Their tournament success would be less than remarkable if only a few teams had entered the Six-Man, but 50 of the state’s B.A.S.S. federated clubs actually competed and generally sent their top-six anglers. Most teams practiced on (pre-fished) Lake Murray extensively and were well-prepared, and the competition was stiff. The accurate conclusion is that the Greenwood Bassmasters had a truly incredible tournament.
Necessary for team success in tournament bass fishing is individual success, and the Greenwood Bassmasters had more than their share of that, too. Team members Bryan Gunter, Dusty Turner, Bradley Gunter, Stanley Gunter, Sammy Harvely and Richard Lupo all finished easily in the top 15%, and Bryan Gunter (1st place individual), Dusty Turner (3rd place individual) and Bradley Gunter (7th place individual) all finished in the top 10. Bryan Gunter and Dusty Turner qualified for the state team with their individual performances since they were in the top four individuals, and Bradley Gunter earned the right to fish in the South Carolina B.A.S.S. Federation State Championship this November on Lake Hartwell where the top six anglers will qualify to join eight others on the state team. For the Greenwood Bassmasters in the Six-Man team and individual success were closely linked.
There were two main components to the Greenwood Bassmasters’ convincing victory on Lake Murray. The first was a thorough understanding of Lake Murray bass fishing developed through extensive preparation and practice, and the second related factor was a “team-first” philosophy. Stanley Gunter of the Greenwood Bassmasters also says that a little good luck didn’t hurt, either.
The pattern
To a greater extent that any other team competing in the Six-Man the Greenwood Bassmasters figured out the early October pattern on Lake Murray. Most anglers and local experts agreed that the bite was overall tough in the week leading up to the tournament and on the Friday and Saturday of the Six-Man. Fluctuating weather and the overall health of the Lake Murray bass fishery being down (read about it here and here) were probably responsible. Still, someone almost always figures out the fish, but the Greenwood Bassmasters did it in more impressive fashion than is typical.
Preparing for the tournament the Greenwood Bassmasters discovered that the better fish were out from the banks in deeper water but not orienting to the bottom – what Captain Doug Lown calls the “suspended bite”. These fish were generally in small schools of five to ten bass that were relating to particular areas. With only a few exceptions they were not showing themselves on the surface. Every single one of their fish was caught off of a point, and generally the water was 15-25 feet deep. While the fish weren’t schooling on the surface they would come up to take a bait and topwater lures were the ticket, particularly Sammys and Sebilles. A few fish were also caught on Flukes.
According to Stanley Gunter by tournament time the Greenwood Bassmasters had about thirty spots (points) where they knew the fish would be found. These were generally located mid-lake, and the team did not run very far from Dreher Island State Park. Stanley says that the second through fifth place teams were also fishing for suspended bass in similar areas, but the bulk of the teams outside of the top were fishing shallower.
Stanley thinks the Greenwood Bassmasters were also the beneficiaries of some good luck, and the club actually found some fish during the tournament that were better than the ones they had found pre-fishing. In addition to lots of 3 to 3 ½ pound fish they picked up some “bonus fish” in the fours and several very close to five pounds. Their big fish was a 5.37 pound bass that Stanley caught the first day.
Tournament Strategy
The Greenwood Bassmasters were able to be as successful as they were in the Six-Man largely because they figured out a reliable pattern and found good spots. The reason that was possible, however, was because of a team oriented strategy in advance of the tournament. And by fishing as a team during the tournament and within each boat they were able to win so decisively. According to Stanley Gunter the Greenwood Bassmasters won because of “plain team work – that’s all there was to it.”
In the lead up to the tournament the Greenwood Bassmasters shared everything with each other. They told each other where they were fishing and how they were catching bass. They even shared way points. By discussing everything and keeping no secrets from each other they were able to multiply the benefits of their pre-fishing and unlock more and more of the puzzle. It seems elementary that teams would share everything if they want to succeed as a team, but total transparency is not usually the norm.
In addition to cooperation in advance of the tournament the Greenwood Bassmasters benefited from cooperation during the tournament. On the days of the tournament communication between teams over mobile phones is prohibited, but if you run into team mates on the water you are allowed to converse. Because the Greenwood Bassmasters knew all of each other’s spots and were fishing in similar areas they would run into each other throughout the day.
Cooperation during the tournament included coordination with the other boats but equally important was cooperation within the boats. Instead of focusing on individual weights the Greenwood Bassmasters realized the importance of making sure both anglers had healthy sacks. Since they had pinpointed where the bass were likely to be at each of their spots they were able to control who was more likely to get bit by letting the angler who needed another fish cast first. Additionally, since Stanley Gunter had already qualified for the state team through the Federation Trail he let his son and partner Bryan throw first a lot of times. Still Bryan fished very well and on the final day Stanley admits “he whooped me.”
Bass fishermen are taught to protect information and many anglers in the Six-Man were reluctant to show all of their cards even to teammates (who they knew they would have to compete against in club tournaments down the road). However, team work not only helped the Greenwood Bassmasters achieve as a team, it also helped them achieve as individuals. With three anglers in the top ten individually, including the first and third place fishermen, and all of their anglers in the top 15%, this strategy clearly worked. Three Greenwood Bassmasters will already represent South Carolina on the state team and a fourth will have a chance to qualify on Lake Hartwell this November. The results prove there is not a tradeoff between individual and team success in the Six-Man.
Dusty Turner, Sammy Harvely and Richard Lupo were half of the Greenwood Bassmasters’ team, and the other half was the father and sons trio of Stanley Gunter and his sons Bryan and Bradley. Based on their showing in the Six-Man tournament and their consistent success in other tournaments it might be appropriate to call the Gunters the “first family” of South Carolina bass fishing. With two Gunters already on the state team and with Bradley having a chance to qualify in a few weeks they will doubtless be important if South Carolina is to place well at the Southern championships next March in Georgia. For now, though, the Gunters and the Greenwood Bassmasters deserve to bask a little bit longer in their success last weekend, although I’m sure they are already looking ahead to other tournaments. At the least, though, Stanley Gunter, who turned 51 on Sunday October 11, says he received one of the best birthday presents he can remember a day earlier!
My thanks to Stanley Gunter for his generosity in sharing with me and SCFishingReport.com’s readers some of the Greenwood Bassmasters’ tournament tactics and their thoughts about fall bass fishing on Lake Murray. Congratulations again to the team and good luck next year!
The First Place Greenwood Bassmasters