Roy Grabs $25,000 for Group A’s Big Bass; DeFoe Advances to Championship Round
TYLER, Texas – Bradley Roy admitted that he wasn’t sure that the 6-pound, 9-ounce largemouth he caught on the first day of competition at 2022 General Tire Heavy Hitters Presented by Bass Pro Shops would hold up for big bass of his group on Lake Palestine. That was a pretty astute assumption, considering the size of bass and the time of year that the event was taking place on Lake Palestine in East Texas.
However, the Kentucky pro is now $25,000 richer thanks to that 6-9 bass, and he also has a shot at catching a $50,000 bass in the Knockout Round on Wednesday.
While Roy was sweating and hoping his big bass would stay on top of that leaderboard, Ott DeFoe was busy clinching his spot in the Championship Round after winning Group A’s Qualifying Round with a two-day total of 18 bass for 57 pounds.
Roy’s 6-9 Lasts as Big Bass, Earns Him $25,000
Roy’s immediate reaction after finding out his 6-9 withstood the test of his fellow anglers on Lake Palestine was one of sheer disbelief.
“The feeling I have right now is crazy because I didn’t think I had any shot at the $25,000,” Roy said. “I honestly feel great because now I’m going to have a chance at a $50,000 fish on Wednesday because of how well I fished today.”
The Covercraft pro was able to catch his 6-9 on Saturday after a terribly slow start to his morning. Roy went nearly four hours without a scorable bass registered to SCORETRACKER® and he was beginning to second-guess his game plan. Then, as he pulled up to a new area he hadn’t fished yet, he let off one more cast.
“The fish I caught was a female that hadn’t spawned out yet I don’t think,” Roy said. “She was up pretty shallow, looking for a male. I pitched to her and she just swallowed that floating worm. It’s the only fish I caught in two days on that floating worm and I’m glad it was that one.”
Roy now advances to the Knockout Round along with six others in Group A, although he had to work to get above the cut line on Monday. He began his morning in 10th place and 2-6 below the cut line. Roy added seven bass for 18-15 after only managing two for 9-11 on Saturday, giving him a two-day total of 28-10. That weight was enough to give Roy a sixth-place finish in Group A and a spot in Wednesday’s Knockout Round.
With $25,000 in his pocket and a chance for a whole lot more on the horizon, Roy said he’s grateful that he and his fellow anglers get the opportunity to fish an event like Heavy Hitters.
“This is such a neat event for us as anglers,” Roy said. “I’m walking away with $25,000 today, but I’m going to have a chance at $50,000 on Wednesday and then, if I make it, $100,000 or even $200,000 on Thursday. There’s not any events like this anywhere else.”
DeFoe Advances to Championship Round
There’s just something about DeFoe and MLF events in the Lone Star State. DeFoe has three MLF wins in Texas in the past two years — two Bass Pro Tour trophies and one Heritage Cup trophy — and is in great position to add another.
“It’s funny because this state has been really good to me and I’m catching them right now like I did in that win on Lake Fork,” DeFoe said. “These fish are ridiculously shallow and they love cover. Doesn’t matter how shallow they are, they love cover and that’s what I’m focusing on.”
DeFoe is advancing straight to the Championship Round of Heavy Hitters after winning Group A on Monday. DeFoe finished 14-15 ahead of second place Takahiro Omori and will fish on Thursday for a shot at not just $100,000 for a win, but another $100,000 for the big bass of the day.
Two days away from an ever-changing Lake Palestine may seem as though it would make DeFoe hesitant, but the Tennessee pro is confident that the fishing is only going to get better by the time he returns to Palestine.
“The final day is setting up as the best day for sight-fishing this whole week,” DeFoe said with a hint of excitement in his voice. “I’m not having to survive anything and I’m not having to beat up anything to get there. I saw a lot of new fish today as well, so I’m excited to see what happens Thursday.”
Daily Leaders
- The Berkley Big Bass of the Day was Justin Lucas’ 5-10.
- DeFoe had the most weight on SCORETRACKER® with 21-7.
- DeFoe and Roy had the most scoreable bass in the round with seven.
What’s Next & How to Watch
Group B returns to Lake Palestine after an off day for their second and final day of qualifying. Those 16 anglers will look to position themselves on SCORETRACKER® above the cut line while also searching for a $25,000 big bass. Stephen Browning leads Group B, while the group’s big bass belongs to Brent Ehrler with his 8-5.
The competition kicks off at 8 a.m. CST. Live coverage of the fourth day of General Tire Heavy Hitters Presented by Bass Pro Shops starts at 7:45 a.m. CST on the MLF NOW! live stream. Watch for free on MajorLeagueFishing.com, the MLF app, or the MyOutdoorTV app.