Through the lens of Palaniuk’s Grandpa

Brandon Palaniuk's family followed him on Lake Havasu, and captured images of his successful tournament.

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On Lake Havasu, Brandon Palaniuk is searching for that big bite. For this Elite Series event, his family is following him on the water. Enjoy these photos and captions from Rod Stamm, Brandon's grandfather.
On Lake Havasu, Brandon Palaniuk is searching for that big bite. For this Elite Series event, his family is following him on the water. Enjoy these photos and captions from Rod Stamm, Brandon’s grandfather.
The California border lights up with the morning sun.
The California border lights up with the morning sun.
Palaniuk continued to change angles.
Palaniuk continued to change angles.
He hooks up with a heavy Havasu largemouth...
He hooks up with a heavy Havasu largemouth…
...and wins the battle.
…and wins the battle.
That will help.
That will help.
He quickly hooks up again...
He quickly hooks up again…
...and another one.
…and another one.
BP swings this one into the boat.
BP swings this one into the boat.
He continues to fish the rock to grass transition.
He continues to fish the rock to grass transition.
Long casts were important with the clear water of Lake Havasu.
Long casts were important with the clear water of Lake Havasu.
Palaniuk is all smiles.
Palaniuk is all smiles.
Still smiling.
Still smiling.
He switches to a Storm Arashi prototype and quickly hooks up.
He switches to a Storm Arashi prototype and quickly hooks up.
This one isn't giving up.
This one isn’t giving up.
He moves the fish down the side of the boat.
He moves the fish down the side of the boat.
This looks like an upgrade.
This looks like an upgrade.
He gets his hands on the fish.
He gets his hands on the fish.
This Havasu bass looks pretty good.
This Havasu bass looks pretty good.
Palaniuk changes directions and hooks up again.
Palaniuk changes directions and hooks up again.
This one will help the cause.
This one will help the cause.
Continuing to make long casts.
Continuing to make long casts.
Closely studying his electronics.
Closely studying his electronics.
Still casting...
Still casting…
Brandon made a big move on the leaderboard on Day 2.
Brandon made a big move on the leaderboard on Day 2.
He waves to the Lake Havasu morning crowd as he idles out for Day 3.
He waves to the Lake Havasu morning crowd as he idles out for Day 3.
And quickly lands his first fish...
And quickly lands his first fish…
...a chunky smallie.
…a chunky smallie.
A quick move and he hooks up again.
A quick move and he hooks up again.
This time a largemouth.
This time a largemouth.
Dave Mercer broadcasts live as Palaniuk realizes he has a power issue with his boat.
Dave Mercer broadcasts live as Palaniuk realizes he has a power issue with his boat.
Palaniuk makes a call to the service crew...
Palaniuk makes a call to the service crew…
...and is fixed up in no time.
…and is fixed up in no time.
Soon, he's hooking up with a spinning rod.
Soon, he’s hooking up with a spinning rod.
Reaching for the fish...
Reaching for the fish…
Reaching...
Reaching…
Another largemouth in the boat.
Another largemouth in the boat.
Another hookset.
Another hookset.
This is a keeper.
This is a keeper.
Pose for a photo...
Pose for a photo…
And it's time to get back to work.
And it’s time to get back to work.
On to the next one.
On to the next one.
These desert bass are mean.
These desert bass are mean.
But this one doesn't get away.
But this one doesn’t get away.
Time to head back after a successful tournament.
Time to head back after a successful tournament.
Always good to be on stage on Day 4 of an Elite Series tournament.
Always good to be on stage on Day 4 of an Elite Series tournament.
He shows off two Havasu bass...
He shows off two Havasu bass…
...giving everyone a chance to get the shot, including me.
…giving everyone a chance to get the shot, including me.
He's happy to be here on Day 4, but obviously not completely satisfied with the tournament because he isn't holding another trophy.
He’s happy to be here on Day 4, but obviously not completely satisfied with the tournament because he isn’t holding another trophy.
One good thing came out of Championship Sunday, though.
One good thing came out of Championship Sunday, though.
Brandon spent Mother's Day with his mother Tonya and girlfriend Tiffanie.
Brandon spent Mother’s Day with his mother Tonya and girlfriend Tiffanie.