Day One on the Alabama River

Elites take to the high waters of the Alabama River Charge presented by Star brite.

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Spectators were out early on the Alabama River to watch Day One of the Alabama River Charge presented by Star brite.
Spectators were out early on the Alabama River to watch Day One of the Alabama River Charge presented by Star brite.
Aaron Martens spins his boat around to make a move down river.
Aaron Martens spins his boat around to make a move down river.
Aaron said it was time for a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
Aaron said it was time for a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
<p>That, of course, must be eaten on the run. </p>
That, of course, must be eaten on the run. 
Jonathon VanDam makes a cast with a crankbait to submerged riprap.
Jonathon VanDam makes a cast with a crankbait to submerged riprap.
VanDam said he had a limit early with three fish over 3 pounds.
VanDam said he had a limit early with three fish over 3 pounds.
Matt Reed fires a cast with a crankbait.
Matt Reed fires a cast with a crankbait.
Cliff Crotchet was fishing the main river channel, targeting shallow vegetation.
Cliff Crotchet was fishing the main river channel, targeting shallow vegetation.
<p>No, this Elite Series Marshal is not fishing; he jumped from his seat to grab a rod when a snake tried to climb in the back of Cliff Crotchet's boat. </p>
No, this Elite Series Marshal is not fishing; he jumped from his seat to grab a rod when a snake tried to climb in the back of Cliff Crotchet’s boat. 
<p>Dean Rojas swings and misses a fish.</p>
Dean Rojas swings and misses a fish.
Rojas was attacking the Alabama River with a multitude of bait choices.
Rojas was attacking the Alabama River with a multitude of bait choices.
<p>Kotaro Kiriyama fishes one of the many clay banks that line the Alabama River.</p>
Kotaro Kiriyama fishes one of the many clay banks that line the Alabama River.
<p>Terry Scroggins makes a long cast along the main river channel.</p>
Terry Scroggins makes a long cast along the main river channel.
<p>Scroggins hooks up with a bass.</p>
Scroggins hooks up with a bass.
The fish jumps in an effort to throw the hooks.
The fish jumps in an effort to throw the hooks.
Scroggins begins to lift the fish from the water.
Scroggins begins to lift the fish from the water.
This was Scroggins' fourth keeper fish of the morning.
This was Scroggins’ fourth keeper fish of the morning.
<p>Scroggins works to remove the hooks from the fish.</p>
Scroggins works to remove the hooks from the fish.
Scroggins was working on a nice limit of fish.
Scroggins was working on a nice limit of fish.
Cliff Prince makes a run downriver.
Cliff Prince makes a run downriver.
Dave Smith had the company of three fishermen in a johnboat.
Dave Smith had the company of three fishermen in a johnboat.
Chris Lane stopped to fish a steep clay bank.
Chris Lane stopped to fish a steep clay bank.
Iaconelli makes a long cast with a crankbait.
Iaconelli makes a long cast with a crankbait.
Mike Iaconelli keeps a close eye on his electronics as he eases his boat toward an island point.
Mike Iaconelli keeps a close eye on his electronics as he eases his boat toward an island point.
Hank Cherry was fishing current breaks on the main river.
Hank Cherry was fishing current breaks on the main river.
Trees floating in the water were a common site on the swollen Alabama River.
Trees floating in the water were a common site on the swollen Alabama River.
Hank Cherry fights a fish to the boat.
Hank Cherry fights a fish to the boat.
Cherry takes a knee and eases the fish to the boat.
Cherry takes a knee and eases the fish to the boat.
He swings the keeper bass aboard.
He swings the keeper bass aboard.
Cherry takes a quick check of his electronics, while removing the hooks from the fish.
Cherry takes a quick check of his electronics, while removing the hooks from the fish.
With a sixth fish now in the boat, Cherry has a culling decision to make.
With a sixth fish now in the boat, Cherry has a culling decision to make.
This sign that marks the mouth of Noland Creek is usually several feet out of the water.
This sign that marks the mouth of Noland Creek is usually several feet out of the water.
Aaron Martens said he had caught and released at least two limits of fish.
Aaron Martens said he had caught and released at least two limits of fish.
Martens boats yet another keeper bass.
Martens boats yet another keeper bass.