Rojas on the water

Dean Rojas gets off to an solid start sight fishing on Day 1 of the Diet Mtn Dew Bassmaster Elite at Lake Guntersville.

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Dean Rojas gets off to an solid start sight fishing on Day 1 of the Diet Mtn Dew Bassmaster Elite at Lake Guntersville.
Dean Rojas gets off to an solid start sight fishing on Day 1 of the Diet Mtn Dew Bassmaster Elite at Lake Guntersville.
Dean sets his sights on a spawner he located during practice.
Dean sets his sights on a spawner he located during practice.
Dean makes repetitive pitches, attempting to annoy the fish until it bites.
Dean makes repetitive pitches, attempting to annoy the fish until it bites.
Though there aren't many pines in this area...
Though there aren’t many pines in this area…
the pollen from the pine trees across the way are making seeing these fish a little difficult.
the pollen from the pine trees across the way are making seeing these fish a little difficult.
Dean pitches to a bed...
Dean pitches to a bed…
and a swing and a miss as the bedder nips at his bait.
and a swing and a miss as the bedder nips at his bait.
Time to adjust the bait a little.
Time to adjust the bait a little.
Another pitch goes out...
Another pitch goes out…
Bingo. Rojas connects.
Bingo. Rojas connects.
Time to swing it in.
Time to swing it in.
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This makes No. 5 for Dean.
This makes No. 5 for Dean.
In the mouth. All fish caught sight fishing have to be hooked in the mouth and verified by a marshal.
In the mouth. All fish caught sight fishing have to be hooked in the mouth and verified by a marshal.
That's a scary smile.
That’s a scary smile.
Dean shows the fish off to the GoPro.
Dean shows the fish off to the GoPro.
Dean sends his Big Bite Bait Warmouth back out into Lake Guntersville.
Dean sends his Big Bite Bait Warmouth back out into Lake Guntersville.
Dean's marshal has a first hand seat for a sight fishing clinic.
Dean’s marshal has a first hand seat for a sight fishing clinic.
Dean hooks up.
Dean hooks up.
The fish sails into the boat...
The fish sails into the boat…
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Another solid fish for Rojas.
Another solid fish for Rojas.
A look at what they're biting.
A look at what they’re biting.
Dean rigs up another bait...
Dean rigs up another bait…
and lets another pitch out.
and lets another pitch out.
Hooked up.
Hooked up.
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Time to cull...
Time to cull…
and make a move. Dean says,
and make a move. Dean says, “We need to catch some four-pounders as he heads off to another pocket…
and instantly delivers.
and instantly delivers.
Dean wrestles the fish towards the boat.
Dean wrestles the fish towards the boat.
The fish runs under the boat..
The fish runs under the boat..
and Dean tries to bring her back out.
and Dean tries to bring her back out.
Time to swing her.
Time to swing her.
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A nice cull.
A nice cull.
These are the kind that Guntersville is known for.
These are the kind that Guntersville is known for.
Dean sets up again.
Dean sets up again.
As the fish enters the boat...
As the fish enters the boat…
it smiles for the GoPro.
it smiles for the GoPro.
And does a little dance.
And does a little dance.
Dean probably feels like dancing with 18-plus in the boat by 9 AM.
Dean probably feels like dancing with 18-plus in the boat by 9 AM.
A little more love...
A little more love…
for the GoPro.
for the GoPro.
And it's time to cull again.
And it’s time to cull again.