Drew Cook Leads Day One of 2022 Elite Series Santee Cooper

Bucks Skeeter Yamaha

CLARENDON COUNTY, S.C. — Drew Cook has a history of making life difficult for himself with tough Day 1 performances.

But by catching 31 pounds, 13 ounces, Cook shed his streak of bad opening rounds and leads the field of 94 anglers after the first day of the Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite Series on Santee Cooper Lakes.

The Cairo, Ga., resident holds more than a 2-pound lead over Wisconsin pro Caleb Kuphall, who landed in second with 29-10, and nearly a 4-pound lead over Louisiana pro Greg Hackney.

“I said I was going to act like I was 12 pounds behind from the get-go,” Cook said. “I have never won one of these things and have never really had a good start to an event. Hopefully, with a good start, we can keep it

2022 Bassmaster Elite Series Santee Cooper Day One Leader Drew Cook – photo by Seigo Saito – B.A.S.S.

going.”

Cook secured his catch a couple of hours after takeoff at John C. Land III Sport Fishing Facility, all by sight fishing. He found many of the bass he caught on Thursday during practice, but they had not locked onto a bed. There was one male, however, that had locked on during practice and Cook located those females around that male on tournament day.

“I only had two females to start on, and I caught one of them right off the bat and then I caught the next one,” Cook said. “A couple of the ones I had seen swimming around had moved onto bed. We were done at like 11 a.m. I watched every one of them (eat it). It was a lot of fun.”

Right before the beginning of the official practice period, a front moved through the area bringing colder temperatures and rain to Lakes Marion and Moultrie, which have been a few feet lower than normal. But the subfreezing lows for the weekend and the beginning of the week have now been replaced with warmer days and nights.

Storms also blew through on the scheduled off day Wednesday, which allowed the water to rise some in Cook’s area, a key for getting those big females to commit to spawning. But the news wasn’t all good.

“What also happened with the water level coming up is carp are spawning in a lot of the areas now,” Cook said. “So, the water is kind of a chalky color.”

After the quick start, Cook used the rest of the afternoon to look for more bass that had moved up to spawn and found two that might help him Friday.

“I caught one male that I had marked today and I threw him back,” he said. “I found two more 6- or 7-pounders. It was really hard today because I had a 5-8, but I found a 7-pounder. I left both of them and hopefully, they made it through the afternoon.

“We are going to give it a shot. There still should be fish coming.”

Kuphall, meanwhile, had a much different approach to the Santee Cooper Lakes, targeting prespawn bass he could not see. It was a relatively slow day for the Mukwonago, Wis., native, but the ones that did bite were the right size.

“I only caught eight fish today,” he said. “It was really one area. I caught an 8-pounder, a 5 1/4 and a 6-pounder within probably 20 minutes just in one little stretch. I’m not sight fishing, I’m just pitching at cypress trees.

“These were prespawn fish. That 8-pounder I caught was ready.”

Kuphall said the fish he caught Thursday were not there during practice. The water level has stayed mostly stable in his area, and with warmer weather continuing, he hopes the fishing improves.

“I’m hoping more fish pull up throughout the night tonight,” he said. “We are going to have another warm night. I have fish in my areas that are coming to me, I’m just not getting that many bites. My morning bite has been really bad, and as the day progresses it gets better.”

During the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk earlier this month on Lake Hartwell, Hackney’s wife suggested to him they should retire to the host city of Greenville, S.C., but he rejected that idea for one reason.

“If she had said she wanted to come to Santee Cooper and retire, I would be all in,” he said. “I love this place. It is like where I grew up at home. It is the only place we go that is like that. I just enjoy fishing here.”

Hackney certainly made himself feel at home Thursday with 27-14. With water levels expected to rise more and air and water temperatures rising as well, the Gonzales, La., native said it should be the “perfect storm” for giant bags.

“I didn’t know I was going to catch that,” he said. “I had a much better day than I expected. I think things got better today, honestly. I was very fortunate and got the right bites.”

With conditions improving, Hackney hopes he will be able to move around some and capitalize in other areas.

“I’m afraid that it is going to get better in other places,” Hackney said. “Every time I’ve been here, it has been cold in practice and then warmed up and fish just start showing up everywhere.

“I fished where I had the best chance of catching 20 (pounds). I looked a lot and probably saw lots of bass the second day of practice, but never saw one I thought weighed 6 pounds.”

Lake Wylie, S.C., native Todd Auten anchored his 27-2 fourth-place bag with an 8-15 largemouth, earning him Phoenix Boats Big Bass of the Day honors.

Heading into Day 2, John Cox of DeBary, Fla., has taken over the Progressive Insurance Bassmaster Angler of the Year lead with 271 points while Japan’s Masayuki Matsushita is leading the Falcon Rods Bassmaster Rookie of the Year race with 210 points.

The full field will take off from John C Land III Sport Fishing Facility at 7:30 a.m. ET Friday and return for weigh-in starting at 3:30 p.m. The field will be cut to the Top 48 after the Day 2 weigh-in, with the Top 10 anglers from Day 3 advancing to compete on Championship Sunday for the first-place prize of $100,000.

Full coverage will be available on Bassmaster.com.

The tournament is being hosted by the Clarendon County Chamber of Commerce.

2022 Bassmaster Elite Series Platinum Sponsor: Toyota
2022 Bassmaster Elite Series Premier Sponsors: Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Power-Pole, Progressive Insurance, Ranger Boats, Rapala, Skeeter Boats, Yamaha
2022 Bassmaster Elite Series Supporting Sponsors: AFTCO, Daiwa, Garmin, Huk Performance Fishing, Marathon, Strike King, Triton Boats, VMC
2022 Bassmaster Conservation Partners: AFTCO, Yamaha Rightwaters

About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S., which encompasses the Bassmaster tournament leagues, events and media platforms, is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport, providing cutting edge content on bass fishing whenever, wherever and however bass fishing fans want to use it. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the 515,000-member organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), TV show, radio show, social media programs and events. For more than 50 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.

The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Bassmaster Elite Series, St. Croix Bassmaster Opens Series presented by Mossy Oak Fishing, TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Series, Strike King Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Abu Garcia Bassmaster High School Series presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors, Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Team Championship, Yamaha Rightwaters Bassmaster Kayak Series powered by TourneyX, Yamaha Bassmaster Redfish Cup Championship presented by Skeeter and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk.

2022 Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite at Santee Cooper Lakes 3/17-3/20
Santee Cooper Lakes, Clarendon County  SC.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 1

Angler                   Hometown              No./lbs-oz  Pts   Total $$$

1.  Drew Cook              Cairo, GA                5  31-13  100
Day 1: 5   31-13
2.  Caleb Kuphall          Mukwonago, WI            5  29-10   99
Day 1: 5   29-10
3.  Greg Hackney           Gonzales, LA             5  27-14   98
Day 1: 5   27-14
4.  Todd Auten             Lake Wylie, SC           5  27-02   97   $1,000.00
Day 1: 5   27-02
5.  Hank Cherry Jr         Lincolnton, NC           5  26-14   96
Day 1: 5   26-14
6.  Brandon Palaniuk       Rathdrum, ID             5  26-02   95
Day 1: 5   26-02
7.  Masayuki Matsushita    Tokoname-Shi JAPAN       5  23-08   94
Day 1: 5   23-08
8.  Patrick Walters        Summerville, SC          5  22-04   93
Day 1: 5   22-04
9.  Matt Arey              Shelby, NC               5  22-01   92
Day 1: 5   22-01
10. Taku Ito               Chiba JAPAN              5  21-10   91
Day 1: 5   21-10
11. Gerald Swindle         Guntersville, AL         5  21-00   90
Day 1: 5   21-00
12. Jacob Foutz            Charleston, TN           5  20-12   89
Day 1: 5   20-12
13. Shane LeHew            Catawba, NC              5  20-10   88
Day 1: 5   20-10
14. Cory Johnston          Cavan CANADA             5  20-04   87
Day 1: 5   20-04
15. Brandon Cobb           Greenwood, SC            5  19-14   86
Day 1: 5   19-14
15. Carl Jocumsen          Queensland AUSTRALIA     5  19-14   86
Day 1: 5   19-14
17. Joseph Webster         Hamilton, AL             5  19-10   84
Day 1: 5   19-10
18. Justin Atkins          Florence, AL             5  19-08   83
Day 1: 5   19-08
18. Steve Kennedy          Auburn, AL               5  19-08   83
Day 1: 5   19-08
20. Jacob Powroznik        North Prince George, VA  5  19-06   81
Day 1: 5   19-06
21. John Cox               DeBary, FL               5  19-03   80
Day 1: 5   19-03
21. Kenta Kimura           Osaka JAPAN              5  19-03   80
Day 1: 5   19-03
21. Bryan New              Saluda, SC               5  19-03   80
Day 1: 5   19-03
24. Ray Hanselman Jr       Del Rio, TX              5  19-00   77
Day 1: 5   19-00
25. Pat Schlapper          Eleva, WI                5  18-12   76
Day 1: 5   18-12
26. David Mullins          Mt Carmel, TN            5  18-10   75
Day 1: 5   18-10
27. Seth Feider            New Market, MN           5  18-04   74
Day 1: 5   18-04
28. Gary Clouse            Winchester, TN           5  17-14   73
Day 1: 5   17-14
29. Daisuke Aoki           Minamitsurugun Yamanash  5  17-13   72
Day 1: 5   17-13
30. Austin Felix           Eden Prairie, MN         5  17-10   71
Day 1: 5   17-10
31. Brandon Lester         Fayetteville, TN         5  17-04   70
Day 1: 5   17-04
31. Tyler Rivet            Raceland, LA             5  17-04   70
Day 1: 5   17-04
33. Drew Benton            Blakely, GA              5  17-03   68
Day 1: 5   17-03
34. Skylar Hamilton        Dandridge, TN            5  17-02   67
Day 1: 5   17-02
35. Scott Martin           Clewiston, FL            5  17-00   66
Day 1: 5   17-00
36. Chad Morgenthaler      Reeds Spring, MO         5  16-14   65
Day 1: 5   16-14
37. Clifford Pirch         Payson, AZ               5  16-13   64
Day 1: 5   16-13
38. Chris Johnston         Otonabee Ontario CANADA  5  16-11   63
Day 1: 5   16-11
39. Mike Huff              London, KY               5  16-10   62
Day 1: 5   16-10
40. Paul Mueller           Naugatuck, CT            4  16-10   61
Day 1: 4   16-10
41. Stetson Blaylock       Benton, AR               5  16-09   60
Day 1: 5   16-09
41. Jamie Hartman          Newport, NY              5  16-09   60
Day 1: 5   16-09
43. Luke Palmer            Coalgate, OK             5  16-07   58
Day 1: 5   16-07
43. Matt Robertson         Kuttawa, KY              5  16-07   58
Day 1: 5   16-07
45. Clark Wendlandt        Leander, TX              5  15-15   56
Day 1: 5   15-15
46. Hunter Shryock         Ooltewah, TN             5  15-14   55
Day 1: 5   15-14
47. Jeff Gustafson         Keewatin Ontario CANADA  5  15-13   54
Day 1: 5   15-13
48. Marc Frazier           Newnan, GA               5  15-10   53
Day 1: 5   15-10
49. Josh Douglas           Isle, MN                 5  15-08   52
Day 1: 5   15-08
49. Lee Livesay            Longview, TX             5  15-08   52
Day 1: 5   15-08
49. Jay Przekurat          Stevens Point, WI        5  15-08   52
Day 1: 5   15-08
52. Ed Loughran III        Richmond, VA             5  15-07   49
Day 1: 5   15-07
53. Bernie Schultz         Gainesville, FL          5  15-01   48
Day 1: 5   15-01
54. John Crews Jr          Salem, VA                5  14-11   47
Day 1: 5   14-11
54. Koby Kreiger           Alva, FL                 5  14-11   47
Day 1: 5   14-11
56. Caleb Sumrall          New Iberia, LA           5  14-03   45
Day 1: 5   14-03
57. Brock Mosley           Collinsville, MS         5  14-02   44
Day 1: 5   14-02
58. Darold Gleason         Many, LA                 5  14-00   43
Day 1: 5   14-00
58. Chad Pipkens           DeWitt, MI               5  14-00   43
Day 1: 5   14-00
60. Kyle Welcher           Opelika, AL              5  13-15   41
Day 1: 5   13-15
61. Michael Iaconelli      Pittsgrove, NJ           5  13-14   40
Day 1: 5   13-14
62. Matt Herren            Ashville, AL             4  13-14   39
Day 1: 4   13-14
63. KJ Queen               Catawba, NC              5  13-13   38
Day 1: 5   13-13
64. Brandon Card           Salisbury, NC            5  13-10   37
Day 1: 5   13-10
64. Buddy Gross            Chattanooga, TN          5  13-10   37
Day 1: 5   13-10
66. Clent Davis            Montevallo, AL           4  13-08   35
Day 1: 4   13-08
67. Derek Hudnall          Denham Springs, LA       5  13-07   34
Day 1: 5   13-07
68. Joshua Stracner        Vandiver, AL             5  13-04   33
Day 1: 5   13-04
69. Jake Whitaker          Fairview, NC             5  13-02   32
Day 1: 5   13-02
70. Jason Williamson       Wagener, SC              5  13-01   31
Day 1: 5   13-01
71. David Williams         Newton, NC               5  12-13   30
Day 1: 5   12-13
72. Wes Logan              Springville, AL          4  12-11   29
Day 1: 4   12-11
73. Keith Combs            Huntington, TX           5  12-08   28
Day 1: 5   12-08
74. Alex Redwine           Blue Ash, OH             5  12-03   27
Day 1: 5   12-03
75. Scott Canterbury       Odenville, AL            5  12-02   26
Day 1: 5   12-02
75. Cliff Prince           Palatka, FL              5  12-02   26
Day 1: 5   12-02
77. Cody Huff              Ava, MO                  5  12-01   24
Day 1: 5   12-01
78. Jay Yelas              Turner, OR               4  11-11   23
Day 1: 4   11-11
79. Chris Zaldain          Fort Worth, TX           3  11-10   22
Day 1: 3   11-10
80. Brad Whatley           Bivins, TX               4  11-09   21
Day 1: 4   11-09
81. Mark Menendez          Paducah, KY              4  10-12   20
Day 1: 4   10-12
82. Jesse Tacoronte        Kissimmee, FL            5  10-04   19
Day 1: 5   10-04
83. Bryan Schmitt          Deale, MD                4  09-09   18
Day 1: 4   09-09
84. Rick Clunn             Ava, MO                  3  09-00   17
Day 1: 3   09-00
85. Jonathan Kelley        Old Forge, PA            4  08-15   16
Day 1: 4   08-15
86. Justin Hamner          Northport, AL            3  07-07   15
Day 1: 3   07-07
87. Micah Frazier          Newnan, GA               2  07-02   14
Day 1: 2   07-02
88. David Fritts           Lexington, NC            1  05-12   13
Day 1: 1   05-12
89. Bob Downey             Detroit Lakes, MN        2  04-05   12
Day 1: 2   04-05
90. Jason Christie         Park Hill, OK            1  04-02   11
Day 1: 1   04-02
91. Frank Talley           Temple, TX               1  03-15   10
Day 1: 1   03-15
92. Gregory DiPalma        Millville, NJ            1  02-06    9
Day 1: 1   02-06
93. Bill Lowen             Brookville, IN           1  02-03    8
Day 1: 1   02-03
94. Matty Wong             Honolulu, HI             0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
———————————————————————–

PHOENIX BOATS BIG BASS
Day
1   Todd Auten               Lake Wylie, SC      08-15      $1,000.00

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Totals
Day   #Limits    #Fish      Weight
1        74       424      1462-06
———————————-
74       424      1462-06