Amazing Elite aerial shots

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Five Bassmaster Elite Series anglers shared water in a series of three spawning pockets near the dam at Lake Fork Reservoir. The action was slow, most likely due to cloud cover. Follow along on this mini-tour of the lake during a mid-morning tour on Day 1 at the Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite at Lake Fork.
Five Bassmaster Elite Series anglers shared water in a series of three spawning pockets near the dam at Lake Fork Reservoir. The action was slow, most likely due to cloud cover. Follow along on this mini-tour of the lake during a mid-morning tour on Day 1 at the Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite at Lake Fork.
First up was Chris Zaldain, whom I observed moving slowly across the pocket, keying on this flat with a swimbait, while searching for bedding bass.
First up was Chris Zaldain, whom I observed moving slowly across the pocket, keying on this flat with a swimbait, while searching for bedding bass.
Around the corner was Darold Gleason, already with 21 pounds, 12 ounces, on the BassTrakk scoreboard.
Around the corner was Darold Gleason, already with 21 pounds, 12 ounces, on the BassTrakk scoreboard.
Like Zaldain, Gleason had a foot on his trolling motor, slowly maneuvering along the shoreline, using a reaction bait to locate spawning bass.
Like Zaldain, Gleason had a foot on his trolling motor, slowly maneuvering along the shoreline, using a reaction bait to locate spawning bass.
Gleason packed up and left this spot shortly after reaching the point.
Gleason packed up and left this spot shortly after reaching the point.
This perspective gives you an aerial view of the clarity along the shoreline, which made it ideal for sight fishing.
This perspective gives you an aerial view of the clarity along the shoreline, which made it ideal for sight fishing.
In the next cove up was Gerald Swindle, whom I observed doing the same thing as the others. Soon as he came upon a bed, the shallow water anchors went down for sight fishing a bed.
In the next cove up was Gerald Swindle, whom I observed doing the same thing as the others. Soon as he came upon a bed, the shallow water anchors went down for sight fishing a bed.
After covering the spawning pocket, without any luck, Swindle went around the corner to a similar area.
After covering the spawning pocket, without any luck, Swindle went around the corner to a similar area.
Swindle told me on the way out that he needed sunlight for better visibility of the beds. “They are in there and I need the sun to pinpoint my lure presentation.”
Swindle told me on the way out that he needed sunlight for better visibility of the beds. “They are in there and I need the sun to pinpoint my lure presentation.”
All alone in an adjacent pocket was Jamie Hartman. He spent the entire two hours I was in the area in this location.
All alone in an adjacent pocket was Jamie Hartman. He spent the entire two hours I was in the area in this location.
Hartman’s anchors went down immediately upon arriving on a bed.
Hartman’s anchors went down immediately upon arriving on a bed.
Water clarity was prime for sight fishing, less the sunshine.
Water clarity was prime for sight fishing, less the sunshine.
You can see the sandy bottom where the bass are making spawning beds.
You can see the sandy bottom where the bass are making spawning beds.
Hartman used a reaction bait most of this pass, not having much luck seeing a bed.
Hartman used a reaction bait most of this pass, not having much luck seeing a bed.
His luck would change soon as he approached the tree.
His luck would change soon as he approached the tree.
The shallow water anchors deployed, Hartman put down the reaction bait, and picked up a finesse rig to fish the bed.
The shallow water anchors deployed, Hartman put down the reaction bait, and picked up a finesse rig to fish the bed.
Hartman stayed on this bed for 20 minutes without luck. He left and so did I, with the wind creating drag on the drone and requiring frequent battery changes.
Hartman stayed on this bed for 20 minutes without luck. He left and so did I, with the wind creating drag on the drone and requiring frequent battery changes.
Next up was Keith Combs, foot on the trolling motor, never stopping. As of no surprise, he was slinging a jerkbait.
Next up was Keith Combs, foot on the trolling motor, never stopping. As of no surprise, he was slinging a jerkbait.
I zoomed out of Combs to show a good perspective about the clarity of the water.
I zoomed out of Combs to show a good perspective about the clarity of the water.
Last stop was Swindle again, and this time he was anchored down on a bed.
Last stop was Swindle again, and this time he was anchored down on a bed.
He stayed for 20 minutes without any luck.
He stayed for 20 minutes without any luck.