Classic: Day 1 from the air

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Day 1 of the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods began with some wind and a bit of cloud cover over Lake Conroe.
Day 1 of the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods began with some wind and a bit of cloud cover over Lake Conroe.
Brett Hite was fishing towards the back of a creek and looking for his first fish of the day.
Brett Hite was fishing towards the back of a creek and looking for his first fish of the day.
From high above Hite.
From high above Hite.
The wind was strong on the main lake, but significantly less in the creeks.
The wind was strong on the main lake, but significantly less in the creeks.
There is lots of flooded habitat for big ones to live in.
There is lots of flooded habitat for big ones to live in.
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A look down on some of the flooded brush.
A look down on some of the flooded brush.
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Where would you flip?
Where would you flip?
Outside of the flooded brush was a bit deeper water with bits of wood and grass sticking up above the surface.
Outside of the flooded brush was a bit deeper water with bits of wood and grass sticking up above the surface.
Many of the long creeks have bridges over them.
Many of the long creeks have bridges over them.
In a different creek we located Skylar Hamilton.
In a different creek we located Skylar Hamilton.
He was fishing shallow and was trying to avoid being in the wind.
He was fishing shallow and was trying to avoid being in the wind.
Skylar working his way down the bank.
Skylar working his way down the bank.
Not far behind Skylar was Bill Lowen.
Not far behind Skylar was Bill Lowen.
Both anglers worked their way up and down the creek.
Both anglers worked their way up and down the creek.
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As the anglers were about to cross paths Bill sets the hook, but the fish came unbuttoned and swam back down into the depths.
As the anglers were about to cross paths Bill sets the hook, but the fish came unbuttoned and swam back down into the depths.
A look back towards the lake from way up the creek.
A look back towards the lake from way up the creek.
Lowen flips his way towards a small point.
Lowen flips his way towards a small point.
He sets the hook and this time connects.
He sets the hook and this time connects.
He flips the fish into the boat, but this one is too small to keep.
He flips the fish into the boat, but this one is too small to keep.
He unhooks the fish and puts it back in the lake.
He unhooks the fish and puts it back in the lake.
He grabs another bait out of his locker.
He grabs another bait out of his locker.
Then goes back to flippin’.
Then goes back to flippin’.
I almost stepped on this as I was climbing up the bank to shoot more pictures of Bill.
I almost stepped on this as I was climbing up the bank to shoot more pictures of Bill.
Lowen works his way into even skinnier water.
Lowen works his way into even skinnier water.
He’s locked on a limb in the water.
He’s locked on a limb in the water.
Flip, flip, flip.
Flip, flip, flip.
Lowen sets the hook, this fish looks like a good one!
Lowen sets the hook, this fish looks like a good one!
He steers it towards the back deck of the boat.
He steers it towards the back deck of the boat.
Then grabs it and brings it over the side. This one is close to 5 pounds.
Then grabs it and brings it over the side. This one is close to 5 pounds.
Lowen unhooks the fish.
Lowen unhooks the fish.
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Bill heads back out to the main creek and continues to fish down the shoreline.
Bill heads back out to the main creek and continues to fish down the shoreline.
Not far away we located Chris Zaldain who had a decent bag in the box and was hunting for a big bite.
Not far away we located Chris Zaldain who had a decent bag in the box and was hunting for a big bite.
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After fishing through an area Chris makes a few moves. He’s looking for big ones.
After fishing through an area Chris makes a few moves. He’s looking for big ones.
Can you spot Zaldain way back in this picture?
Can you spot Zaldain way back in this picture?
Chris up close and personal with a dock.
Chris up close and personal with a dock.
A giant could literally come on any cast. With a couple more hours until weigh in will Chris be able to get that big girl in his live well to show you back in Houston?!
A giant could literally come on any cast. With a couple more hours until weigh in will Chris be able to get that big girl in his live well to show you back in Houston?!