who won his first Bassmaster event this month on Winyah Bay, had his previous two best finishes at Bull Shoals, including second in 2012. He was fifth in 2013 and is among those pleased to return.
Britt Myers, who won his first Bassmaster event this month on Winyah Bay, had his previous two best finishes at Bull Shoals, including second in 2012. He was fifth in 2013 and is among those pleased to return.
Palaniuk’s area was foggy at the beginning of Day 4, but a throng of camera boats and spectators followed him west of Diamond City. The spot had flat gravel banks and brush, as well as offshore structure with a roadbed across the back of the spawning pocket.
Palaniuk’s area was foggy at the beginning of Day 4, but a throng of camera boats and spectators followed him west of Diamond City. The spot had flat gravel banks and brush, as well as offshore structure with a roadbed across the back of the spawning pocket.
“The fish were only a couple of hundred yards away from where they wanted to spawn,” Palaniuk said. “It was a quick two- to three-minute swim from where they wanted to hang and where they wanted to spawn. I honestly had the best area in the lake.”
“The fish were only a couple of hundred yards away from where they wanted to spawn,” Palaniuk said. “It was a quick two- to three-minute swim from where they wanted to hang and where they wanted to spawn. I honestly had the best area in the lake.”
The crowd gathered just north of Bull Shoals Dam to watch Brent Chapman enter the drive-through weigh-in.
The crowd gathered just north of Bull Shoals Dam to watch Brent Chapman enter the drive-through weigh-in.
No one was catching Palaniuk, who had his worst bag on Day 4 but still won by almost 12 pounds. At 24, he was among the youngest Elites to win a title. He won his second the following year on the St. Lawrence River and has qualified for the Classic each of the past six years.
No one was catching Palaniuk, who had his worst bag on Day 4 but still won by almost 12 pounds. At 24, he was among the youngest Elites to win a title. He won his second the following year on the St. Lawrence River and has qualified for the Classic each of the past six years.