Best of West Point Lake 2011

A look back at the best images from the last Elite Series stop in La Grange, Ga.!

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<p>A line of anglers idle out toward the main lake on Day One of the 2011 Elite Series Pride of Georgia.</p>
A line of anglers idle out toward the main lake on Day One of the 2011 Elite Series Pride of Georgia.
<p>With temperatures near record lows, Paul Elias was bundled up to fight off the morning chill.</p>
With temperatures near record lows, Paul Elias was bundled up to fight off the morning chill.
<p>Ben Parker makes it look easy as he works toward an early limit.</p>
Ben Parker makes it look easy as he works toward an early limit.
<p>Even though the fishing was said to be tough, Terry Butcher found this nice West Point Lake bass. </p>
Even though the fishing was said to be tough, Terry Butcher found this nice West Point Lake bass. 
<p>Edwin Evers stole the day with 22-4.</p>
Edwin Evers stole the day with 22-4.
<p>Boats gather around the dock as thick fog rolls into LaGrange, Ga., early on Day Two.</p>
Boats gather around the dock as thick fog rolls into LaGrange, Ga., early on Day Two.
<p>Brandon Palaniuk started Day Two in 20th place with 14-3.</p>
Brandon Palaniuk started Day Two in 20th place with 14-3.
<p>Rodent - it's what's for lunch.</p>
Rodent – it’s what’s for lunch.
<p>Looking for bedding bass in the fog can be as hard as seeing to drive in it, especially with the high beams on.</p>
Looking for bedding bass in the fog can be as hard as seeing to drive in it, especially with the high beams on.
<p>Steve Kennedy was moving so frequently he wouldn’t take time to raise his trolling motor. </p>
Steve Kennedy was moving so frequently he wouldn’t take time to raise his trolling motor. 
<p>After the fog burned off on Day Two, anglers like Jared Lintner were left with a beautiful spring morning on West Point Lake. </p>
After the fog burned off on Day Two, anglers like Jared Lintner were left with a beautiful spring morning on West Point Lake. 
<p>There was no competing with the barbell Boyd Duckett hoisted onstage, and he knew it.</p>
There was no competing with the barbell Boyd Duckett hoisted onstage, and he knew it.
<p>At least Duckett kept his from becoming lunch for these guys. One backstage mishap, and KVD would've knocked Edwin Evers out of the hot seat.</p>
At least Duckett kept his from becoming lunch for these guys. One backstage mishap, and KVD would’ve knocked Edwin Evers out of the hot seat.
<p>Day Three at West Point: KVD attempts to hide in this cloud while his flotilla of followers waits him out.<br />  </p>
Day Three at West Point: KVD attempts to hide in this cloud while his flotilla of followers waits him out.
 
<p>The spectators give chase as VanDam and his cloud make a move.</p>
The spectators give chase as VanDam and his cloud make a move.
<p>Ishama Monroe adds some weight to his livewell on Day Three – so much so that he took over the lead.</p>
Ishama Monroe adds some weight to his livewell on Day Three – so much so that he took over the lead.
<p>Looks like Edwin Evers didn't know his own strength! Unfortunately, all that muscle didn't help him hang onto the lead.</p>
Looks like Edwin Evers didn’t know his own strength! Unfortunately, all that muscle didn’t help him hang onto the lead.
<p>This is the best of the 2011 Pride of Georgia on West Point: Skeet Reese and 7-year-old Gabe Hawks weigh in on Day Three.</p>
This is the best of the 2011 Pride of Georgia on West Point: Skeet Reese and 7-year-old Gabe Hawks weigh in on Day Three.
<p>Young Gabe had been diagnosed with leukemia the previous summer. He spent the following winter months too weak and ill from chemo to participate in his favorite pasttime - fishing. His dream, as he told Make-A-Wish, was to meet Skeet Reese, who was obviously pleased to make Gabe's acquaintance as well. Read Gabe's story <a href=
Young Gabe had been diagnosed with leukemia the previous summer. He spent the following winter months too weak and ill from chemo to participate in his favorite pasttime – fishing. His dream, as he told Make-A-Wish, was to meet Skeet Reese, who was obviously pleased to make Gabe’s acquaintance as well. Read Gabe’s story here.
<p>Steve Kennedy acknowledges the crowd as he launches on Day Four. Kennedy grew up fishing West Point Lake with his father, also a former Bassmaster Classic qualifier. He stood in fifth place and needed to make up some ground. </p>
Steve Kennedy acknowledges the crowd as he launches on Day Four. Kennedy grew up fishing West Point Lake with his father, also a former Bassmaster Classic qualifier. He stood in fifth place and needed to make up some ground. 
<p> Ish Monroe headed out on Day Four with the tournament lead. This 4-pounder looked great in his livewell, but his 13-0 overall day dropped him to third.</p>
 Ish Monroe headed out on Day Four with the tournament lead. This 4-pounder looked great in his livewell, but his 13-0 overall day dropped him to third.
<p>LaGrange College created a sand sculpture at the tournament site to welcome the Elite Series.</p>
LaGrange College created a sand sculpture at the tournament site to welcome the Elite Series.
<p>Kevin VanDam may hide from you ... but you can't hide from him.</p>
Kevin VanDam may hide from you … but you can’t hide from him.
<p>Especially if your name ends in “bass.”</p>
Especially if your name ends in “bass.”
<p>Steve Kennedy holds up his two big largemouth as the huge LaGrange, Ga., crowd looks on. Not surprisingly, the 2011 Pride of Georgia Champion's trophy would belong to one of her own. Will Kennedy do it again at West Point Lake in 2013?</p>
Steve Kennedy holds up his two big largemouth as the huge LaGrange, Ga., crowd looks on. Not surprisingly, the 2011 Pride of Georgia Champion’s trophy would belong to one of her own. Will Kennedy do it again at West Point Lake in 2013?