2011 Elite Series Alabama Charge – Day One – OTW II

Jump into the boat of your favorite Elite Series angler, on day one of the 2011 Alabama Charge.

James Stricklin makes a cast early on Day One of the Alabama Charge.
James Stricklin makes a cast early on Day One of the Alabama Charge.
Skeet Reese fishes one of the many towering bluffs along Pickwick Lake.
Skeet Reese fishes one of the many towering bluffs along Pickwick Lake.
Recreational anglers were enjoying a day of spring fishing.
Recreational anglers were enjoying a day of spring fishing.
Dennis Tietje catches a keeper.
Dennis Tietje catches a keeper.
Dennis Tietje shared water with local anglers.
Dennis Tietje shared water with local anglers.
Derek Remitz hopes to bounce back from a tough start in the 2011 Elite Series season. Remitz is currently last in the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year Standings.
Derek Remitz hopes to bounce back from a tough start in the 2011 Elite Series season. Remitz is currently last in the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year Standings.
Local favorite Timmy Horton was running several spots early in the day.
Local favorite Timmy Horton was running several spots early in the day.
James Stricklin hurls a long cast early on Day One.
James Stricklin hurls a long cast early on Day One.
David Walker fishes shallow while Randy Howell makes a move downriver.
David Walker fishes shallow while Randy Howell makes a move downriver.
A long point below Wilson Dam was a popular spot on Day One.
A long point below Wilson Dam was a popular spot on Day One.
Dennis Tietje hooks up with his first fish of the day.
Dennis Tietje hooks up with his first fish of the day.
Tietje takes a seat to finish the fight.
Tietje takes a seat to finish the fight.
Tietje pulls the keeper smallmouth into the boat.
Tietje pulls the keeper smallmouth into the boat.
Timmy Horton makes a cast in the main river channel.
Timmy Horton makes a cast in the main river channel.
Timmy Horton and Grant Goldbeck make a drift below the Wilson Dam.
Timmy Horton and Grant Goldbeck make a drift below the Wilson Dam.
Aaron Martens boats his best keeper of the morning.
Aaron Martens boats his best keeper of the morning.
Very strong current was present below Wilson Dam.
Very strong current was present below Wilson Dam.
Similar to last year's tournament on Pickwick Lake, the area below Wilson Dam was a popular location.
Similar to last year’s tournament on Pickwick Lake, the area below Wilson Dam was a popular location.
Aaron Martens jerks a striper into the boat.
Aaron Martens jerks a striper into the boat.
Steve Kennedy said his fishing location was full of bass during practice, but fish like this drum had moved into the area in big numbers.
Steve Kennedy said his fishing location was full of bass during practice, but fish like this drum had moved into the area in big numbers.
Kennedy moves upstream to try a small eddy pocket.
Kennedy moves upstream to try a small eddy pocket.
Kennedy pulls a small keeper bass into the boat.
Kennedy pulls a small keeper bass into the boat.
Kennedy gives the camera a better look at the small keeper.
Kennedy gives the camera a better look at the small keeper.
David Walker flips a bait to an isolated rock pile.
David Walker flips a bait to an isolated rock pile.
Matt Reed speeds to another fishing location.
Matt Reed speeds to another fishing location.
Paul Elias was fishing within casting distance of Wilson Dam.
Paul Elias was fishing within casting distance of Wilson Dam.
Bernie Schultz couldn't keep striped bass from eating his bait.
Bernie Schultz couldn’t keep striped bass from eating his bait.
Greg Vinson was also fishing close to Wilson Dam.
Greg Vinson was also fishing close to Wilson Dam.
Keith Poche fights to pull up his anchor after hanging it in the rocks.
Keith Poche fights to pull up his anchor after hanging it in the rocks.
Several anglers were sharing water below Wilson Dam.
Several anglers were sharing water below Wilson Dam.
Paul Elias fights a sizeable striped bass to the boat.
Paul Elias fights a sizeable striped bass to the boat.
Elias struggles to keep his boat out of the rocks while he releases the striper.
Elias struggles to keep his boat out of the rocks while he releases the striper.
Elias gives the striper a heave after unhooking it from his bait.
Elias gives the striper a heave after unhooking it from his bait.
Bernie Schultz makes a long cast along the dam wall.
Bernie Schultz makes a long cast along the dam wall.
Kota Kiriyama sets up to fish a large rock.
Kota Kiriyama sets up to fish a large rock.
Several anglers crossed paths early on Day One.
Several anglers crossed paths early on Day One.
Pete Ponds was fan casting a crankbait along the base of the dam.
Pete Ponds was fan casting a crankbait along the base of the dam.
Greg Vinson comes off plane and joins the fray below Wilson Dam.
Greg Vinson comes off plane and joins the fray below Wilson Dam.
Keith Poche drifts downstream to fish huge boulders and rocks strewn in the water.
Keith Poche drifts downstream to fish huge boulders and rocks strewn in the water.
Bernie Schultz stands on his trolling motor to fight the heavy current being released from Wilson Dam.
Bernie Schultz stands on his trolling motor to fight the heavy current being released from Wilson Dam.
While making a drift, Aaron Martens fishes from his seat.
While making a drift, Aaron Martens fishes from his seat.
Randy Howell said he only had one small keeper in the boat.
Randy Howell said he only had one small keeper in the boat.