Day 1 on the Sabine

See the pros take to the water on Day 1 of the Bassmaster Elite at Sabine River.

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Day 1 of the Bassmaster Elite on the Sabine River presented by STARK Cultural Venues started with some crowded conditions on the water.
Day 1 of the Bassmaster Elite on the Sabine River presented by STARK Cultural Venues started with some crowded conditions on the water.
A small pond off the Sabine River started getting crowded quickly, with Kelly Jordon and Skeet Reese on one bank.
A small pond off the Sabine River started getting crowded quickly, with Kelly Jordon and Skeet Reese on one bank.
And Dean Rojas and Hank Cherry on the next.
And Dean Rojas and Hank Cherry on the next.
Cherry was the last to arrive, and felt like the crowd would be too much.
Cherry was the last to arrive, and felt like the crowd would be too much.
He would be close to right. The small pond could barely hold another boat.
He would be close to right. The small pond could barely hold another boat.
That didn’t mean that other anglers like Jason Williamson wouldn’t stick their nose in and check.
That didn’t mean that other anglers like Jason Williamson wouldn’t stick their nose in and check.
Despite the crowded conditions, there were fish being caught.
Despite the crowded conditions, there were fish being caught.
And the anglers worked together, not getting in each other’s way.
And the anglers worked together, not getting in each other’s way.
And for the most part they all caught fish.
And for the most part they all caught fish.
Rojas would be the first of those to catch a limit.
Rojas would be the first of those to catch a limit.
This one splashed like few bass ever get to do.
This one splashed like few bass ever get to do.
He didn’t stop splashing.
He didn’t stop splashing.
Even after getting into the boat,
Even after getting into the boat,
And giving Rojas a shower.
And giving Rojas a shower.
Rojas finally got a hand on it ,
Rojas finally got a hand on it ,
But released the too short fish.
But released the too short fish.
Rojas was a big factor in the 2013 event, leading the tournament after days 1 and 3.
Rojas was a big factor in the 2013 event, leading the tournament after days 1 and 3.
He looked poised to make a similar run as he caught fish after fish, even though most of them were too small.
He looked poised to make a similar run as he caught fish after fish, even though most of them were too small.
Across from him, Kelly Jordon kept working.
Across from him, Kelly Jordon kept working.
And in the back of the small area, Reese would watch. He was the first angler there, but lamented that he had “picked the wrong bank.”
And in the back of the small area, Reese would watch. He was the first angler there, but lamented that he had “picked the wrong bank.”
Reese holds up his fingers indicating how many were in his livewell.
Reese holds up his fingers indicating how many were in his livewell.
With Reese’s three and Rojas’ five the small area had already taken a ton of pressure.
With Reese’s three and Rojas’ five the small area had already taken a ton of pressure.
But Reese would quickly hook up with number four.
But Reese would quickly hook up with number four.
The fish would produce looks from the other two anglers.
The fish would produce looks from the other two anglers.
Jordon would add one to his well.
Jordon would add one to his well.
He gives it a quick look before depositing it in the live well.
He gives it a quick look before depositing it in the live well.
The three fill up the lake as Cherry heads out in the back ground.
The three fill up the lake as Cherry heads out in the back ground.
Occasionally the anglers would switch up baits.
Occasionally the anglers would switch up baits.
But most of damage would be made with soft plastics.
But most of damage would be made with soft plastics.
The fish would be Reese’s fifth.
The fish would be Reese’s fifth.
And provide some aerial acrobatics,
And provide some aerial acrobatics,
That were hard not to look at.
That were hard not to look at.
Reese would get on a hot streak, pushing a limit over the 10-pound mark.
Reese would get on a hot streak, pushing a limit over the 10-pound mark.
Rojas would fish the entrance of the area, creating questions on if he was leaving or not.
Rojas would fish the entrance of the area, creating questions on if he was leaving or not.
Jordon and Reese were staying.
Jordon and Reese were staying.
And so was Rojas.
And so was Rojas.
Reese would continue catching them.
Reese would continue catching them.
And so did Rojas.
And so did Rojas.
Reese would add another.
Reese would add another.
And Rojas would answer with one of his own.
And Rojas would answer with one of his own.
This one cleared the water.
This one cleared the water.
And splashes back down.
And splashes back down.
But after a quick measure.
But after a quick measure.
It was too short to keep.
It was too short to keep.
The action forced Jordon to leave the area, giving it up for Reese and Rojas.
The action forced Jordon to leave the area, giving it up for Reese and Rojas.