Day 1 on Sacramento

See the Elite pros out on the water as they take on the first day of the Bassmaster Elite at Sacramento River.

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The run on the first day of the Bassmaster Elite at the Sacramento River took anglers through the massive California Delta under the shadows of the Altamont Pass and Diablo Mountain Range.
The run on the first day of the Bassmaster Elite at the Sacramento River took anglers through the massive California Delta under the shadows of the Altamont Pass and Diablo Mountain Range.
The long runs had anglers showing up in places at virtually the same time, like Terry Scroggins who comes blazing into a popular area.
The long runs had anglers showing up in places at virtually the same time, like Terry Scroggins who comes blazing into a popular area.
He arrives as J. Todd Tucker boats his first keeper.
He arrives as J. Todd Tucker boats his first keeper.
And anglers start filtering into the marsh. Tucker is in the foreground, while Aaron Martens is to the left and Keith Combs is to the right.
And anglers start filtering into the marsh. Tucker is in the foreground, while Aaron Martens is to the left and Keith Combs is to the right.
Skeet Reese arrives as every one is getting set up.
Skeet Reese arrives as every one is getting set up.
Clifford Pirch takes out his push pole.
Clifford Pirch takes out his push pole.
And the search for bedding fish begins.
And the search for bedding fish begins.
Pirch watches as other anglers filter into the area.
Pirch watches as other anglers filter into the area.
And then takes up the sight-fishing salute, of blocking the sun from his eyes to see fish better.
And then takes up the sight-fishing salute, of blocking the sun from his eyes to see fish better.
The salute becomes common as Martens follows suit.
The salute becomes common as Martens follows suit.
Everyone is looking for something.
Everyone is looking for something.
Pirch studies a patch of tules.
Pirch studies a patch of tules.
The morning tide was high, which allowed anglers to get deep into the cover.
The morning tide was high, which allowed anglers to get deep into the cover.
Sometimes deep enough to obscure their boats.
Sometimes deep enough to obscure their boats.
Skeet Reese is found hiding behind some tules.
Skeet Reese is found hiding behind some tules.
And quickly boats his first keeper.
And quickly boats his first keeper.
Reese would work the thick stuff
Reese would work the thick stuff
And eventually hook up with his second keeper.
And eventually hook up with his second keeper.
This was a giant.
This was a giant.
That made a big jump.
That made a big jump.
Wallowing on top of the water.
Wallowing on top of the water.
and making a splash.
and making a splash.
A big enough splash that water went every where.
A big enough splash that water went every where.
Reese would quickly hit the deck.
Reese would quickly hit the deck.
Getting his rod in position to land the fish.
Getting his rod in position to land the fish.
The lunker would not come easy.
The lunker would not come easy.
But Reese would be able to make a perfect stab.
But Reese would be able to make a perfect stab.
And bring in the monster.
And bring in the monster.
The fish excited Reese and his spectators.
The fish excited Reese and his spectators.
He takes a moment to admire it.
He takes a moment to admire it.
Then holds it up for everyone to see.
Then holds it up for everyone to see.
Reese would continue working the area.
Reese would continue working the area.
And boat another solid keeper.
And boat another solid keeper.
Before putting it in the well, he would play the catch up to the Go Pro camera.
Before putting it in the well, he would play the catch up to the Go Pro camera.
He had a moment of concern when a seal worked along the bank. Anglers believe seals will move in and eat fish on beds or run them off.
He had a moment of concern when a seal worked along the bank. Anglers believe seals will move in and eat fish on beds or run them off.
But after a few minutes, Reese would add his fourth keeper.
But after a few minutes, Reese would add his fourth keeper.
This one would make a big splash.
This one would make a big splash.
And work it's way under the gunwales.
And work it’s way under the gunwales.
Before Reese would pull it aboard.
Before Reese would pull it aboard.
Reese would work his primary area,
Reese would work his primary area,
hooking up with his fifth keeper.
hooking up with his fifth keeper.
And bringing it aboard.
And bringing it aboard.
His initial limit would weigh about 16 pounds.
His initial limit would weigh about 16 pounds.
Other anglers were close, like Dean Rojas.
Other anglers were close, like Dean Rojas.
And Aaron Martens.
And Aaron Martens.
And Pirch would produce a good stringer as well. Almost all of them caught from beds.
And Pirch would produce a good stringer as well. Almost all of them caught from beds.
Pirch would swing this one aboard.
Pirch would swing this one aboard.
And quickly get his hands on it.
And quickly get his hands on it.
But a comparison with his smallest would show it wouldn't be big enough.
But a comparison with his smallest would show it wouldn’t be big enough.