Open: Hot on the Harris Chain

Day 1 began with competitors fishing in a crowd in some of the more popular locations...
Day 1 began with competitors fishing in a crowd in some of the more popular locations…
...and those that decided they wouldn't fish in a crowd.
…and those that decided they wouldn’t fish in a crowd.
With 200 boats in the field, there were places that did draw a crowd.
With 200 boats in the field, there were places that did draw a crowd.
Eric Panziro found an area to himself to fish early in the day, but said he only had two fish in the livewell to show for it.
Eric Panziro found an area to himself to fish early in the day, but said he only had two fish in the livewell to show for it.
Ish Monroe fished near one of the many beautiful homes located on the Harris Chain of Lakes.
Ish Monroe fished near one of the many beautiful homes located on the Harris Chain of Lakes.
Later in the morning there were more and more boats changing locations.
Later in the morning there were more and more boats changing locations.
Brent Bonadona eases his boat alongside one of the hundreds of boat docks that could be fished.
Brent Bonadona eases his boat alongside one of the hundreds of boat docks that could be fished.
There are multiple canals and small backwater areas off the main bodies of water.
There are multiple canals and small backwater areas off the main bodies of water.
Many of the canals open up to areas that allow access to homeowners to a main lake.
Many of the canals open up to areas that allow access to homeowners to a main lake.
One of the crucial fishing decisions on this series of lakes is eliminating unproductive water, because almost everywhere looks as if it could hold a bass.
One of the crucial fishing decisions on this series of lakes is eliminating unproductive water, because almost everywhere looks as if it could hold a bass.
Florida's Cliff Prince is always a strong bet to be in contention for a win in his home state of Florida.
Florida’s Cliff Prince is always a strong bet to be in contention for a win in his home state of Florida.
However, early in the day Prince said he had a limit, but similar to this fish they were all small.
However, early in the day Prince said he had a limit, but similar to this fish they were all small.
He was only able to cull up a few ounces with this fish.
He was only able to cull up a few ounces with this fish.
When we caught up with Scott Luster he was changing baits and looking for another 10-pounder like he caught in practice.
When we caught up with Scott Luster he was changing baits and looking for another 10-pounder like he caught in practice.
There was abundant sunshine early in the morning, providing a perfect day to fish during the wintertime in Florida.
There was abundant sunshine early in the morning, providing a perfect day to fish during the wintertime in Florida.
When we caught up with Michael Murphy he was firing away...
When we caught up with Michael Murphy he was firing away…
...and catching quite a few fish.
…and catching quite a few fish.
He was culling early...
He was culling early…
...but still in search of a big bite.
…but still in search of a big bite.
David Kilgore was going through a lot of small fish, too.
David Kilgore was going through a lot of small fish, too.
Even though there was some fishing in a crowd...
Even though there was some fishing in a crowd…
...there was no shortage of fish being caught.
…there was no shortage of fish being caught.
From where we sat we photographed Yusuke Miyazaki catch this bass...
From where we sat we photographed Yusuke Miyazaki catch this bass…
...while John Hunter was boating another fish behind us.
…while John Hunter was boating another fish behind us.
Miyazaki hooked up again while our camera was still focused on John Hunter.
Miyazaki hooked up again while our camera was still focused on John Hunter.
From all appearances, Miyazaki had on a better fish this time.
From all appearances, Miyazaki had on a better fish this time.
Thinking the fish was beginning to tire, Miyazaki took a seat in the back of the boat...
Thinking the fish was beginning to tire, Miyazaki took a seat in the back of the boat…
...but was quickly back on his feet as the fish made another surge.
…but was quickly back on his feet as the fish made another surge.
Miyazaki dipped his rod into the water during yet another surge...
Miyazaki dipped his rod into the water during yet another surge…
...before reaching down to finally lip the fish.
…before reaching down to finally lip the fish.
He gave a bit of a fish pump before placing the fish in the livewell.
He gave a bit of a fish pump before placing the fish in the livewell.
Meanwhile, John Hunter wasn't done yet...
Meanwhile, John Hunter wasn’t done yet…
...and we looked on as he boated another keeper.
…and we looked on as he boated another keeper.
Boats would leave areas, only to be replaced by new arrivals in the area.
Boats would leave areas, only to be replaced by new arrivals in the area.
In this area at least, the only way to avoid the crowds was to move far back into the lily pads.
In this area at least, the only way to avoid the crowds was to move far back into the lily pads.
Toby Lillard snatches one from the lily pads.
Toby Lillard snatches one from the lily pads.
We settled in on Elite Series veteran Paul Elias for a bit.
We settled in on Elite Series veteran Paul Elias for a bit.
It wasn't long before he put a fish into the boat...
It wasn’t long before he put a fish into the boat…
...then into the livewell.
…then into the livewell.
After making a few more casts Elias leaned into what had to be a much more substantial fish.
After making a few more casts Elias leaned into what had to be a much more substantial fish.
This fish immediately led him to the back of the boat...
This fish immediately led him to the back of the boat…
...where it tried to jump to throw the hook.
…where it tried to jump to throw the hook.
With a flipping stick in his hand, Elias quickly over-powered every move the fish made...
With a flipping stick in his hand, Elias quickly over-powered every move the fish made…
...and after a very short fight had the fish in his grip.
…and after a very short fight had the fish in his grip.
This is the kind of fish you expect to catch when you come to Florida.
This is the kind of fish you expect to catch when you come to Florida.
Elias said most of the fish he had been catching this morning were small...
Elias said most of the fish he had been catching this morning were small…
...but this one helped get rid of one of them in the livewell.
…but this one helped get rid of one of them in the livewell.
After a quick fist bump with his Day 1 partner...
After a quick fist bump with his Day 1 partner…
...it goes in the box.
…it goes in the box.
That deserved a cool drink of water.
That deserved a cool drink of water.