BASS Elite angler Chris Johnston, of Otonabee, completed the final occasion of the 2022 Bassmaster Elite season only a few ounces shy of victory.
Competing in late August on the four-day Assured Price Bassmaster Elite Mississippi River occasion at La Crosse, Wisconsin, Johnston led the occasion on day two and three. When the ultimate bass was weighed, Johnston’s four-day whole of 20 bass of 63 kilos, simply 4 ounces wanting winner Bryan Schmitt’s first place catch.
Schmitt of Deale, Maryland, claimed the $100,000 prime prize.
“I’m somewhat pissed off. I did effectively however you don’t get loads of probabilities like that and once you do, it’s important to capitalize on them,” Johnston stated.
Repeated stings
The sting of such a slim miss wouldn’t have been so dangerous had it not been a repeat of one other second-place end on the Assured Price Bassmaster Elite Lake Oahe occasion in South Dakota the week prior. Johnston led that occasion on day two however finally fell simply three kilos wanting winner Austin Felix.
The string of prime finishes vaulted Johnston to 3rd within the 2022 Progressive Elite Sequence Angler of the 12 months standings, 23 factors behind Brandon Palaniuk of Rathdrum, Idaho, who was topped prime angler. That is Palaniuk’s second Angler of the 12 months title.
Having narrowly missed two victories and being so near the Angler of the 12 months title was bittersweet for Johnston.
“It was an ideal yr, however I wish to win one. Ending second makes me wish to win much more. Final yr, I completed second and this yr third for Angler of the 12 months and I need that title badly,” he stated.
Jeff Gustafson of Kenora ranked 14th and Johnson’s massive brother Cory of Peterborough positioned 18th within the Angler of the 12 months standings. All three have certified for the 2023 Bassmaster Traditional, which can be held in Knoxville, Tennessee from March 24-26.
