Day One on the Big O

With the last spot on the line for the 2014 Bassmaster Classic, the stakes are high today at Okeechobee.

Britt Myers takes his hole shot and makes a move early on Lake Okeechobee.
Britt Myers takes his hole shot and makes a move early on Lake Okeechobee.
Boyd Duckett was flipping shallow grass early in the day.
Boyd Duckett was flipping shallow grass early in the day.
Duckett makes a move north on Okeechobee.
Duckett makes a move north on Okeechobee.
Duckett makes a quick stop to compare notes with his traveling partner Kelly Jordon.
Duckett makes a quick stop to compare notes with his traveling partner Kelly Jordon.
Fletcher Shryock is one of several Elite Series anglers competing for a berth to the Bassmaster Classic.
Fletcher Shryock is one of several Elite Series anglers competing for a berth to the Bassmaster Classic.
Shyrock pulls his trolling motor to make a move.
Shyrock pulls his trolling motor to make a move.
Kelly Jaye fires a cast early on Day One.
Kelly Jaye fires a cast early on Day One.
December is one of the peak times to catch crappie on Lake Okeechobee.
December is one of the peak times to catch crappie on Lake Okeechobee.
Sugar cane fields being burned off in the distance were evidence of very little wind on Day One.
Sugar cane fields being burned off in the distance were evidence of very little wind on Day One.
Shaye Baker was flipping very heavy cover early in the day. Baker caught a fish later in the day he estimated weighed 10 pounds.
Shaye Baker was flipping very heavy cover early in the day. Baker caught a fish later in the day he estimated weighed 10 pounds.
Dave Smith makes a cast.
Dave Smith makes a cast.
Smith hooks up and fights a fish to the boat.
Smith hooks up and fights a fish to the boat.
Smith swings a small keeper aboard.
Smith swings a small keeper aboard.
On the next cast ‘Big Dave’ was hooked up again.
On the next cast ‘Big Dave’ was hooked up again.
Smith swings a better fish into his boat.
Smith swings a better fish into his boat.
He prepares to place the fish in the live well.
He prepares to place the fish in the live well.
Arnie Lane checks his GPS as he idles to make a move.
Arnie Lane checks his GPS as he idles to make a move.
Lane stops and begins flipping.
Lane stops and begins flipping.
The flipping technique pays off quickly with a small fish in the boat.
The flipping technique pays off quickly with a small fish in the boat.
Lane pins the fish with a culling bulb before placing the fish in the live well.
Lane pins the fish with a culling bulb before placing the fish in the live well.
The fish goes in the live well.
The fish goes in the live well.
Arney Lane and Russ Lane were fishing close to one another early on Day One.
Arney Lane and Russ Lane were fishing close to one another early on Day One.
Russ Lane sets the hook on a keeper fish.
Russ Lane sets the hook on a keeper fish.
He moves towards the console of the boat to finish the fight.
He moves towards the console of the boat to finish the fight.
Lane takes a seat and begins to wear the fish down.
Lane takes a seat and begins to wear the fish down.
The fish surges and thrashes at the boat.
The fish surges and thrashes at the boat.
 The fish begins to tire and Lane pulls it closer.
The fish begins to tire and Lane pulls it closer.
Lane begins to pull the fish over the side of the boat…
Lane begins to pull the fish over the side of the boat…
…and pulls it aboard.
…and pulls it aboard.
Lane pins keeper after removing the hooks.
Lane pins keeper after removing the hooks.
He moves to the back of the boat…
He moves to the back of the boat…
…and places the fish in the live well.
…and places the fish in the live well.
Lake Okeechobee is a haven for multiple species of wildlife and birds.
Lake Okeechobee is a haven for multiple species of wildlife and birds.
Russ Lane idles to the next place he would fish.
Russ Lane idles to the next place he would fish.