Gwinnett County Ga – The Bassmaster Elite Series blew into my home town over the weekend for a stop at fabled Lake Lanier. Shifting weather patterns and intermittent rain and wind weren’t enough to keep the bag limits low. This was a spotted bass tournament, but it was a big one.
It would take 69 pounds of spotted bass to bring home the win for Mueller to out-duel Chris Zaldain who led the field going into championship Sunday. And he did it in an unusual way.
A little background: Lake Lanier is a blueback herring lake. Blueback herring are nomadic, unlike shad which hold to structure and points for long periods of time. When the herring start to move, the bass typically do the same.
Mueller said he found a large, underwater ridge that held and produced fish for him throughout the tournament. “Who would have thought you could win this tournament — a blueback herring tournament — off of one spot?” he said.
As a local myself, I can attest to how unusual this is, but it worked and resulted in a $100,000 check for the first time Elite Series winner.