Fenwick Pro Ott Defoe Wins Bassmaster Elite Series Tourney

Mississippi River Gives Defoe First Career Elite Win

With his B.A.S.S. Rookie of the Year in 2011 title and five-time Bassmaster Classic qualifier, Ott Defoe can now add Bassmaster Elite Series victor to his resume. The Fenwick pro won the four-day event on the Mississippi River at La Crosse, Wis. His final weight of 63-10 was just over one-pound more than the second place finisher.

The Knoxville, Tenn. Native fished the entire tournament in Pool 8 of the Upper Mississippi River. He spent mornings in front of a low-head spillway before ending his day on grass flats at the southern end of the pool.

The water flow from Pool 7 slowly poured into Pool 8 causing some turbulent flow in the mornings attracting baitfish. Defoe used a 7-foot Fenwick Elite Tech medium-action rod paired with a Pflueger Patriarch 7.1:1 low profile baitcasting reel spooled with 15-pound 100% Berkley Fluorocarbon line.

The flats at the southern end of Pool 8 had matted grass ideal for punching heavy jigs. Defoe selected a 7-foot, 8-inch Fenwick World Class rod with a Pflueger Patriarch 7.9:1 low profile baitcasting reel packed with 65-pound Trilene Braid line.

Defoe won $100,000 for the tournament win plus a bonus of $1500 for the tournament’s largest bass, a 6-1 lunker caught on Friday from his morning spot.