Open anglers on Atchafalaya

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Day 1 of the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Central Open on the Atchafalaya Basin got underway early on Thursday morning as 158 boats fish for the title.
Day 1 of the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Central Open on the Atchafalaya Basin got underway early on Thursday morning as 158 boats fish for the title.
The first Opens pro I found was Luke Estel who was fishing shallow cover.
The first Opens pro I found was Luke Estel who was fishing shallow cover.
The Atchafalaya is a fertile fishery with miles and miles of fishable water.
The Atchafalaya is a fertile fishery with miles and miles of fishable water.
Including Cypress trees, stumps and multiple types of vegetation.
Including Cypress trees, stumps and multiple types of vegetation.
There are plenty of trees on this stretch of bank.
There are plenty of trees on this stretch of bank.
A boat pops out of the Cypress trees and cuts over to the other bank.
A boat pops out of the Cypress trees and cuts over to the other bank.
After a couple casts, Estel does the same as he searches for fresh water.
After a couple casts, Estel does the same as he searches for fresh water.
Estel had a great event at the Red River about a month ago and is in a good position in the Central Open points standings. A good event here could be a possible Elite Series invite.
Estel had a great event at the Red River about a month ago and is in a good position in the Central Open points standings. A good event here could be a possible Elite Series invite.
Estel hooks up with a small fish to start his day.
Estel hooks up with a small fish to start his day.
Every fish counts so he takes a moment to unhook it and measure it.
Every fish counts so he takes a moment to unhook it and measure it.
It wasn’t the legal length for this event so he tosses it back.
It wasn’t the legal length for this event so he tosses it back.
David Heffel of Kansas fishes down this stretch of bank too.
David Heffel of Kansas fishes down this stretch of bank too.
But after just a couple minutes he packs up to move a bit further down.
But after just a couple minutes he packs up to move a bit further down.
I left that area and ran around for about 30 minutes until I found another boat. That angler was David Dove of Mississippi.
I left that area and ran around for about 30 minutes until I found another boat. That angler was David Dove of Mississippi.
He was shocked with his slow start after a great day in this same area. He had two small fish after two hours of fishing.
He was shocked with his slow start after a great day in this same area. He had two small fish after two hours of fishing.
There are multiple pump stations on the Atchafalaya Basin and they pop up in the middle of nowhere at times.
There are multiple pump stations on the Atchafalaya Basin and they pop up in the middle of nowhere at times.
There is a mix of industrial type cover to fish along with the natural aspect of the river.
There is a mix of industrial type cover to fish along with the natural aspect of the river.
After switching areas again, I spot a bald eagle in the top of an old, dead tree.
After switching areas again, I spot a bald eagle in the top of an old, dead tree.
It takes off and flies to another tree nearby as it stretches its wings.
It takes off and flies to another tree nearby as it stretches its wings.
The majestic bird lands gracefully and I decide to head out.
The majestic bird lands gracefully and I decide to head out.
A tree has an old gas sits on top of it at the mouth of a canal. That is either the last sign of gas in the area or a testament to the Atchafalaya and how far you can genuinely run.
A tree has an old gas sits on top of it at the mouth of a canal. That is either the last sign of gas in the area or a testament to the Atchafalaya and how far you can genuinely run.
An Opens competitor idles out of a small canal into the bigger one that I just came through.
An Opens competitor idles out of a small canal into the bigger one that I just came through.
Moments later I round a corner and find local Elite Angler Cliff Crochet.
Moments later I round a corner and find local Elite Angler Cliff Crochet.
He was struggling so far on Day 1 with just one fish in the livewell.
He was struggling so far on Day 1 with just one fish in the livewell.
A victory at this event will punch Crochet’s ticket to the Geico Bassmaster Classic, but he also wants to do well for his friends and family that will probably be at the event to support him.
A victory at this event will punch Crochet’s ticket to the Geico Bassmaster Classic, but he also wants to do well for his friends and family that will probably be at the event to support him.
Crochet heads out and decides to make a 15-minute boat ride to his next spot.
Crochet heads out and decides to make a 15-minute boat ride to his next spot.
He knows this fishery better than most so he understands how quickly it can turn around.
He knows this fishery better than most so he understands how quickly it can turn around.
Just down the bank was Eric Gilchrist, who is also a local Louisiana angler.
Just down the bank was Eric Gilchrist, who is also a local Louisiana angler.
He was pulling up the trolling motor, but wasn’t going far.
He was pulling up the trolling motor, but wasn’t going far.
Instead he was moving to this stretch of cypress trees.
Instead he was moving to this stretch of cypress trees.
Gilchrist flips to a tree and gets a bite.
Gilchrist flips to a tree and gets a bite.
The next flip results in a non-bass, but with four in the livewell already he knows he only needs a few bigger bites to be where he needs to be.
The next flip results in a non-bass, but with four in the livewell already he knows he only needs a few bigger bites to be where he needs to be.
He flips by a tree and sets the hook straight up.
He flips by a tree and sets the hook straight up.
Gilchrist boats a small bass.
Gilchrist boats a small bass.
He checks to see if its keeper No. 5 or not.
He checks to see if its keeper No. 5 or not.
It indeed gives him a limit.
It indeed gives him a limit.
On the way back to the ramp I found Yoshikazu Sato who was chunking a small crankbait.
On the way back to the ramp I found Yoshikazu Sato who was chunking a small crankbait.
His co-angler Dale Thayne was trying to get bit on a spinnerbait.
His co-angler Dale Thayne was trying to get bit on a spinnerbait.
A unique jon boat drives by as I pack up and head back to the boat ramp in Berwick.
A unique jon boat drives by as I pack up and head back to the boat ramp in Berwick.