Classic: Day 1 on Grand II

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Day 1 of the Bassmaster Classic on Grand Lake started pretty much the same for every one. Almost all of them were covering water and moving fast.
Day 1 of the Bassmaster Classic on Grand Lake started pretty much the same for every one. Almost all of them were covering water and moving fast.
Michael Iaconelli was no different as he quickly worked banks over with a flurry of casts.
Michael Iaconelli was no different as he quickly worked banks over with a flurry of casts.
Sending baits quickly down the bank.
Sending baits quickly down the bank.
And then idling quickly to the next one.
And then idling quickly to the next one.

A young fan watches and hopes he catches one.
A young fan watches and hopes he catches one.
Kevin VanDam slows as Iaconelli's armada races past him.
Kevin VanDam slows as Iaconelli’s armada races past him.
VanDam would follow suit of the other anglers, racing down a bank and covering water.
VanDam would follow suit of the other anglers, racing down a bank and covering water.

While the anglers raced around, spectators were everywhere. Some were on land.
While the anglers raced around, spectators were everywhere. Some were on land.
And there were a lot on the water.
And there were a lot on the water.
But VanDam had no answers for the lack of bites.
But VanDam had no answers for the lack of bites.
All the commotion had the Canada geese confused.
All the commotion had the Canada geese confused.
Nearby, though, Bill Lowen was working hard.
Nearby, though, Bill Lowen was working hard.
At this point he had a limit in the boat, but was looking for more.
At this point he had a limit in the boat, but was looking for more.
But the only thing he was hooking up with was his hat.
But the only thing he was hooking up with was his hat.
The hooks in the hat, though, didn't bother him.
The hooks in the hat, though, didn’t bother him.
Ad when he and Micah Frazier found themselves in the same water, it was business as usual.
Ad when he and Micah Frazier found themselves in the same water, it was business as usual.
Even when Frazier boated his final keeper.
Even when Frazier boated his final keeper.
Lowen kept working to upgrade his limit.
Lowen kept working to upgrade his limit.
When Lowen moved to a key area, he found Todd Faircloth.
When Lowen moved to a key area, he found Todd Faircloth.
But at the time, the action was slow enough to put the spectators to sleep.
But at the time, the action was slow enough to put the spectators to sleep.
But there were plenty of spectators who stayed awake to watch the action.
But there were plenty of spectators who stayed awake to watch the action.
Lowen would eventually catch another keeper.
Lowen would eventually catch another keeper.
This one would come close to getting hung up in a cable.
This one would come close to getting hung up in a cable.
Before getting his hands on the 3-pound largemouth.
Before getting his hands on the 3-pound largemouth.
The fish would cull a small spotted bass and give him more than 16 pounds on the day.
The fish would cull a small spotted bass and give him more than 16 pounds on the day.
Lowen would continue to try a variety of things to add to his weight.
Lowen would continue to try a variety of things to add to his weight.
Sometimes he would fish on his knees.
Sometimes he would fish on his knees.
Sometimes he fished close to the bank.
Sometimes he fished close to the bank.
He fished around docks.
He fished around docks.
Behind docks.
Behind docks.
And in front of cameramen.
And in front of cameramen.
But as the day wore on, he didn't have an answer for the tough day.
But as the day wore on, he didn’t have an answer for the tough day.
Brandon Card would rush through the area, looking for his fifth keeper.
Brandon Card would rush through the area, looking for his fifth keeper.
He would eventually catch it but after several stops.
He would eventually catch it but after several stops.
And VanDam would return.
And VanDam would return.
Moving quickly down banks looking for his last two keepers.
Moving quickly down banks looking for his last two keepers.
He would hook up.
He would hook up.
But the fish would be too short to measure as a keeper.
But the fish would be too short to measure as a keeper.
VanDam would quickly unhook it,
VanDam would quickly unhook it,
And get back to work.
And get back to work.
But by the end of the day, his confusion and frustration was evident, a common sight among a lot of anglers on Day 1.
But by the end of the day, his confusion and frustration was evident, a common sight among a lot of anglers on Day 1.