Day 1 on Seminole

The final Bass Pro Shops Southern Open gets underway as competitors head out on Day 1 in Bainbridge, Ga.

The final Bass Pro Shops Southern Open gets underway as anglers head out for Day 1 of competition on Lake Seminole.
The final Bass Pro Shops Southern Open gets underway as anglers head out for Day 1 of competition on Lake Seminole.
Some anglers start off skipping baits under bushes...
Some anglers start off skipping baits under bushes…
but there's cover everywhere on Lake Seminole.
but there’s cover everywhere on Lake Seminole.
You can get up against the reeds dropping a big weight...
You can get up against the reeds dropping a big weight…
or run around until you find something else you like.
or run around until you find something else you like.
This blue heron has setup shop in the grass.
This blue heron has setup shop in the grass.
Doesn't seem to be very worried about our approaching boat.
Doesn’t seem to be very worried about our approaching boat.
“Alright…
I've had enough.
I’ve had enough.”
...
We find Clay Dyer fishing in a shallow cut off the Flint River.
We find Clay Dyer fishing in a shallow cut off the Flint River.
One of the greatest inspirations to grace the earth, Clay Dyer makes it a point for people to know he doesn't have any disabilities, only opportunities to work harder than most.
One of the greatest inspirations to grace the earth, Clay Dyer makes it a point for people to know he doesn’t have any disabilities, only opportunities to work harder than most.
Dyer's co-angler, Justin Lockee makes a cast.
Dyer’s co-angler, Justin Lockee makes a cast.
Dyer works a frog to the boat, holding his rod between his cheek and his shoulder...
Dyer works a frog to the boat, holding his rod between his cheek and his shoulder…
while reeling with his right arm.
while reeling with his right arm.
Lockee still looking for a bite.
Lockee still looking for a bite.
Dyer pushes the button on his reel with his chin...
Dyer pushes the button on his reel with his chin…
then rides the line with his lip as it screams off his reel.
then rides the line with his lip as it screams off his reel.
A little gator likes the looks of Lockee's frog.
A little gator likes the looks of Lockee’s frog.
Getting closer...
Getting closer…
closer...
closer…
he's seen enough.
he’s seen enough.
Every simple task that Dyer tackles is an impressive feat.
Every simple task that Dyer tackles is an impressive feat.
Most anglers get frustrated when their rods get tangled, Dyer just takes care of business and gets back to it.
Most anglers get frustrated when their rods get tangled, Dyer just takes care of business and gets back to it.
Time to swap rods...
Time to swap rods…
this one's going in the box...
this one’s going in the box…
and Dyer's coming out with something different.
and Dyer’s coming out with something different.
Time to go a little more finesse.
Time to go a little more finesse.
Dyer pulls a rod from his box...
Dyer pulls a rod from his box…
bites the line, then ties a hook on with his tongue.
bites the line, then ties a hook on with his tongue.
In half the time it would take most people to rig up a Senko...
In half the time it would take most people to rig up a Senko…
Dyer has the worm ran up on the hook...
Dyer has the worm ran up on the hook…
and the hook point back into the worm...
and the hook point back into the worm…
and he's ready to get back at it.
and he’s ready to get back at it.
Dyer let's another cast fly...
Dyer let’s another cast fly…
...
...
...
We leave Clay Dyer casting and head out looking for more anglers.
We leave Clay Dyer casting and head out looking for more anglers.
Darrell Pons makes his way down the bank.
Darrell Pons makes his way down the bank.
Looks like Pons has found some hyacinth.
Looks like Pons has found some hyacinth.
Jimmy Mason is on the run.
Jimmy Mason is on the run.
Flipping's the name of the game here this week.
Flipping’s the name of the game here this week.
Most anglers have a big weight on the end of the line.
Most anglers have a big weight on the end of the line.
The bites were few and far between but big during practice according to the anglers.
The bites were few and far between but big during practice according to the anglers.
Unfortunately this one won't work.
Unfortunately this one won’t work.
Some anglers push way back in the junk...
Some anglers push way back in the junk…
others stay on the edge.
others stay on the edge.
The flippers are keeping something on the deck to cast down the weed lines every now and then.
The flippers are keeping something on the deck to cast down the weed lines every now and then.
Gary Clouse on the move.
Gary Clouse on the move.
Garrett Rocamora doing what he loves...
Garrett Rocamora doing what he loves…
punching.
punching.
Rocamora hails from the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes and feels right at home dumping a big weight in the mats.
Rocamora hails from the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes and feels right at home dumping a big weight in the mats.
As this angler rolls out we get a phone call to come to James Overstreet's rescue.
As this angler rolls out we get a phone call to come to James Overstreet’s rescue.
Looks like Overstreet has found a stump.
Looks like Overstreet has found a stump.
Overstreet and boat driver Eddie Ditto idled over a stump and the stump jabbed a hole in the boat.
Overstreet and boat driver Eddie Ditto idled over a stump and the stump jabbed a hole in the boat.
A big hole. After a few minutes of pulling with my boat, we free Overstreet's ride and everyone makes it back safely. See more from this fiasco on the blog.
A big hole. After a few minutes of pulling with my boat, we free Overstreet’s ride and everyone makes it back safely. See more from this fiasco on the blog.
Brett Preutte punched his ticket to the 2016 Bassmaster Elite Series through the Central Opens a little over a week ago. He's fishing for a 2016 Bassmaster Classic berth this week.
Brett Preutte punched his ticket to the 2016 Bassmaster Elite Series through the Central Opens a little over a week ago. He’s fishing for a 2016 Bassmaster Classic berth this week.
Hank Cherry grinding away.
Hank Cherry grinding away.
Only the second fish catch we've seen today.
Only the second fish catch we’ve seen today.
Shaw Grigsby is right at home with a flipping stick in hand...
Shaw Grigsby is right at home with a flipping stick in hand…
but is scoreless so far.
but is scoreless so far.