Shryock flips his way to first on Day 1 of 2023 Bass Pro Tour season
KISSIMMEE, Fla. – The first day of the 2023 Bass Pro Tour season started off with a bang, thanks to Shin Fukae’s 8-pound, 11-ounce largemouth caught in the first 30 minutes of the first day. But even with his eye-popping 8-pounder, Fukae couldn’t hold onto the top spot on SCORETRACKER® for the entire day at B&W Trailer Hitches Stage One Presented by Grundéns.
Fletcher Shryock ended the day with the Group A lead with 23-6 on his best five fish, thanks largely to two third-period 6-pounders that solidified his lead over Fukae, Jeff Sprague, Jeremy Lawyer and the rest of the 40-man Group A field.
Shryock catches ‘em, but secretive as to how
Shryock and flipping grass go together like Ott DeFoe and bare feet on a boat deck. The Alabama pro caught 11 scorable bass all day, but his five best were a 2-7, 3-1, 4-2, 6-3 and 6-13, all caught flipping grass.
Shryock felt like he had a solid plan after practice, but as the wind rolled through the Kissimmee Chain, it had all but ruined his strategy.
“It started off this morning just not good,” Shryock said. “I had to make adjustments today to be able to catch what I caught. The second and the third periods were really where I made my move.”
A midday flurry earned Shryock four of his best five bass. That flurry pushed him right behind Fukae for first place. Then, the final 6-13 to end his day secured him the top spot. While Shryock remains guarded about exactly how and where he’s catching his fish, he did give a little insight.
“I was being me and doing what I always do — flipping grass,” Shryock said simply. “I alternated between two baits. One is a Florida staple and the other is something I’m working on coming out with for Yamamoto. I’m keeping those baits quiet for now because I want to make sure that I don’t give too much away.”
New format brings mixed results for pros
Day 1 of the 2023 season is also the first day of the five-fish format of the Bass Pro Tour.
“I love the five-fish format paired with the live scoring of SCORETRACKER®,” Shryock said. “Knowing that I only have to catch five fish and I know just how big those five have to be to keep pace is a great feeling and something I’ve never had before.”
Fukae had a similar opinion.
“It’s kind of weird compared to the last four years, but I like it,” Fukae said. “I think I’m more comfortable fishing five fish and I think that showed today.”
Michael Neal felt more confident with the new format as well.
“It was cool to fish five and yet know where you stood all day,” Neal said. “I was struggling to start the day and to know that everyone else was struggling as well was a big deal for my confidence.”
Group A anglers react to VanDam retirement
Some massive news broke while Group A was on the water this morning. Kevin VanDam, widely recognized as the most successful professional bass angler on the planet, announced that 2023 will be his last season fishing on a professional circuit. The news caught many of the pros off guard as they got off the water, but all had nothing but positive things to say about VanDam, his impact on fishing and what they hope for his future.
“I don’t like it and it makes me mad because I want to keep fishing against him,” Shryock said with a chuckle. “I want to fish against the best and Kevin is the best. I want him out here forever. Congrats to Kevin on a hell of a career and he will be greatly missed out here when he’s done.”
Fukae echoed Shryock’s sentiment.
“He’s one of my heroes and I was always chasing him,” Fukae said. “I hope he has a great time in his post-professional-fishing career.”
Neal was surprised by the news.
“I’m shell-shocked hearing that,” Neal said, stunned. “He’s been the man ever since I decided I wanted to be a professional fisherman when I was a little kid. It’s been an honor to compete against him these last few years and I wish him well in whatever is next.”
What’s next for Stage One
Stage One continues Tuesday morning as the 40 anglers in Group B get their first crack at the Kissimmee Chain and begin their 2023 season. Coverage begins at 7:45 a.m. ET at MajorLeagueFishing.com and lines go in at 8 a.m. ET. Group B is headlined by reigning Bally Bet Angler of the Year Jacob Wheeler, Kevin VanDam and Dustin Connell.