2008 Elite Series Champion’s Choice: Day One, On The Water

In this photo gallery, you'll find on-the-water images from Day One of the 2008 Elite Series Champion's Choice on Oneida Lake, near Syracuse, New York.

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Dean Rojas felt good about his practice coming into Day One of the Champion's Choice and was catching fish early throwing his SPRO Bronzeye Frog.
Dean Rojas felt good about his practice coming into Day One of the Champion’s Choice and was catching fish early throwing his SPRO Bronzeye Frog.
The fish weren't the only things interested in watching 'Kermie' skip across the water on Day One.
The fish weren’t the only things interested in watching ‘Kermie’ skip across the water on Day One.
Rojas has a fish blow up on the frog and sets the hook.
Rojas has a fish blow up on the frog and sets the hook.
Rojas brings the fish alongside the boat.
Rojas brings the fish alongside the boat.
Rojas boated three fish in the first 30 minutes of the tournament. He was in first place after two days on Oneida Lake in last year's Memorial Major that shifted to Lake Onondaga for the semifinals and finals.
Rojas boated three fish in the first 30 minutes of the tournament. He was in first place after two days on Oneida Lake in last year’s Memorial Major that shifted to Lake Onondaga for the semifinals and finals.
Rojas was fishing with co-angler Howard Stephens, the all-time leading money-winner on the Bassmaster co-angler side with $143,128.92 in career winnings.
Rojas was fishing with co-angler Howard Stephens, the all-time leading money-winner on the Bassmaster co-angler side with $143,128.92 in career winnings.
Day One started calm and clear, but scattered thunderstorms were due to move in rapidly from the west later in the morning.
Day One started calm and clear, but scattered thunderstorms were due to move in rapidly from the west later in the morning.
Fred Roumbanis hooks a fish in the matted grass that dominates the shoreline of Oneida Lake.
Fred Roumbanis hooks a fish in the matted grass that dominates the shoreline of Oneida Lake.
Roumbanis drags the fish — and a pile of matted grass — to the boat.
Roumbanis drags the fish — and a pile of matted grass — to the boat.
After cleaning the grass away from his line, Roumbanis lips a solid keeper.
After cleaning the grass away from his line, Roumbanis lips a solid keeper.
Dave Wolak crouches to keep his balance from a large boat wake headed his way.
Dave Wolak crouches to keep his balance from a large boat wake headed his way.
Early on Day One, Brian Snowden was throwing a jerkbait on main lake points.
Early on Day One, Brian Snowden was throwing a jerkbait on main lake points.
Rick Clunn speeds west to avoid a thunderstorm enveloping the eastern end of Oneida Lake.
Rick Clunn speeds west to avoid a thunderstorm enveloping the eastern end of Oneida Lake.
Clunn seeks refuge under a bridge while a quick thundershower moves across Oneida Lake.
Clunn seeks refuge under a bridge while a quick thundershower moves across Oneida Lake.
Anglers on the western end of the lake were spared the worst of the thunderstorm, but heavy rains and frequent lightning hammered anglers to the east.
Anglers on the western end of the lake were spared the worst of the thunderstorm, but heavy rains and frequent lightning hammered anglers to the east.
While the storm passed, Clunn fished a riprap wall along the Interstate 81 Bridge that passes over the eastern end of Oneida Lake.
While the storm passed, Clunn fished a riprap wall along the Interstate 81 Bridge that passes over the eastern end of Oneida Lake.
Scott Rook was punching thick vegetation on Day One of the Champion's Choice.
Scott Rook was punching thick vegetation on Day One of the Champion’s Choice.