Elite

Gleason’s late-afternoon charge

Follow along with Darold Gleason as he makes a late-afternoon push to make the cut on Day 2 of the 2022 Whataburger Bassmaster Elite at Pickwick Lake!

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Photography by
Andy Crawford
Darold Gleason clawed his way from 18th into third during the second morning of competition, and we caught up with him fishing almost gunnel to gunnel with fellow Louisiana pro Caleb Sumrall.
Gleason was fishing just off the main river channel, focusing on submerged rocks.
He said he located the spot in the final hour of Day 1.
“I didn’t graph them this morning,” Gleason said. “I knew they were there from yesterday.”
Local guide David Allen said the rocks Gleason was fishing acts as a fish magnet because there are plenty of current breaks.
Gleason had his rotation of lures lined up on his front deck, ready for action.
The pro stopped to check his fish, and showed off one of the bass that had pushed his Day 2 stringer past the 16-pound mark. “I still have a 2-pounder I need to get rid of,” Gleason said. “If I can get rid of that fish I think I’ll fish tomorrow (after the first cut).”
Gleason added some livewell juice to ensure his stringer of fish remained healthy.
He spent a lot of time cranking the rocks, although he also rotated in other baits.
Just before leaving, Sumrall shared some of his knowledge with Gleason. “He owed me a waypoint,” Gleason said with a smile.
And then Sumrall took off for other waters.
Shortly thereafter, Gleason swung a bass into the boat.
But it didn’t help his cause, and was quickly released.
The next cast, Gleason was hooked up again.
Another throwback. “I didn’t even see these fish when I graphed (earlier),” he said.
Gleason quickly put his deep-diving crankbait back into action to ensure he didn’t miss any of the feeding period.
That paid off with another bite.
Gleason took this bass more seriously, fighting to keep it from throwing his lure.
The bass had other ideas.
Finally, however, the bass was withing arm’s reach …
… and scooped into the boat.
“I don’t know if it will help,” Gleason said.
However, the fish added valuable ounces to Gleason’s livewell, pushing his limit to more than 17 pounds, according to BASSTrakk.
The cull fish was released, but Gleason hadn’t caught the fish he wanted.
So he headed out with a smile, hoping to find the bass to push him up the leaderboard.

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