July 24, 2023
Catching the biggest bag of the tournament on the final day, Georgia's Trent Palmer won the National Professional Fishing League event at Saginaw Bay in Michigan with a three-day total of 62 pounds, 12 ounces.
Surviving the first day with a limit weighing 18-08, he added 21-10 on Day 2 and a final-day showing of 22-10.
At the end of the day, Palmer knew his motor was on its last legs and called the tournament director to confirm he could call on his roommate for a tow back in if needed. When he got ahold of 2nd-place finisher Patrick Walters, they made the long run together and got back in time.
“I was praying my motor would hold together and once I got to my last spot, I knew I could make it,” said Palmer. “A big thanks to Patrick for automatically coming over to help me out as soon as I called.”
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Palmer got off to a fast start on the final morning despite thinking the opposite would occur. When he got to his first spot, the fish were biting and he went to work with his electronics and caught his weight.
“I don’t have a ton of experience here and I thought they would be slow first thing, but they were hammering until about noon,” said Palmer. “I had my weight by 11 a.m. and it was definitely a lot faster than I expected today.”
Walters weighed in 15 smallmouth to narrowly miss his second consecutive NPFL victory with a total weight of 62-10. He finished just two ounces behind his good friend Palmer. Mike Corbishley was third with 52-01.
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Stu Martel (49-08), Barron Adams (48-04), Todd Goade (47-02), Will Harkins (47-01), Louis Fernandes (46-04), Sheldon Collings (45-08) and Hunter Baughman (44-15) rounded out the Top 10.
