ALX Rods Pro Palmer Triumphs in NPFL Bass Tournament on Saginaw Bay

In a remarkable display of angling prowess, seasoned angler Trent Palmer emerged as the victor in the highly competitive NPFL (National Professional Fishing League) Bass Tournament held on the hallowed waters of Saginaw Bay. With keen strategy, precise technique, and a dash of luck, Palmer showcased his mastery of the sport, leaving the competition in awe. Let's delve into the techniques and gear that led him to this outstanding achievement.

Location:

Palmer discovered a unique pattern during prepractice. A stereotypical pattern for Great Lakes smallies is big boulders. In contrast, he found a solid pattern on much smaller rock. “What it was was very small gravel rock on the tip of a sandy point” said Palmer. His key area was a 9 mile sandy point with two spots that were perfect.

Graphs:

Electronics played a huge roll in finding these locations and determining that the fish were transitioning to the smaller gravel. Palmer used a combination of all three major graph brands. He feels each brand has a lock on each skill set -waypoint management, mapping, and 360 & forward facing sonar - and then blends their use to his advantage.

"Lots of these fish were pulling up to feed" and he saw the the majority of fish he caught on live scope. 2D also played a role in targeting fish that slid in or he drifted over.

Techniques:

Palmer used a drift technique to fish the long points. It would take him up 30 minutes to complete a drift on his main area and drift smaller areas for around 5-10 minutes, waiting to find fish that were moving in to feed. Gobies were abundant, so Palmer used that as his cue for the right baits to use. 

"I had about 4 baits I transitioned between" stated Palmer. He used a flat worm, a z too, smaller swimbaits and a NED Rig. "If I saw the fish I would cast right at it. If it didn't react, I'd reel in, throw a different bait at it and it was just a matter of trying to figure out what bait and presentation that particular fish wanted. Every fish had a different personality."

Rods:

Palmer relied on five main rods for targeting his quality smallmouth bites.

ZOLO Diplomat and ZOLO Trickster - drop shotting

ZOLO McSmalls and ENOX Wizard - NED and small swimbaits

ZOLO Jerkbait - Small swimbaits and jerkbaits

Trent Palmer's well-honed techniques, combined with his strategic use of electronics, baits and rods, resulted in a resounding victory at the NPFL Bass Tournament on Saginaw Bay. His expertise in finesse presentations allowed him to adapt to varying fishing conditions and capitalize on the behavior of both lethargic and aggressive bass. As a true testament to his skills, Trent Palmer's triumph serves as an inspiration to anglers everywhere, showcasing the art and science of bass fishing at its finest.