Messer Wins St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Harris Chain of Lakes
LEESBURG, Fla. — Two weeks ago, Matt Messer wondered how he would pay for his 2024 tournament entry fees. But winning the St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Harris Chain of Lakes completely changed that outlook.
After leading Day 1 with 24 pounds, 6 ounces, the Warfield, Ky., angler added a second-round total of 15-7 and tallied 39-13. Edging Blake Sylvester of Plaquemine, La., by 1-12, Messer won $42,467 and an automatic berth in the 2024 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic scheduled for March 22-24 in Tulsa, Okla.
“I’ve been dreaming of the Classic since I was 5 and now I get a shot at it,” Messer said. “I can hardly talk. I’m torn all to pieces.”
Messer, who won the 2022 Strike King Bassmaster College Series at Harris Chain presented by Bass Pro Shops with his brother and Kentucky Christian University teammate Lafe Messer, caught both day’s limits in Lake Griffin. While Day 1 yielded a 7-14 and a 7-2, the second round saw his lone shot at a kicker fizzle.
“I did not think I was going to catch ‘em,” Messer admits. “I was grinding and I got one big bite, but I didn’t get it in the boat. It was like a 7-pounder.
“I was (discouraged), but I told myself, ‘If it’s the Lord’s plan, it’s going to happen.’”
Messer would end up catching his fish on a Texas-rigged Berkley PowerBait MaxScent Creature Hawg and a 1/4-ounce Boogerman buzzbait. The latter would deliver the day-making fish right before Messer’s trip back to the weigh-in.
“I came back (from Lake Griffin) and there were boats lined up at the lock,” he said. “I asked (the anglers) if I could fish in front of them while they waited. I trolled by them, threw a buzzbait against the wall and at 3:45, I caught a 3 1/2-pounder.”
Calling the Harris Chain his favorite fishery, Messer said a key Day 1 decision likely determined his fate.
“Yesterday, I was going through the Dead River,” he said. “I was going to go to Lake Dora to catch a limit. I knew I could go and catch enough to get a check. But I started thinking that I really didn’t care about getting a check on this place — I wanted to win.
“I went to Griffin about 11 o’clock with two bass in my livewell. I caught those two 7s, and it just worked out.”
Lafe Messer of Warfield, Ky., won the $750 Phoenix Boats Big Bass award for his 8-12.
Photos courtesy of: Andy Crawford/Bassmaster and Dalton Tumblin/Bassmaster
Courtesy of: David A. Brown/Bassmaster