Elite

Afternoon action with the Elites

Head out with the Elites on Day 3 of the 2023 SiteOne Bassmaster Elite at Lake Okeechobee!

Posted on
Photography by
Kyle Jessie
Photography by
Andy Crawford
We picked back up this afternoon with Jake Whitaker who came into the day sitting in seventh place. The former Rookie of the Year brought in 27-12 on Day 2 to jump all the way to into the Top 10.
Whitaker has been sharing water with a number of other Elites. Scott Martin was one of the anglers amongst the crowd.
Martin hooked up with a solid keeper just moments later.
The North Carolina pro worked his way around the area, rotating through a few different baits.
As Whitaker passes by Martin, they share a good laugh.
Just moments after passing passing Martin, Whitaker hooks up and boats a cull fish.
Whitaker works through a few fish on a cull-beam to figure out which fish is the smallest.
He worked his way around a reed patch and hooks up with a big one.
He takes his time as he works the big fish around the boat.
Whitaker yells out after getting his hands on this fish. Earlier in the day he had a few opportunities to boat some good fish, so this one felt good.
Another angler who was roaming the large area was Elite Series rookie Joey Cifuentes.
The rookie from Arkansas hooked up with a good one as he worked his way down the edge of the pads.
Elite Series rookie Will Davis headed into Day 3 of the 2023 SiteOne Bassmaster Elite Series on Lake Okeechobee by running up the Kissimmee River.
Davis gave us a smile when we pulled up to him about midday. “I just lost a giant,” he said, as he re-rigged.
Davis was working a stretch of bank that was lined with flooded brush.
He was using a topwater to entice bites from the brush mixed with other vegetation.
One of the native predators wasn’t too happy that Davis was working the stretch of river.
Not long after pushing the heron off its hunting grounds, Davis watched his lure disappear in a swirl before setting the hook.
The 2-pounder put up a struggle, but was soon swung over the gunnel.
Another hookset was soon made …
… but Davis’ body language indicated this fish might have more size.
It wasn’t a giant, but Davis wasn’t complaining about the 2-pounder …
… that allowed him to cull up.

Related