Pat Schlapper Leads Day 2 at Bassmaster Elite Tournament

ORANGE, Texas — Pat Schlapper of Eleva, Wisconsin, remained in the lead after Day 2 of the MAXAM Tire Bassmaster Elite at Sabine River with a two-day total of 20 pounds, 9 ounces. The competition tightened as Schlapper added 8 pounds, 7 ounces on Day 2 to his initial limit of 12 pounds, 2 ounces.

“It was a tougher day, but I got one good quality bite and five other keeper bites that I landed,” Schlapper said. “The Sabine River is a tough playing field, but it’s kinda cool because you get a couple of those quality bites, and that’s what can make your whole tournament.”

On Day 1, Schlapper focused his efforts near a bridge in the Taylor Slough area. Although he returned to that spot, he also made adjustments by relocating several times to ensure he could secure a limit. “I started there and caught a small keeper and then I caught a good one and missed a couple more,” he recounted. “After I caught those two, I left the bridge again. I had a limit and I needed it for tomorrow.”

As conditions changed, Schlapper adapted his approach, switching from a finesse jig to a Texas-rigged creature bait when the jig didn’t produce as expected. “I fished my normal stuff and they didn’t touch it. When I realized my jig was not happening, I switched it up,” he explained.

Looking ahead to Day 3, Schlapper expressed cautious optimism. “I still have a shot at it; I need to make a little more magic happen,” he said. “We’re in the game, and that’s all you can ask for after two days here.”

In second place is Canada’s A.J. Gallant, who caught a total of 20 pounds, 5 ounces over the two days. Gallant had a strong Day 2, bringing in 10 pounds, 3 ounces, surprising him as he noted, “It’s funny, this morning I was saying, I’ve never been sitting in the Top 10 thinking: ‘Hopefully, I catch a bass.’”

Japanese angler Takumi Fujita currently sits in third place with 19 pounds, 11 ounces. After an initial limit of 8 pounds, 8 ounces, Fujita improved his catch to 11 pounds, 3 ounces on Day 2, focusing on fast fishing techniques to increase his chances of landing quality fish.

The tournament’s Big Bass leader is Steve Lopez from Salem, Virginia, with a catch weighing 4 pounds, 14 ounces. Competitive action continues tomorrow with takeoff scheduled for 6:30 a.m. CT from City of Orange Boat Ramp, followed by a weigh-in at 2:30 p.m.