Best catches of Round 1

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The first round of the Bassmaster Classic Bracket is over, but during the last two days it’s produced some exciting action among the eight anglers who went head-to-head for a chance to make the 2018 Bassmaster Classic. <br><br>We’ve seen some last-second heroics, a bad luck fish and a couple explosions of Ike going Ike. Take a look at some of the best action from Round 1.
The first round of the Bassmaster Classic Bracket is over, but during the last two days it’s produced some exciting action among the eight anglers who went head-to-head for a chance to make the 2018 Bassmaster Classic.
We’ve seen some last-second heroics, a bad luck fish and a couple explosions of Ike going Ike. Take a look at some of the best action from Round 1.
We saw Steve Kennedy catch a fish, actually the largest fish in the derby so far, on the very first cast. The big smallmouth coming so early was a premonition of great things to come, at least for some.
We saw Steve Kennedy catch a fish, actually the largest fish in the derby so far, on the very first cast. The big smallmouth coming so early was a premonition of great things to come, at least for some.
Despite the big start by Kennedy in Round 1, the catch would prove an age-old adage: Catching a fish on the first cast is bad luck.
Despite the big start by Kennedy in Round 1, the catch would prove an age-old adage: Catching a fish on the first cast is bad luck.
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Kennedy would eventually be eliminated after struggling on Day 2 in the second round, managing only 14-2 over the two days of three-hour fishing rounds.
Kennedy would eventually be eliminated after struggling on Day 2 in the second round, managing only 14-2 over the two days of three-hour fishing rounds.
Jacob Powroznik is the only angler to fish two Classic Bracket events.
Jacob Powroznik is the only angler to fish two Classic Bracket events.
Last year, he fished with little at stake, having already qualified for the Classic at that point.
Last year, he fished with little at stake, having already qualified for the Classic at that point.
This season, Powroznik was struggling to stay in contention for the Bracket after a poor showing at the AOY Championship. But he quickly made up for showing, by jumping way out in front of the leaderboard with quick limits during both rounds.
This season, Powroznik was struggling to stay in contention for the Bracket after a poor showing at the AOY Championship. But he quickly made up for showing, by jumping way out in front of the leaderboard with quick limits during both rounds.
Going into the semifinal rounds, Powroznik is the only angler who seems to have little trouble getting bites both shallow and deep.
Going into the semifinal rounds, Powroznik is the only angler who seems to have little trouble getting bites both shallow and deep.
Kelley Jaye kept things close on Day 1.
Kelley Jaye kept things close on Day 1.
Utilizing his trademark ability to skip a jig into extreme tiny places, he boated keeper after keeper.
Utilizing his trademark ability to skip a jig into extreme tiny places, he boated keeper after keeper.
Jaye focused more on deeper fish, something Jaye has been successful with all week.
Jaye focused more on deeper fish, something Jaye has been successful with all week.
But Pokegama is a glacier-style lake without the easy-to-read structure of most man-made reservoirs.
But Pokegama is a glacier-style lake without the easy-to-read structure of most man-made reservoirs.

Jaye stayed within a few pounds after Day 1, but on Day 2 was unable to keep pace.
Jaye stayed within a few pounds after Day 1, but on Day 2 was unable to keep pace.
The most exciting moment of the event thus far was provided during Lefebre’s last cast on Day 1.
The most exciting moment of the event thus far was provided during Lefebre’s last cast on Day 1.
This series of photos was shot during the course of about 30 seconds.
This series of photos was shot during the course of about 30 seconds.
It was Lefebre’s last cast and accurately placed his lure under a pontoon boat.
It was Lefebre’s last cast and accurately placed his lure under a pontoon boat.
With in seconds he was hooked up and fighting the fish.
With in seconds he was hooked up and fighting the fish.
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Fearing time was running out, he jerked the fish from well away from the boat and brought aboard.
Fearing time was running out, he jerked the fish from well away from the boat and brought aboard.
The fish would be his biggest of the day, but also give him a comfortable cushion going into Day 2 of Round 1.
The fish would be his biggest of the day, but also give him a comfortable cushion going into Day 2 of Round 1.
Tournament rules stipulate that a caught fish must be over the gunwales before time expires. .
Tournament rules stipulate that a caught fish must be over the gunwales before time expires. .
Official replays of the catch showed that the fish crossed the gunwales and into the boat with just 2 seconds remaining in the round.
Official replays of the catch showed that the fish crossed the gunwales and into the boat with just 2 seconds remaining in the round.
The result for Lefebre was similar to a baseball player hitting a game-winning homer in the bottom of the ninth, or a quarterback connecting on a Hail Mary.
The result for Lefebre was similar to a baseball player hitting a game-winning homer in the bottom of the ninth, or a quarterback connecting on a Hail Mary.
Jonathon VanDam pulled off the improbable to get to the Bracket.
Jonathon VanDam pulled off the improbable to get to the Bracket.
He had a strong finish at St. Clair to slip into the AOY Championship, held the week before.
He had a strong finish at St. Clair to slip into the AOY Championship, held the week before.
With no shot at making the Classic outright, VanDam had to have an exception AOY event to get into the Bracket.
With no shot at making the Classic outright, VanDam had to have an exception AOY event to get into the Bracket.
He made it with room to spare, but was unable to keep his momentum going and was eliminated by Ish Monroe.
He made it with room to spare, but was unable to keep his momentum going and was eliminated by Ish Monroe.
Monroe has so little trouble catching fish in the early rounds that he spent most of Day 2 practicing.
Monroe has so little trouble catching fish in the early rounds that he spent most of Day 2 practicing.
Monroe is focusing shallow, a tactic that didn’t work for him at the AOY Championship.
Monroe is focusing shallow, a tactic that didn’t work for him at the AOY Championship.
Monroe, though, has stayed persistent at Pokegame.
Monroe, though, has stayed persistent at Pokegame.
And his persistence has paid off. He waltzed into the semifinal round.
And his persistence has paid off. He waltzed into the semifinal round.
But knows the next round won’t be as easy.
But knows the next round won’t be as easy.
He faces one of his best friends and roommates Michael Iaconelli.
He faces one of his best friends and roommates Michael Iaconelli.
Iaconelli may be the most feared head-to-head match up by most of these guys.
Iaconelli may be the most feared head-to-head match up by most of these guys.
The super intense angler always produces some fireworks and to this point, he’s brought plenty of it.
The super intense angler always produces some fireworks and to this point, he’s brought plenty of it.
He was matched against fellow New Jersey angler, Adrian Avena and it was by far the closest of the first-round matches.
He was matched against fellow New Jersey angler, Adrian Avena and it was by far the closest of the first-round matches.
Ike in his trademark never-quit fishing-style, raced through Day 1 covering water like a mad man.
Ike in his trademark never-quit fishing-style, raced through Day 1 covering water like a mad man.
By Day 2, he settled into a rhythm and built a big stringer in what appeared to be an easy run for him.
By Day 2, he settled into a rhythm and built a big stringer in what appeared to be an easy run for him.
And it turned out to be just enough, because Avena staged a big comeback on Day 2.
And it turned out to be just enough, because Avena staged a big comeback on Day 2.
He finished Day 1, with only four fish.
He finished Day 1, with only four fish.
The lack of that fish, along with Iaconelli’s strong showing, forced an elimination of Avena.
The lack of that fish, along with Iaconelli’s strong showing, forced an elimination of Avena.
Avena, unlike the other eliminated anglers, was literally one bite away from fishing on Day 3.
Avena, unlike the other eliminated anglers, was literally one bite away from fishing on Day 3.
The following are some of the best catches from the early rounds, providing a sample of what is sure to come.
The following are some of the best catches from the early rounds, providing a sample of what is sure to come.