Fishing News
Yamaha Pro Brandon Palaniuk Dominates Bassmaster Elite Tournament on Lake Okeechobee
Posted 3/3/2025
OKEECHOBEE, Fla. – March 3, 2025 — Yamaha Pro Brandon Palaniuk won the second Bassmaster Elite Series of the season Sunday, March 2, on Lake Okeechobee, dominating the field with a four-day bass total of 95 pounds, 4 ounces. The victory marks the sixth Elite win for the pro from Rathbun, Idaho, who also holds two Angler of the Year titles, as well as a B.A.S.S Nation National Champion title.
Reviewing this week’s accomplishment, Palaniuk said marking a half dozen Elite victories has stoked his fire for future achievement.
“We’re not done yet,” Palaniuk said. “I’m 15 years into it; I figure I have at least that many more. I feel like we’re just getting started.”
Starting strong with a third-place, Palaniuk moved into the day two lead by sacking up 34 pounds, 10 ounces — his personal best and the heaviest bag weighed in a Bassmaster Elite at Lake Okeechobee. That feat sent Palaniuk into day three with a 9 pounds, 12-ounce lead over the day one leader.
On Semifinal Saturday, the fish shied from the previous days’ pressure. Enduring a few painful losses and a close call that sent a big crankbait colliding with his face (no serious injury), Palaniuk caught 23 pounds and expanded his lead to an 18-3 advantage over the day one leader.
Palaniuk endured a stingy day four and sealed the deal with a final-round limit of 14 pounds, 3 ounces. Edging John Garrett by 15 pounds, 13 ounces — the fourth-largest winning margin in Bassmaster Elite history and Palaniuk’s second double-digit win— he collected the $102,000 top prize.
The final round started slowly for Palaniuk, as the early afternoon found him with only four fish for less than 10 pounds. Losing a key fish sent him huddling to his deck, but Palaniuk recomposed himself, got back to work and ended his day with a 5 1/2-pounder.
Yamaha pros took five of the top 10 spots during the tournament. John Garrett placed second place with a total of 79 pounds, 7 ounces, Kyoya Fujita placed third with 77 pounds, 4 ounces, David Gaston finished sixth with 68 pounds, 4 ounces, and Jason Christie placed 10th with 54 pounds, 5 ounces. Team Yamaha made a solid start to the season with back-to-back Elite wins. Bill Lowen took home the coveted blue trophy on the St. John’s River on February 23.
As part of the Yamaha Power Pay program, Palaniuk earned an additional $4,000 while Garrett claimed an additional $1,500 for being the second-highest placing entrant. Fujita and Gatson both earned $1,000 for being the third- and fourth-highest placing entrant, respectively.
Yamaha Marine products are marketed throughout the United States and around the world. Yamaha Marine Engine Systems, based in Kennesaw, Ga., supports its 2,000 U.S. dealers and boat builders with marketing, training and parts for Yamaha’s full line of products and strives to be the industry leader in reliability, technology and customer service. Yamaha Marine is the only outboard brand to have earned NMMA®’s C.S.I. Customer Satisfaction Index award every year since its inception. Visit www.yamahaoutboards.com.
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This document contains many of Yamaha's valuable trademarks. It may also contain trademarks belonging to other companies. Any references to other companies or their products are for identification purposes only and are not intended to be an endorsement.
REMEMBER to always observe all applicable boating laws. Never drink and drive. Dress properly with a USCG-approved personal floatation device and protective gear.
© 2025 Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. All rights reserved.
Reviewing this week’s accomplishment, Palaniuk said marking a half dozen Elite victories has stoked his fire for future achievement.
“We’re not done yet,” Palaniuk said. “I’m 15 years into it; I figure I have at least that many more. I feel like we’re just getting started.”
Starting strong with a third-place, Palaniuk moved into the day two lead by sacking up 34 pounds, 10 ounces — his personal best and the heaviest bag weighed in a Bassmaster Elite at Lake Okeechobee. That feat sent Palaniuk into day three with a 9 pounds, 12-ounce lead over the day one leader.
On Semifinal Saturday, the fish shied from the previous days’ pressure. Enduring a few painful losses and a close call that sent a big crankbait colliding with his face (no serious injury), Palaniuk caught 23 pounds and expanded his lead to an 18-3 advantage over the day one leader.
Palaniuk endured a stingy day four and sealed the deal with a final-round limit of 14 pounds, 3 ounces. Edging John Garrett by 15 pounds, 13 ounces — the fourth-largest winning margin in Bassmaster Elite history and Palaniuk’s second double-digit win— he collected the $102,000 top prize.
The final round started slowly for Palaniuk, as the early afternoon found him with only four fish for less than 10 pounds. Losing a key fish sent him huddling to his deck, but Palaniuk recomposed himself, got back to work and ended his day with a 5 1/2-pounder.
Yamaha pros took five of the top 10 spots during the tournament. John Garrett placed second place with a total of 79 pounds, 7 ounces, Kyoya Fujita placed third with 77 pounds, 4 ounces, David Gaston finished sixth with 68 pounds, 4 ounces, and Jason Christie placed 10th with 54 pounds, 5 ounces. Team Yamaha made a solid start to the season with back-to-back Elite wins. Bill Lowen took home the coveted blue trophy on the St. John’s River on February 23.
As part of the Yamaha Power Pay program, Palaniuk earned an additional $4,000 while Garrett claimed an additional $1,500 for being the second-highest placing entrant. Fujita and Gatson both earned $1,000 for being the third- and fourth-highest placing entrant, respectively.
Yamaha Marine products are marketed throughout the United States and around the world. Yamaha Marine Engine Systems, based in Kennesaw, Ga., supports its 2,000 U.S. dealers and boat builders with marketing, training and parts for Yamaha’s full line of products and strives to be the industry leader in reliability, technology and customer service. Yamaha Marine is the only outboard brand to have earned NMMA®’s C.S.I. Customer Satisfaction Index award every year since its inception. Visit www.yamahaoutboards.com.
###
This document contains many of Yamaha's valuable trademarks. It may also contain trademarks belonging to other companies. Any references to other companies or their products are for identification purposes only and are not intended to be an endorsement.
REMEMBER to always observe all applicable boating laws. Never drink and drive. Dress properly with a USCG-approved personal floatation device and protective gear.
© 2025 Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. All rights reserved.