Backstage in Syracuse

The first flight of anglers begin to bring their fish to the scales on Day 1 of the Bass Pro Shops Northern Open #1 on Oneida Lake.
The first flight of anglers begin to bring their fish to the scales on Day 1 of the Bass Pro Shops Northern Open #1 on Oneida Lake.
The anglers then prepare to carry their bags to the holding tanks backstage.
The anglers then prepare to carry their bags to the holding tanks backstage.
It was obvious Jesse Tacorante had a solid bag of fish...
It was obvious Jesse Tacorante had a solid bag of fish…
...his competitors looked in his bag and knew, too.
…his competitors looked in his bag and knew, too.
Paul Hudson from the New York B.A.S.S. Federation helped backstage with fish care at the release boat.
Paul Hudson from the New York B.A.S.S. Federation helped backstage with fish care at the release boat.
Spectators had a perfect New York afternoon to enjoy the Day 1 weigh-in.
Spectators had a perfect New York afternoon to enjoy the Day 1 weigh-in.
Later flights begin to arrive at the docks.
Later flights begin to arrive at the docks.
Chris Noffsinger would take the initial lead with 16 pounds, 3 ounces...
Chris Noffsinger would take the initial lead with 16 pounds, 3 ounces…
...but Noffsinger's lead was short-lived after Jesse Tacorante brought his 18 pounds to the scales.
…but Noffsinger’s lead was short-lived after Jesse Tacorante brought his 18 pounds to the scales.
B.A.S.S. staffer Robert Jones fizzed fish that had been caught deep.
B.A.S.S. staffer Robert Jones fizzed fish that had been caught deep.
B.A.S.S. writer John Neporadny grabbed Jesse Tacorante for a quick interview after he took the lead.
B.A.S.S. writer John Neporadny grabbed Jesse Tacorante for a quick interview after he took the lead.
The dock area became very busy as later flights began to check-in.
The dock area became very busy as later flights began to check-in.
And the began to sack their fish to take to the scales.
And the began to sack their fish to take to the scales.
Adjacent to the docks, New Yorkers were enjoying a perfect afternoon on the beach at Oneida Shore Park.
Adjacent to the docks, New Yorkers were enjoying a perfect afternoon on the beach at Oneida Shore Park.
Several anglers had a combination of quality largemouth and smallmouth bass.
Several anglers had a combination of quality largemouth and smallmouth bass.
There are several Elite Series anglers fishing this week, including west coast legend John Murray.
There are several Elite Series anglers fishing this week, including west coast legend John Murray.
With 199 boats fishing, it takes awhile to get everybody weighed in.
With 199 boats fishing, it takes awhile to get everybody weighed in.
But that left more time for photographers to take photos of their favorite anglers.
But that left more time for photographers to take photos of their favorite anglers.
At the end of the day there would be only one competitor at the top of the standings...
At the end of the day there would be only one competitor at the top of the standings…
...and that was Randy Elliott.
…and that was Randy Elliott.
Elliott holds up two the smallmouth that anchored his 19-pound, 3-ounce limit of fish.
Elliott holds up two the smallmouth that anchored his 19-pound, 3-ounce limit of fish.
Elliott said he thought he felt good about catching another solid limit tomorrow.
Elliott said he thought he felt good about catching another solid limit tomorrow.
This is Elliott's first time to lead a Bassmaster event, and that put a big smile on his face.
This is Elliott’s first time to lead a Bassmaster event, and that put a big smile on his face.