Classic: Day 1 on the water

See the Classic anglers battle it out on a chilly Lake Hartwell Day 1 of the 2015 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro.

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Reigning Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year Greg Hackney blasts off on Day 1 of the Geico Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro. It was a chilly boat ride for the contenders and spectators on Lake Hartwell, but that didn’t slow the anglers’ pace at take off.
Reigning Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year Greg Hackney blasts off on Day 1 of the Geico Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro. It was a chilly boat ride for the contenders and spectators on Lake Hartwell, but that didn’t slow the anglers’ pace at take off.
Defending Bassmaster Classic champion Randy Howell takes off from Green Pond Landing in Anderson, S.C. Takeoff was delayed about two hours because of subfreezing temperatures in South Carolina’s Upcountry.
Defending Bassmaster Classic champion Randy Howell takes off from Green Pond Landing in Anderson, S.C. Takeoff was delayed about two hours because of subfreezing temperatures in South Carolina’s Upcountry.
David Walker takes off on Day 1.
David Walker takes off on Day 1.
Keith Combs was among the anglers who were ready to hit the water after a weather delay on Day 1.
Keith Combs was among the anglers who were ready to hit the water after a weather delay on Day 1.
Skeet Reese, the 2009 Classic champion, begins what would turn out to be a great day on Lake Hartwell.
Skeet Reese, the 2009 Classic champion, begins what would turn out to be a great day on Lake Hartwell.
Local favorite Casey Ashley opened the Classic by singing the Star-Spangled Banner, and then went fishing with a spectator armada constantly on his trail.
Local favorite Casey Ashley opened the Classic by singing the Star-Spangled Banner, and then went fishing with a spectator armada constantly on his trail.
Andy Montgomery is watched by a boat with spectators. Spectator traffic was surprisingly heavy given Friday’s chilly weather.
Andy Montgomery is watched by a boat with spectators. Spectator traffic was surprisingly heavy given Friday’s chilly weather.
Clifford Pirch maneuvers through the spectator boats at takeoff.
Clifford Pirch maneuvers through the spectator boats at takeoff.
Casey Ashley hooks up with an early fish on Day 1.
Casey Ashley hooks up with an early fish on Day 1.
Casey Ashley leans over to take a look at one of his first fish of the day.
Casey Ashley leans over to take a look at one of his first fish of the day.
It’s a solid keeper for Casey Ashley.
It’s a solid keeper for Casey Ashley.
That’s a fish that would make any angler happy when $300,000 is on the line.
That’s a fish that would make any angler happy when $300,000 is on the line.
Ashley shows off the fish to ESPN cameraman Rick Mason.
Ashley shows off the fish to ESPN cameraman Rick Mason.
He had to break his line after hanging up on an unseen obstruction.
He had to break his line after hanging up on an unseen obstruction.
It’s back to fishing for Ashley.
It’s back to fishing for Ashley.
Staying on a sweet spot requires working the trolling motor and keeping an eye on your electronics.
Staying on a sweet spot requires working the trolling motor and keeping an eye on your electronics.
Ott DeFoe was working on the docks early on Day 1.
Ott DeFoe was working on the docks early on Day 1.
You never know which angle will trigger a bite.
You never know which angle will trigger a bite.
It’s time for a move for Ott DeFoe.
It’s time for a move for Ott DeFoe.
And away he goes.
And away he goes.
But not before a friendly wave to the camera.
But not before a friendly wave to the camera.
Jacob Wheeler was keeping an eye on the graph. Electronics will play a big role in a cold weather tournament.
Jacob Wheeler was keeping an eye on the graph. Electronics will play a big role in a cold weather tournament.
Wheeler looks like he’s bewildered by something in the distance.
Wheeler looks like he’s bewildered by something in the distance.
He drives the hook into a fish.
He drives the hook into a fish.
It looks like it could be a good one.
It looks like it could be a good one.
We’ll never know, because this fish shook loose before Wheeler could get his hands on it.
We’ll never know, because this fish shook loose before Wheeler could get his hands on it.
It hurts worse when you lose a fish in the Classic.
It hurts worse when you lose a fish in the Classic.
That’s quite a bend in Ott DeFoe’s rod.
That’s quite a bend in Ott DeFoe’s rod.
DeFoe works the fish out of the depths.
DeFoe works the fish out of the depths.
There’s the fish, but it’s the wrong species.
There’s the fish, but it’s the wrong species.
There’s a big mouth on that fish, but it’s not a largemouth.
There’s a big mouth on that fish, but it’s not a largemouth.
That’s a chunky striped bass, but it won’t count at the weigh-in.
That’s a chunky striped bass, but it won’t count at the weigh-in.
Jason Christie works around a dock on Day 1.
Jason Christie works around a dock on Day 1.
Christie was working his bait slowly. When water temperatures are cold, a slow presentation is often crucial to success.
Christie was working his bait slowly. When water temperatures are cold, a slow presentation is often crucial to success.
He decides it’s time to try a new area.
He decides it’s time to try a new area.