2011 Elite Series Sunshine Showdown Day One OTW

In this photo gallery you will see images of the 2011 elite series on the Harris Chain of Lakes in Florida. It is the first day on the water.

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Bobby Lane swings his first fish in the boat on Day One of the Sunshine Showdown.
Bobby Lane swings his first fish in the boat on Day One of the Sunshine Showdown.
The fish was a welcome surprise for Lane, who suffered motor issues and was waiting on the service crew to get him going.
The fish was a welcome surprise for Lane, who suffered motor issues and was waiting on the service crew to get him going.
Randy Howell perches atop the trolling motor bracket, trying to get a better look at a bedding bass.
Randy Howell perches atop the trolling motor bracket, trying to get a better look at a bedding bass.
The rainy conditions weren't perfect for sight-fishing, but Howell stayed locked on a
The rainy conditions weren’t perfect for sight-fishing, but Howell stayed locked on a “8-pounder” that he could see on the bed.
Dennis Tietje unhooks a male bass he caught from a bed early on Day One.
Dennis Tietje unhooks a male bass he caught from a bed early on Day One.
Tietje casts repeatedly to a spawning bed, trying to get a bass to bite.
Tietje casts repeatedly to a spawning bed, trying to get a bass to bite.
Randy Howell tries to figure out how to unhook a gator that bit his jig.
Randy Howell tries to figure out how to unhook a gator that bit his jig.
Randy Howell looks up after the gator gives a little snap and makes him jerk back.
Randy Howell looks up after the gator gives a little snap and makes him jerk back.
The gator, only about 3-feet long, gives a mighty splash.
The gator, only about 3-feet long, gives a mighty splash.
Howell finally is able to get his hands on the gator.
Howell finally is able to get his hands on the gator.
Howell holds up the small gator before he releases it.
Howell holds up the small gator before he releases it.
Dennis Tietje reels down to an empty hook after a bedding bass swiped his plastic worm.
Dennis Tietje reels down to an empty hook after a bedding bass swiped his plastic worm.
Dennis Tietje shields his eyes, trying to get a better look at a bed beneath him.
Dennis Tietje shields his eyes, trying to get a better look at a bed beneath him.
Pete Ponds works on a bedding bass, while Tietje works one in the background. Small ponds where fish are bedding were also full of Elite anglers.
Pete Ponds works on a bedding bass, while Tietje works one in the background. Small ponds where fish are bedding were also full of Elite anglers.
A hen wood duck watches the fishing from atop her box.
A hen wood duck watches the fishing from atop her box.
Jared Lintner's Marshal proves there's about as much excitement to watching a sight-fisherman as there is watching paint dry.
Jared Lintner’s Marshal proves there’s about as much excitement to watching a sight-fisherman as there is watching paint dry.
Shaw Grigsby, a noted sight-fisherman, casts to a bed in the back of a pond.
Shaw Grigsby, a noted sight-fisherman, casts to a bed in the back of a pond.
All the ponds were crowded, like this one with Pat Golden and Grant Goldbeck fishing within a cast of each other.
All the ponds were crowded, like this one with Pat Golden and Grant Goldbeck fishing within a cast of each other.
Pat Golden switches rods while working a
Pat Golden switches rods while working a “5-pounder” swimming around a bed.
The Harris Chain of Lakes is connected with a myriad of canals like this one.
The Harris Chain of Lakes is connected with a myriad of canals like this one.
Dennis Teitje idles past Grant Goldbeck in search of bedded bass.
Dennis Teitje idles past Grant Goldbeck in search of bedded bass.
Howell moves into a canal, after foul-hooking an estimated 7-pounder while bed fishing. He was forced to return the fish to the water.
Howell moves into a canal, after foul-hooking an estimated 7-pounder while bed fishing. He was forced to return the fish to the water.
Davy Hite hooks up with a bass in the lily pads, but loses it a few seconds later.
Davy Hite hooks up with a bass in the lily pads, but loses it a few seconds later.
Hite said the fishing was extremely slow and methodical.
Hite said the fishing was extremely slow and methodical.
Hite casts a plastic worm and slowly moves it around lily pad stems.
Hite casts a plastic worm and slowly moves it around lily pad stems.
Mike McClelland casts to lily pads in the Dead River.
Mike McClelland casts to lily pads in the Dead River.
Yusuke Miyazaki casts within a bed of lily pads, as Mike McClelland casts to the edge of the bed.
Yusuke Miyazaki casts within a bed of lily pads, as Mike McClelland casts to the edge of the bed.
Yusuke Miyazaki flips plastic worms to the lily pads in the Dead River.
Yusuke Miyazaki flips plastic worms to the lily pads in the Dead River.
McClelland was leaving the area, but caught a 3-pounder and decided to stay longer.
McClelland was leaving the area, but caught a 3-pounder and decided to stay longer.