Classic: Day 1 on Grand III

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Ott Defoe selects a rod to make his first cast with in the 2016 GEICO Bassmaster Classic.
Ott Defoe selects a rod to make his first cast with in the 2016 GEICO Bassmaster Classic.
A long day of grinding it out on Grand Lake was in store.
A long day of grinding it out on Grand Lake was in store.
Spectators were not only in boats, they found places to watch Randy Howell fish from the shoreline.
Spectators were not only in boats, they found places to watch Randy Howell fish from the shoreline.
Photographers did too.
Photographers did too.
We caught an early glimpse of Kevin VanDam running and gunning.
We caught an early glimpse of Kevin VanDam running and gunning.
Randy Howell was firing away early in the day, trying to cover as much water as possible…
Randy Howell was firing away early in the day, trying to cover as much water as possible…
…but the early bite was tough.
…but the early bite was tough.
Howell changed baits several time trying to figure out the finicky fish on Grand Lake.
Howell changed baits several time trying to figure out the finicky fish on Grand Lake.
This round bale of hay was deposited high on a shoreline from the spring floods on Grand Lake.
This round bale of hay was deposited high on a shoreline from the spring floods on Grand Lake.
Iaconelli has the dog treats this year.
Iaconelli has the dog treats this year.
We caught up with Edwin Evers; he had one fish in the livewell.
We caught up with Edwin Evers; he had one fish in the livewell.
He was cycling through several baits too.
He was cycling through several baits too.
Evers was part of the live coverage viewers could check out on Bassmaster.com.
Evers was part of the live coverage viewers could check out on Bassmaster.com.
The local favorite had several spectator boats and photographers watching him on Day 1.
The local favorite had several spectator boats and photographers watching him on Day 1.
And they were about to see him catch one of his better fish of the day.
And they were about to see him catch one of his better fish of the day.
Though the water is a bit on the cool side, this fish still had plenty of fight.
Though the water is a bit on the cool side, this fish still had plenty of fight.
Evers took his time with the fish…
Evers took his time with the fish…
…and worked his way to the back of the boat.
…and worked his way to the back of the boat.
It took a bit of time…
It took a bit of time…
…and some expert manipulation of his rod…
…and some expert manipulation of his rod…
…and get a grip on the fish.
…and get a grip on the fish.
Cameraman Todd Barnes captured all the action.
Cameraman Todd Barnes captured all the action.
Evers gave the spectators and photographers a good look at his fish.
Evers gave the spectators and photographers a good look at his fish.
He continued to work his way down a rocky shoreline…
He continued to work his way down a rocky shoreline…
…changing baits often…
…changing baits often…
…but never had another bite in the area.
…but never had another bite in the area.
However he still had a smile on his face and plenty of time left in the day.
However he still had a smile on his face and plenty of time left in the day.
And Oklahoma fishing fans that would stick it out with him.
And Oklahoma fishing fans that would stick it out with him.
Today we saw photographers in some of the strangest places.
Today we saw photographers in some of the strangest places.
And a lot of spectator boats on the water.
And a lot of spectator boats on the water.
Springs floods had randomly deposited huge trees along the shoreline.
Springs floods had randomly deposited huge trees along the shoreline.
But the water never got nearly as high as some of the bluff walls on the lake.
But the water never got nearly as high as some of the bluff walls on the lake.
These nearby spectators never made a sound.
These nearby spectators never made a sound.
The fishing was tough, so any bent rod looked good.
The fishing was tough, so any bent rod looked good.
But Watson kept grinding, firing cast after cast.
But Watson kept grinding, firing cast after cast.
Even a tough day of fishing beats yard work.
Even a tough day of fishing beats yard work.
Watson admitted the fishing was tough for him today…
Watson admitted the fishing was tough for him today…
…but the weather was so nice in the afternoon he had to shed his hoodie.
…but the weather was so nice in the afternoon he had to shed his hoodie.
Watson visited with the spectators were following him on Day 1, and stopped to give this lady and her young daughter a new War Eagle spinnerbait to try.
Watson visited with the spectators were following him on Day 1, and stopped to give this lady and her young daughter a new War Eagle spinnerbait to try.
Hopefully it was a magical spinnerbait that would catch a bass.
Hopefully it was a magical spinnerbait that would catch a bass.
Watson quickly showed them that it certainly would…
Watson quickly showed them that it certainly would…
Problem was with this bass…
Problem was with this bass…
…it looked like it may be a little short to keep.
…it looked like it may be a little short to keep.
After a quick measurement…
After a quick measurement…
…Watson had to release the fish.
…Watson had to release the fish.
The last angler we caught up with on Day 1 was Brandon Palaniuk.
The last angler we caught up with on Day 1 was Brandon Palaniuk.
With only an hour to fish, Palaniuk had three fish in the livewell. This fish was too short and had to be released.
With only an hour to fish, Palaniuk had three fish in the livewell. This fish was too short and had to be released.
But the next fish he hooked appeared a bit more substantial.
But the next fish he hooked appeared a bit more substantial.
Palaniuk quickly pulled the fish over the side of the boat…
Palaniuk quickly pulled the fish over the side of the boat…
…gained control of it…
…gained control of it…
…and placed it on a measuring board.
…and placed it on a measuring board.
And finally celebrated another keeper.
And finally celebrated another keeper.
…had their fish bumped by B.A.S.S. Tournament officials, and began the long drive to the weigh-in, in Tulsa, Okla.
…had their fish bumped by B.A.S.S. Tournament officials, and began the long drive to the weigh-in, in Tulsa, Okla.