Classic: Day 1 on Grand Lake IV

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We’re in Cowboy country for Day 1 of the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro on Grand Lake.
We’re in Cowboy country for Day 1 of the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro on Grand Lake.
We see local favorite James Elam running down the lake right away…
We see local favorite James Elam running down the lake right away…
… so we fall in line with his armada of spectator boats.
… so we fall in line with his armada of spectator boats.
Elam settles in on a rocky stretch of Grand Lake shoreline.
Elam settles in on a rocky stretch of Grand Lake shoreline.
A look at those who keep Elam afloat.
A look at those who keep Elam afloat.
Elam keeps an eye on the far shore. A few docks are looking good to Elam.
Elam keeps an eye on the far shore. A few docks are looking good to Elam.
For now, it’s down the bank with a spinnerbait.
For now, it’s down the bank with a spinnerbait.
The armada is growing.
The armada is growing.
Time for the docks.
Time for the docks.
Elam lets his boat coast in and then catches the dock with his foot to cut down on prop-wash from his trolling motor.
Elam lets his boat coast in and then catches the dock with his foot to cut down on prop-wash from his trolling motor.
The stealthy maneuver pays off…
The stealthy maneuver pays off…
… as Elam hooks up.
… as Elam hooks up.
Elam already has two in the well…
Elam already has two in the well…
… and this one looks like another keeper.
… and this one looks like another keeper.
In the boat.
In the boat.
In the well she goes.
In the well she goes.
A GoPro look at Elam’s armada. A couple dozen boats stretch out as far as the eye in the sky can see.
A GoPro look at Elam’s armada. A couple dozen boats stretch out as far as the eye in the sky can see.
Elam idles through the armada.
Elam idles through the armada.
We make a move and find 2015 Toyota Angler of the Year Aaron Martens.
We make a move and find 2015 Toyota Angler of the Year Aaron Martens.
A lot of glass out here today.
A lot of glass out here today.
Watching Aaron clean his crank.
Watching Aaron clean his crank.
Aaron works his way in and out of the docks.
Aaron works his way in and out of the docks.
Docks, walkways, cables, all sorts of obstructions stand between Aaron and the fish.
Docks, walkways, cables, all sorts of obstructions stand between Aaron and the fish.
ESPN cameramen streaming all the action to Bassmaster LIVE for the world to see on Bassmaster.com.
ESPN cameramen streaming all the action to Bassmaster LIVE for the world to see on Bassmaster.com.
A bowed rod, but only bottom on this cast as Aaron hangs the cover.
A bowed rod, but only bottom on this cast as Aaron hangs the cover.
After popping his bait free, Aaron’s back at it.
After popping his bait free, Aaron’s back at it.
Under the cables Aaron goes.
Under the cables Aaron goes.
Buck up Cowboys; it looks like a tough bite so far this morning.
Buck up Cowboys; it looks like a tough bite so far this morning.
Of all the Elite Series anglers, Aaron takes the most pride in tweaking his tackle.
Of all the Elite Series anglers, Aaron takes the most pride in tweaking his tackle.
We’ve seen KVD tune his crankbait with his teeth before; I guess we’ve seen Aaron do the same now.
We’ve seen KVD tune his crankbait with his teeth before; I guess we’ve seen Aaron do the same now.
Aaron’s on the move, and so are we.
Aaron’s on the move, and so are we.
Looks like this guy’s doing a little work on Grand today.
Looks like this guy’s doing a little work on Grand today.
Lots…
Lots…
… and lots of birds here on Grand. An over abundance of shad due to a warm winter seem to have everything feeding up.
… and lots of birds here on Grand. An over abundance of shad due to a warm winter seem to have everything feeding up.
A strong wind picking up.
A strong wind picking up.
We find Chris Dillow working his way down a rocky bank.
We find Chris Dillow working his way down a rocky bank.
One eye on the graph, one eye on the bank.
One eye on the graph, one eye on the bank.
Here’s your sign….
Here’s your sign….
… if you’re James Elam.
… if you’re James Elam.
We make a move and locate Greg Vinson.
We make a move and locate Greg Vinson.
Vinson has a limit in the boat and is culling.
Vinson has a limit in the boat and is culling.
In and out of docks for Vinson as well.
In and out of docks for Vinson as well.
Run and gun.
Run and gun.
Spectators abound on land and sea.
Spectators abound on land and sea.
Seems like we’re going in circles.
Seems like we’re going in circles.
More spectators on the prowl.
More spectators on the prowl.
Mark Davis on the move.
Mark Davis on the move.
Who do we have here?
Who do we have here?
We’ve stumbled back onto Aaron Martens.
We’ve stumbled back onto Aaron Martens.
Martens works along shallow rock.
Martens works along shallow rock.
Keeper number 4 for Aaron.
Keeper number 4 for Aaron.
Caught LIVE on Bassmaster.com.
Caught LIVE on Bassmaster.com.
As Aaron makes his way along…
As Aaron makes his way along…
... he’s faced with countless obstacles.
… he’s faced with countless obstacles.
These long cables hold the docks in place.
These long cables hold the docks in place.
If the bite comes, this could get interesting.
If the bite comes, this could get interesting.
Martens makes his way along the rocks…
Martens makes his way along the rocks…
… slowly crawling his crankbait along.
… slowly crawling his crankbait along.
As Bassmaster LIVE rolls on...
As Bassmaster LIVE rolls on…
… Martens laughs and jokes along, his typical happy self.
… Martens laughs and jokes along, his typical happy self.
About 30% of Aaron’s casts get hung up. With this kind of fishing, you’re not getting bit if you’re not getting hung up.
About 30% of Aaron’s casts get hung up. With this kind of fishing, you’re not getting bit if you’re not getting hung up.
As Aaron makes his way along…
As Aaron makes his way along…
… another strike.
… another strike.
This one may be a little better.
This one may be a little better.
Aaron prepares for the swing…
Aaron prepares for the swing…
… a chunker.
… a chunker.
Over the rail…
Over the rail…
... and in the boat.
… and in the boat.
Bassmaster LIVE is getting an eyeful today.
Bassmaster LIVE is getting an eyeful today.
The magic is happening.
The magic is happening.
And Bassmaster LIVE is happening.
And Bassmaster LIVE is happening.
Behold, the bass.
Behold, the bass.
Aaron shows this fish off to the crowd.
Aaron shows this fish off to the crowd.
And then explains in detail…
And then explains in detail…
... how the fish are biting the bait…
… how the fish are biting the bait…
... but not really getting the bait. Except for the last one. She ate it.
… but not really getting the bait. Except for the last one. She ate it.
Now that’s a great vantage point.
Now that’s a great vantage point.
Martens rolls on down the bank.
Martens rolls on down the bank.
Time to make a move.
Time to make a move.
Suit up for a cold run north.
Suit up for a cold run north.
Time to refuel as well.
Time to refuel as well.
A-a-ron is outta here.
A-a-ron is outta here.