Northern Open: Day 1 launch

Day 1 of the Bass Pro Shops Northern Open #3 presented by Allstate is live.

Adrian Avena is on his way to an invitation in the Bassmaster Elite Series. He plans to seal the deal this week at the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Open presented by Allstate.
Adrian Avena is on his way to an invitation in the Bassmaster Elite Series. He plans to seal the deal this week at the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Open presented by Allstate.
Koby Krieger idles into place on Day 1 of the tournament at Lake Erie.
Koby Krieger idles into place on Day 1 of the tournament at Lake Erie.
Lisa Talmadge checks Krieger’s insurance documents. The inspection is all part of the random safety and rules checks prior to the takeoff.
Lisa Talmadge checks Krieger’s insurance documents. The inspection is all part of the random safety and rules checks prior to the takeoff.
A bag of sweets is all it takes to get the day started for some anglers.
A bag of sweets is all it takes to get the day started for some anglers.
Avena is in the top five of the Northern Open standings. With a good tournament he’ll qualify for the Bassmaster Elite Series, which he plans to fish in 2016.
Avena is in the top five of the Northern Open standings. With a good tournament he’ll qualify for the Bassmaster Elite Series, which he plans to fish in 2016.
It’s an unusual sight with calm water on Lake Erie. The takeoff is near downtown Sandusky.
It’s an unusual sight with calm water on Lake Erie. The takeoff is near downtown Sandusky.
To the east the sun begins to rise over Lake Erie. The forecast calls for beautiful fall weather with highs in the low 70s and winds to 10 mph.
To the east the sun begins to rise over Lake Erie. The forecast calls for beautiful fall weather with highs in the low 70s and winds to 10 mph.
This is the final Northern Open of the season. A win means the final berth in the GEICO Bassmaster Classic for this division.
This is the final Northern Open of the season. A win means the final berth in the GEICO Bassmaster Classic for this division.
It’s 6:55 a.m. and that means the national anthem plays for the anglers.
It’s 6:55 a.m. and that means the national anthem plays for the anglers.
The takeoff is 7 a.m. with a first flight check in beginning at 3 p.m.
The takeoff is 7 a.m. with a first flight check in beginning at 3 p.m.
The box filled with floating boat number fobs is ready for action.
The box filled with floating boat number fobs is ready for action.
Alan Pierce gives the 10-second signal to begin the day.
Alan Pierce gives the 10-second signal to begin the day.
Boat number one idles away from the dock for a day of fishing ahead on Lake Erie.
Boat number one idles away from the dock for a day of fishing ahead on Lake Erie.
These boats will be the first to arrive on the best smallmouth fishing of the tournament.
These boats will be the first to arrive on the best smallmouth fishing of the tournament.
Sam George idles through the check out line in a bid to qualify for his first Classic.
Sam George idles through the check out line in a bid to qualify for his first Classic.
Larry Draughn of Ohio is on home water and hopes the location pays off with success.
Larry Draughn of Ohio is on home water and hopes the location pays off with success.
Brett Pruett is the collegiate champion from the University of Louisiana Monroe.
Brett Pruett is the collegiate champion from the University of Louisiana Monroe.
Jamey Caldwell wears his game face for a day of offshore fishing on Lake Erie.
Jamey Caldwell wears his game face for a day of offshore fishing on Lake Erie.
Chris Bowes calls out the latter flights to idle into place for the day ahead.
Chris Bowes calls out the latter flights to idle into place for the day ahead.
Mike Kernan gives the thumbs up as he begins Day 1.
Mike Kernan gives the thumbs up as he begins Day 1.
Chad Pipkens is experiencing a strong season and hopes this to be his best tournament. He’s a skilled angler on the Great Lakes, including Erie.
Chad Pipkens is experiencing a strong season and hopes this to be his best tournament. He’s a skilled angler on the Great Lakes, including Erie.
Shane Lineberger is an Elite Series hopeful with his chances looking good at the Northern Open.
Shane Lineberger is an Elite Series hopeful with his chances looking good at the Northern Open.
The anglers predict the lake will produce well under the relatively calm conditions for Erie.
The anglers predict the lake will produce well under the relatively calm conditions for Erie.
It’s 7:11 a.m. and the takeoff is dwindling down as the boats leave the boat basin in Sandusky.
It’s 7:11 a.m. and the takeoff is dwindling down as the boats leave the boat basin in Sandusky.