Day 1 on Lake St. Clair

Elites look for their limits on Lake St. Clair on Day 1 of the Plano Bassmaster Elite on Lake St. Clair.

Heavy cloud cover moving in marked the first day of the Plano Bassmaster Elite on Lake St. Clair.
Heavy cloud cover moving in marked the first day of the Plano Bassmaster Elite on Lake St. Clair.
Jeff Kriet takes up a position close to the take-off area as the sun starts to peek over the horizon.
Jeff Kriet takes up a position close to the take-off area as the sun starts to peek over the horizon.
The golden sunlight highlighted the first 20 minutes of the morning.
The golden sunlight highlighted the first 20 minutes of the morning.
But it was quickly replaced by clouds.
But it was quickly replaced by clouds.
There would be moments when the sun would break through, as angler like Jared Lintner would start looking for schools of smallmouth.
There would be moments when the sun would break through, as angler like Jared Lintner would start looking for schools of smallmouth.
Despite the promise of light wind it was obvious early on that waves would also be a part of Day 1.
Despite the promise of light wind it was obvious early on that waves would also be a part of Day 1.
Edwin Evers anchors himself to the front of his boat as he makes long casts into St. Clair.
Edwin Evers anchors himself to the front of his boat as he makes long casts into St. Clair.
And he would hook up early.
And he would hook up early.
It was obvious that Evers was happy with the results as he fought a heavy fish.
It was obvious that Evers was happy with the results as he fought a heavy fish.
The battle took several seconds before the fish came close enough to show itself.
The battle took several seconds before the fish came close enough to show itself.
And the splash changed Evers demeanor.
And the splash changed Evers demeanor.
But he still fought the big fish as it sent a spray of water across the front of the boat.
But he still fought the big fish as it sent a spray of water across the front of the boat.
And sent Evers to the passenger seat to land the fish.
And sent Evers to the passenger seat to land the fish.
But it was obvious something was up when Evers grabbed his bait, instead of grabbing a fish.
But it was obvious something was up when Evers grabbed his bait, instead of grabbing a fish.
A half second later and it was obvious as a big muskie exploded out of the lake.
A half second later and it was obvious as a big muskie exploded out of the lake.
It hung in the air like it was surveying the angler who had just hooked him.
It hung in the air like it was surveying the angler who had just hooked him.
Then made a big flip.
Then made a big flip.
And fell back into the water with a big splash.
And fell back into the water with a big splash.
After another muskie that produced a break off, Evers would pull up stakes and move on.
After another muskie that produced a break off, Evers would pull up stakes and move on.
It was a common sight on the lake as anglers moved from spot to spot.
It was a common sight on the lake as anglers moved from spot to spot.
Some of them, like Brandon Card, hooking up.
Some of them, like Brandon Card, hooking up.
And landing fish, even though, his was a short fish on the lake which requires fish to be 14 inches in length.
And landing fish, even though, his was a short fish on the lake which requires fish to be 14 inches in length.
Joe Sancho would work through the lake.
Joe Sancho would work through the lake.
Leaving his trolling motor down when he moved through the rolling waves.
Leaving his trolling motor down when he moved through the rolling waves.
And making big splashes as he moved.
And making big splashes as he moved.
In calmer water, Gerald Swindle would hook up.
In calmer water, Gerald Swindle would hook up.
Producing a Michael Jordanesque sticking out his tongue moment.
Producing a Michael Jordanesque sticking out his tongue moment.
Swindle would hit the driver's seat as his third keeper made a big splash.
Swindle would hit the driver’s seat as his third keeper made a big splash.
And he would quickly cradle it in the boat.
And he would quickly cradle it in the boat.
Giving it a quick look over,
Giving it a quick look over,
Before placing it in the well.
Before placing it in the well.
Nearby David Mullins would work a grass bed.
Nearby David Mullins would work a grass bed.
Moving from one spot to the next.
Moving from one spot to the next.
Kevin LeDoux would boat his third keeper.
Kevin LeDoux would boat his third keeper.
A smaller fish that would help him build a 15 pound limit.
A smaller fish that would help him build a 15 pound limit.
Jordan Lee would ride the waves of the main lake to produce a 17 pound, 10 ounce stringer.
Jordan Lee would ride the waves of the main lake to produce a 17 pound, 10 ounce stringer.
And nearby him, Jacob Powroznik would be building an 18-11 Day One start.
And nearby him, Jacob Powroznik would be building an 18-11 Day One start.
Powroznik, like many of the anglers, would not be alone.
Powroznik, like many of the anglers, would not be alone.
He would share water with several anglers including Davy Hite who at this time was making virtually the same drift.
He would share water with several anglers including Davy Hite who at this time was making virtually the same drift.
Hite would get off that timing by re-working his tackle when it came time to move.
Hite would get off that timing by re-working his tackle when it came time to move.
Chris Lane, who won here two years ago, would be fishing more shallow. He would finish the day with 17-9.
Chris Lane, who won here two years ago, would be fishing more shallow. He would finish the day with 17-9.
And like many of the anglers would have to hop from spot to spot.
And like many of the anglers would have to hop from spot to spot.
He would finish the day with 17-9 in 35th place.
He would finish the day with 17-9 in 35th place.