Up close on Hartwell

Get up close with the anglers on Lake Hartwell Day 1 of the 2015 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro.

Brett Hite dupes a bass in shallow water and fights it to the boat.
Brett Hite dupes a bass in shallow water and fights it to the boat.
The bass desperately tries to escape...
The bass desperately tries to escape…
...but Hite successfully hoists it into his Ranger.
…but Hite successfully hoists it into his Ranger.
The cold water has these bass frisky when hooked.
The cold water has these bass frisky when hooked.
This was his third keeper of the day.
This was his third keeper of the day.
Hite eyes the camera and says that a third-quarter rally was underway.
Hite eyes the camera and says that a third-quarter rally was underway.
He adds it to the box.
He adds it to the box.
True to his Western roots, Hite kept a spinning rod in hand for a while. He filled out his limit in short order with it.
True to his Western roots, Hite kept a spinning rod in hand for a while. He filled out his limit in short order with it.
The unblinking eye of a GoPro watches his every move.
The unblinking eye of a GoPro watches his every move.
On board with Skeet Reese, the California angler was having a good day and was in high spirits.
On board with Skeet Reese, the California angler was having a good day and was in high spirits.
When the rides got chilly, Reese donned a Save Phace mask.
When the rides got chilly, Reese donned a Save Phace mask.
Other times when he let the big Merc’ eat, he grinned and bared it.
Other times when he let the big Merc’ eat, he grinned and bared it.
GoPros abound at the 2015 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro.
GoPros abound at the 2015 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro.
Time to retie.
Time to retie.
See ya later, Skeet!
See ya later, Skeet!
Let’s climb aboard Mike Iaconelli’s BassCat.
Let’s climb aboard Mike Iaconelli’s BassCat.
Iaconelli was working more open water, as much of the field was.
Iaconelli was working more open water, as much of the field was.
Ike eyes his electronics.
Ike eyes his electronics.
He senses a bite and sets the hook…but there was nothing there. It OK, though, hooksets are free.
He senses a bite and sets the hook…but there was nothing there. It OK, though, hooksets are free.
Ike fires a cast with a crankbait…
Ike fires a cast with a crankbait…
…right into the jaws of a waiting bass!
…right into the jaws of a waiting bass!
“It’s a good one,” he says.
“It’s a good one,” he says.
It’s a really good one…”
It’s a really good one…”
Unfortunately, it’s the wrong species.
Unfortunately, it’s the wrong species.
Time to cut it loose.
Time to cut it loose.