Day 1 begins on Wheeler

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Day 1 of the fourth stop of the Bassmaster Elite Series is underway on Lake Wheeler in Decatur, Alabama! Bassmaster GoPro guru Thomas Allen readies one of the many GoPro cameras used to capture the day one action.
Day 1 of the fourth stop of the Bassmaster Elite Series is underway on Lake Wheeler in Decatur, Alabama! Bassmaster GoPro guru Thomas Allen readies one of the many GoPro cameras used to capture the day one action.
Pros launch their boats on the extra wide ramp and quickly park their trucks.
Pros launch their boats on the extra wide ramp and quickly park their trucks.
Shaw Grigsby was busy changing out his hooks to make sure every bite he gets on Wheeler puts a few more pounds in the boat.
Shaw Grigsby was busy changing out his hooks to make sure every bite he gets on Wheeler puts a few more pounds in the boat.
Dennis Tietje had just finished tying on a Strike King spinner bait that he thinks might bring him a few quality fish today.
Dennis Tietje had just finished tying on a Strike King spinner bait that he thinks might bring him a few quality fish today.
Alabama native Matt Lee seemed confident in his swim jig!
Alabama native Matt Lee seemed confident in his swim jig!
HUK pro Chad Pipkens launches his boat under the thick cloud cover of day one.
HUK pro Chad Pipkens launches his boat under the thick cloud cover of day one.
Toyota pro Mike Iaconelli was next to back down the ramp.
Toyota pro Mike Iaconelli was next to back down the ramp.
Yusuke Miyazaki pulls out a few rods and straps them down before blast off.
Yusuke Miyazaki pulls out a few rods and straps them down before blast off.
Brent Chapman warms up his electronics.
Brent Chapman warms up his electronics.
Justin Lucas swings a swim bait over to Brandon Palaniuk for a closer look.
Justin Lucas swings a swim bait over to Brandon Palaniuk for a closer look.
Fletcher Shryock does a quick video for his Marshal about his Day 1 fishing plan.
Fletcher Shryock does a quick video for his Marshal about his Day 1 fishing plan.
“Dollar” Bill Lowen finishes up some last minute rigging.
The last time the Bassmaster Elite Series came to Wheeler GEICO pro David Walker took the win!
The last time the Bassmaster Elite Series came to Wheeler GEICO pro David Walker took the win!
Walker showed us a few baits that he thinks might be key this week in Alabama.
Walker showed us a few baits that he thinks might be key this week in Alabama.
Brett Preuett straps down a few rods as the sun begins to peek through the clouds.
Brett Preuett straps down a few rods as the sun begins to peek through the clouds.
Walker waits patiently as the clock counts down the minutes until take off.
Walker waits patiently as the clock counts down the minutes until take off.
Scott Rook also waits, Power-Poles engaged, as the dark clouds roll overhead.
Scott Rook also waits, Power-Poles engaged, as the dark clouds roll overhead.
Gerald Swindle must be planning on making a few very long casts today. With a can of Pam in hand Swindle lubes up his rod to make sure the line slides through the guides extra smoothly!
Gerald Swindle must be planning on making a few very long casts today. With a can of Pam in hand Swindle lubes up his rod to make sure the line slides through the guides extra smoothly!
Swindle wipes off any extra Pam…
Swindle wipes off any extra Pam…
…then notes that “if the fishin’s slow maybe I’ll need this to grill me up some lunch!”
…then notes that “if the fishin’s slow maybe I’ll need this to grill me up some lunch!”
Anglers line up as takeoff approaches.
Anglers line up as takeoff approaches.
Brock Mosley waits in line just before blast off.
Brock Mosley waits in line just before blast off.
Hot off his recent win on Bull Shoals and Lake Norfork, Randall Tharp talks about his momentum after his win and what this tournament could mean for him as the current Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year points leader.
Hot off his recent win on Bull Shoals and Lake Norfork, Randall Tharp talks about his momentum after his win and what this tournament could mean for him as the current Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year points leader.
As the national anthem plays the anglers fall silent and face the flag.
As the national anthem plays the anglers fall silent and face the flag.
Cliff Crochet pops in an earplug as he glides by the blast off dock.
Cliff Crochet pops in an earplug as he glides by the blast off dock.
Following Crochet was Alabama hammer Matt Lee!
Following Crochet was Alabama hammer Matt Lee!
Kevin VanDam will certainly be one to watch today as he heads out in search of a Lake Wheeler monster bag.
Kevin VanDam will certainly be one to watch today as he heads out in search of a Lake Wheeler monster bag.
With strong momentum from his top 12 finish on Lake Norfork, Chris Zaldain looks pumped to be back on the water and searching for a few big bites!
With strong momentum from his top 12 finish on Lake Norfork, Chris Zaldain looks pumped to be back on the water and searching for a few big bites!
Tennessee river expert Clent Davis gives a nod to the crowd as he heads out onto Lake Wheeler.
Tennessee river expert Clent Davis gives a nod to the crowd as he heads out onto Lake Wheeler.
Gerald Swindle rolls by next…
Gerald Swindle rolls by next…
…then Keith Combs.
…then Keith Combs.
Skeet Reese gives the camera a stare down as he passes by.
Skeet Reese gives the camera a stare down as he passes by.
Jordan Lee looks positive as he heads out for Day 1.
Jordan Lee looks positive as he heads out for Day 1.
Greg Hackney has his game face on.
Greg Hackney has his game face on.
In perfect formation the final anglers head out for day one on Lake Wheeler. Make sure to keep checking Bassmaster.com today for all the latest updates, photos, videos and more from the water!
In perfect formation the final anglers head out for day one on Lake Wheeler. Make sure to keep checking Bassmaster.com today for all the latest updates, photos, videos and more from the water!