St. Johns: Day One on the water

Our cameras are tracking anglers on the water at the 2012 Bassmaster Elite Series St. Johns River Showdown.

March 15, 2012

<p>
Elite Series pro Keith Combs stops his boat to set up on a fish on Day One of the 2012 St. Johns River Showdown.</p> — Elite Series pro Keith Combs stops his boat to set up on a fish on Day One of the 2012 St. Johns River Showdown.

<p>
After setting up, Combs makes a pitch to a fish on a bed. </p> — After setting up, Combs makes a pitch to a fish on a bed.

<p>
Steve Kennedy and Todd Faircloth started their day fishing on a large flat. </p> — Steve Kennedy and Todd Faircloth started their day fishing on a large flat.

<p>
Kennedy was covering water, but would slow down as he was able to sight fish.</p> — Kennedy was covering water, but would slow down as he was able to sight fish.

<p>
Kennedy and Faircloth were sharing an area, but keeping a reasonable distance from one another. </p> — Kennedy and Faircloth were sharing an area, but keeping a reasonable distance from one another.

<p>
Faircloth pulls a keeper from the grass. </p> — Faircloth pulls a keeper from the grass.

<p>
Faircloth swings the fish safely aboard. </p> — Faircloth swings the fish safely aboard.

<p>
Faircloth moves to the back of the boat to place the fish in the livewell. </p> — Faircloth moves to the back of the boat to place the fish in the livewell.

<p>
Faircloth places his two smallest fish on a culling beam. </p> — Faircloth places his two smallest fish on a culling beam.

<p>
Faircloth makes his culling decision and throws back his smallest bass. </p> — Faircloth makes his culling decision and throws back his smallest bass.

<p>
Kevin Short makes a cast on Day One of the St. Johns River Showdown. </p> — Kevin Short makes a cast on Day One of the St. Johns River Showdown.

<p>
Andy Montgomery relaxes with his rod on his shoulder, as he looks for bedding fish. </p> — Andy Montgomery relaxes with his rod on his shoulder, as he looks for bedding fish.

<p>
Montgomery was sharing water with several anglers, including Alton Jones. </p> — Montgomery was sharing water with several anglers, including Alton Jones.

<p>
Ott DeFoe points out a fish on a bed to his roommate, Andy Montgomery. For several minutes, DeFoe had tried to catch the small keeper but failed. </p> — Ott DeFoe points out a fish on a bed to his roommate, Andy Montgomery. For several minutes, DeFoe had tried to catch the small keeper but failed.

<p>
Alton Jones boats his second keeper fish of the day. </p> — Alton Jones boats his second keeper fish of the day.

Jones lowers his profile and sets up on another fish on a bed.

<p>
Ott DeFoe shields his eyes from the glare of the sun, as he scouts bedding fish. </p> — Ott DeFoe shields his eyes from the glare of the sun, as he scouts bedding fish.

<p>
DeFoe spots a fish on a bed and uses a push pole to quietly move the boat backward. </p> — DeFoe spots a fish on a bed and uses a push pole to quietly move the boat backward.

<p>
Andy Montgomery successfully catches the bass that had eluded DeFoe. </p> — Andy Montgomery successfully catches the bass that had eluded DeFoe.

<p>
Chad Griffin tries to get a better view of a fish on a bed. </p> — Chad Griffin tries to get a better view of a fish on a bed.

<p>
Griffin decides to give the fish a try and makes a pitch into the bed. </p> — Griffin decides to give the fish a try and makes a pitch into the bed.

<p>
Griffin was quickly rewarded with a keeper fish. </p> — Griffin was quickly rewarded with a keeper fish.

<p>
While Griffin was boating his fish, Ott Defoe was putting another keeper in the boat. </p> — While Griffin was boating his fish, Ott Defoe was putting another keeper in the boat.

<p>
Griffin had an early limit and was culling. </p> — Griffin had an early limit and was culling.

<p>
Five boats were sharing water in this area of Lake George. </p> — Five boats were sharing water in this area of Lake George.