Elites on Cayuga Lake

Stormy skies and packed conditions challenged the Elites on Day 1 of the A.R.E. Truck Caps Bassmaster Elite at Cayuga Lake.

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The morning started with anglers fishing close to each other, a few of them catching fish like this one, caught by Andy Montgomery.
The morning started with anglers fishing close to each other, a few of them catching fish like this one, caught by Andy Montgomery.
Montgomery and Rick Morris were just part of a growing crowd on specific areas in Cayuga.
Montgomery and Rick Morris were just part of a growing crowd on specific areas in Cayuga.
The packed conditions were similar to those on Lake George at the St. John’s River during the first event of the season.
The packed conditions were similar to those on Lake George at the St. John’s River during the first event of the season.
Lots of anglers and bent rods, including Joe Sancho.
Lots of anglers and bent rods, including Joe Sancho.
But most of the bent rods had pike or pickerel on the end.
But most of the bent rods had pike or pickerel on the end.
While conditions were crowded, there were plenty of boats moving around.
While conditions were crowded, there were plenty of boats moving around.
In the background, one of the bent rods would turn into a bass.
In the background, one of the bent rods would turn into a bass.
Most of the anglers were fishing large grass beds in water 15 feet or deeper.
Most of the anglers were fishing large grass beds in water 15 feet or deeper.
Randy Howell speeds past one of the areas.
Randy Howell speeds past one of the areas.
While Billy McCaghren and John Crews fish past each other.
While Billy McCaghren and John Crews fish past each other.
While most of the action was in short pitches to the grass, occasionally you would see a cast.
While most of the action was in short pitches to the grass, occasionally you would see a cast.
Cast too far and you might get your line ran over.
Cast too far and you might get your line ran over.
Justin Lucas speeds past.
Justin Lucas speeds past.
While Lucas runs, Cliff Crochet boats a long pickerel.
While Lucas runs, Cliff Crochet boats a long pickerel.
Byron Velvick swings through the crowd...
Byron Velvick swings through the crowd…
...casting his trademark swim baits.
…casting his trademark swim baits.
Velvick swings his bait across the grass.
Velvick swings his bait across the grass.
Terry Scroggins moves through with a crankbait.
Terry Scroggins moves through with a crankbait.
All around them, boats move and jockey for a place to land.
All around them, boats move and jockey for a place to land.
Scott Rook casts to a grass patch nearby.
Scott Rook casts to a grass patch nearby.
Against the bank, Jared Miller fishes docks.
Against the bank, Jared Miller fishes docks.
Behind him is Mark Davis.
Behind him is Mark Davis.
Davis jumped out into the lead early on Day 1.
Davis jumped out into the lead early on Day 1.
He caught several fish in short order.
He caught several fish in short order.
Davis led the AOY race through much of the season.
Davis led the AOY race through much of the season.
But stumbled at the Delaware River. Fish like this one put him back on track.
But stumbled at the Delaware River. Fish like this one put him back on track.
He culled this small one.
He culled this small one.
This one culled another.
This one culled another.
Prompting Davis to throw out a marker buoy.
Prompting Davis to throw out a marker buoy.
He would circle the buoy all morning...
He would circle the buoy all morning…
...catching fish after fish.
…catching fish after fish.
All of them making a little splash.
All of them making a little splash.
During one point, he cast out and then moved to sit down.
During one point, he cast out and then moved to sit down.
As soon as he laid his rod down, he had to pick it up again.
As soon as he laid his rod down, he had to pick it up again.
A mighty hookset later, his rod is bent.
A mighty hookset later, his rod is bent.
He jumps back to the deck.
He jumps back to the deck.
And pulls in a hefty largemouth.
And pulls in a hefty largemouth.
The fish comes aboard in a stream of water.
The fish comes aboard in a stream of water.
And quickly culls.
And quickly culls.
A half mile away, boats are piled on top a large grass bed.
A half mile away, boats are piled on top a large grass bed.
By the time the sun popped out, Davis was picking up his buoy.
By the time the sun popped out, Davis was picking up his buoy.
Then his trolling motor.
Then his trolling motor.
And moving off to other way-points.
And moving off to other way-points.
Matt Reed fishes by Kenyon Hill.
Matt Reed fishes by Kenyon Hill.
And quickly hooks up with a pickerel.
And quickly hooks up with a pickerel.
Kurt Dove moves into the group, situating his cap as his boat slides off plane.
Kurt Dove moves into the group, situating his cap as his boat slides off plane.
And Fletcher Shryock runs in the background.
And Fletcher Shryock runs in the background.
Gary Klein pitches to grass mats.
Gary Klein pitches to grass mats.
Keith Combs boats another toothy fish.
Keith Combs boats another toothy fish.
David Walker fires a crankbait.
David Walker fires a crankbait.
Focused on hitting the right spot.
Focused on hitting the right spot.