Best photos from Bull Shoals/Norfork

Posted on
Adrian Avena maintains high visibility on Day 1 of the Bassmaster Elite at Bull Shoals/Norfork event. Dense fog prompted a nearly two-hour delay to kick off the tournament.
Adrian Avena maintains high visibility on Day 1 of the Bassmaster Elite at Bull Shoals/Norfork event. Dense fog prompted a nearly two-hour delay to kick off the tournament.
The fog continued after sunrise.
The fog continued after sunrise.
Reigning Angler of the Year Aaron Martens appeared upbeat about his morning on Norfork Lake. This tournament would present a unique challenge – fishing on Days 1 and 4 would take place on Norfork, and Days 2 and 3 on Bull Shoals.
Reigning Angler of the Year Aaron Martens appeared upbeat about his morning on Norfork Lake. This tournament would present a unique challenge – fishing on Days 1 and 4 would take place on Norfork, and Days 2 and 3 on Bull Shoals.
Both lakes were fishing a little differently, which could benefit pros like Martens, who ended Day 1 on Norfork in 78th place.
Both lakes were fishing a little differently, which could benefit pros like Martens, who ended Day 1 on Norfork in 78th place.
Bird's-eye view of Brock Mosley.
Bird’s-eye view of Brock Mosley.
Davy Hite finds a nice, clear pocket to search for bedding bass.
Davy Hite finds a nice, clear pocket to search for bedding bass.
The ever-optimistic Chris Lane.
The ever-optimistic Chris Lane.
Chris Zaldain swings keeper No. 4 into the boat. He would finish the first day in third place.
Chris Zaldain swings keeper No. 4 into the boat. He would finish the first day in third place.
Mike McClelland was a local pre-tournament favorite.
Mike McClelland was a local pre-tournament favorite.
Jeff Kriet scoops up a nice bass on the afternoon of Day 1.
Jeff Kriet scoops up a nice bass on the afternoon of Day 1.
Bill Lowen nonchalantly swings aboard a Norfork bass.
Bill Lowen nonchalantly swings aboard a Norfork bass.
Lowen put it on repeat to complete the afternoon in 11th place.
Lowen put it on repeat to complete the afternoon in 11th place.
Randall Tharp wrapped up Day 1 in fifth. His 15-pound, 8-ounce sack included this pair of northern Arkansas bookends.
Randall Tharp wrapped up Day 1 in fifth. His 15-pound, 8-ounce sack included this pair of northern Arkansas bookends.
On top after Day 1 was Matt Herren with 17 pounds.
On top after Day 1 was Matt Herren with 17 pounds.
B.A.S.S. emcee Dave Mercer interviews Skeet Reese, who would start a crystal clear Day 2 in 14th place.
B.A.S.S. emcee Dave Mercer interviews Skeet Reese, who would start a crystal clear Day 2 in 14th place.
The second day of competition took place on Bull Shoals Lake, where the Elites would enjoy a full day of fishing.
The second day of competition took place on Bull Shoals Lake, where the Elites would enjoy a full day of fishing.
Elite Series rookie Jay Brainard fires a cast as the sun rises over Bull Shoals. If you haven’t already, <a href=http://www.bassmaster.com/news/new-elite-jay-brainard target=
Elite Series rookie Jay Brainard fires a cast as the sun rises over Bull Shoals. If you haven’t already, check out this article introducing Brainard. He compares bass fishing to his previous career of freestyle bullfighting – hard to imagine, looking at this serene photo!
This spotted bass filled out Greg Hackney’s limit early Friday morning.
This spotted bass filled out Greg Hackney’s limit early Friday morning.
Rumor has it some feathers were ruffled over sharing water during the event.
Rumor has it some feathers were ruffled over sharing water during the event.
Jason Christie is perfecting pirouettes, or he hasn’t caught any fish. You decide.
Jason Christie is perfecting pirouettes, or he hasn’t caught any fish. You decide.
Despite a good day on Bull Shoals, Day 1 leader Matt Herren fell to eighth place by the end of Day 2.
Despite a good day on Bull Shoals, Day 1 leader Matt Herren fell to eighth place by the end of Day 2.
Britt Myers is pickin’ and grinnin’ in the Ozarks, which may have something to do with his recent win on Winyah Bay.
Britt Myers is pickin’ and grinnin’ in the Ozarks, which may have something to do with his recent win on Winyah Bay.
The momentum Chris Zaldain had continued through Day 2, the end of which found him in a tie with Bill Lowen for the lead.
The momentum Chris Zaldain had continued through Day 2, the end of which found him in a tie with Bill Lowen for the lead.
The co-leaders interview before getting back to work on Bull Shoals on Day 3.
The co-leaders interview before getting back to work on Bull Shoals on Day 3.
And work, they did. Lowen would put together 12-12 for the day, falling slightly to sixth.
And work, they did. Lowen would put together 12-12 for the day, falling slightly to sixth.
Meanwhile, Zaldain juggled shotguns…
Meanwhile, Zaldain juggled shotguns…
…and snakes…
…and snakes…
…while doing a little jerk fishing.
…while doing a little jerk fishing.
Skeet Reese was the big story of Day 3, with a 19-pound, 2-ounce sack that boosted him from 26th to third.
Skeet Reese was the big story of Day 3, with a 19-pound, 2-ounce sack that boosted him from 26th to third.
Randall Tharp was the other headliner after taking the lead with 45-8.
Randall Tharp was the other headliner after taking the lead with 45-8.
The challenge was on for Tharp – the leaderboard was tight and the competition was moving back to Norfork for Day 4.
The challenge was on for Tharp – the leaderboard was tight and the competition was moving back to Norfork for Day 4.
Zaldain shows off his not-so-secret weapon as Brandon Palaniuk gets a not-so-covert look.
Zaldain shows off his not-so-secret weapon as Brandon Palaniuk gets a not-so-covert look.
Day 4 begins!
Day 4 begins!
Jacob Powroznik, who started the day in fourth, hopes this one will help him advance up the leaderboard.
Jacob Powroznik, who started the day in fourth, hopes this one will help him advance up the leaderboard.
He’ll take them anywhere he can find them.
He’ll take them anywhere he can find them.
Promise, they’re not over here.
Promise, they’re not over here.
Palaniuk had a disappointing Day 4. Nonetheless, he kept the photographer very busy.
Palaniuk had a disappointing Day 4. Nonetheless, he kept the photographer very busy.
Reese started off fishing shallow cover with a square bill.
Reese started off fishing shallow cover with a square bill.
His day began with little keepers, and after switching to a larger swimbait, brought in a solid 4-pounder.
His day began with little keepers, and after switching to a larger swimbait, brought in a solid 4-pounder.
Norfork had another for Reese. He made a solid run and finished the tournament in second – not too shabby considering he sat in 26th place at the beginning of the previous day.
Norfork had another for Reese. He made a solid run and finished the tournament in second – not too shabby considering he sat in 26th place at the beginning of the previous day.
Zaldain continues to entertain on Day 4.
Zaldain continues to entertain on Day 4.
A solid Norfork bass.
A solid Norfork bass.
On to Randall Tharp, who would add a little scent to his jig and trailer every few casts.
On to Randall Tharp, who would add a little scent to his jig and trailer every few casts.
Tharp’s afternoon was quite a thrill for those watching Bassmaster LIVE.
Tharp’s afternoon was quite a thrill for those watching Bassmaster LIVE.
Tharp finds the kicker he needs to secure the win.
Tharp finds the kicker he needs to secure the win.
...
…
...
…
Local favorite Mike McClelland would end up ninth.
Local favorite Mike McClelland would end up ninth.
Tharp would earn his very first Elite Series title.
Tharp would earn his very first Elite Series title.
The closest guess to the winning weight of 61 pounds, 10 ounces was 62 pounds, predicted by Brent Chapman, Jeff Kriet, Dennis Tietje, and Jerry McKinnis. We look forward to what their crystal balls have to say about this week's event on Wheeler Lake!
The closest guess to the winning weight of 61 pounds, 10 ounces was 62 pounds, predicted by Brent Chapman, Jeff Kriet, Dennis Tietje, and Jerry McKinnis. We look forward to what their crystal balls have to say about this week’s event on Wheeler Lake!