Classic: Day 1 weigh-in

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Emcee Dave Mercer pumps up the crowd as the Day 1 weigh-in of the 2017 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods begins.
Photo: Darren Jacobson - Emcee Dave Mercer pumps up the crowd as the Day 1 weigh-in of the 2017 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods begins.
Davy Hite, former Classic champ and now Bassmaster LIVE analyst, winds up to throw out the first pitch at Minute Maid Park, home of Major League Baseball’s Houston Astros and a spectacular venue for the Classic weigh-in.
Photo: Darren Jacobson - Davy Hite, former Classic champ and now Bassmaster LIVE analyst, winds up to throw out the first pitch at Minute Maid Park, home of Major League Baseball’s Houston Astros and a spectacular venue for the Classic weigh-in.
Hite’s first first pitch to fellow Classic champ Chris Lane was, as Bob Uecker would say, “just a bit outside.” Lane was able to snag Hite’s second first pitch ... barely.
Photo: Darren Jacobson - Hite’s first first pitch to fellow Classic champ Chris Lane was, as Bob Uecker would say, “just a bit outside.” Lane was able to snag Hite’s second first pitch ... barely.
Tournament director Trip Weldon comes out to start the weighing of fish from Lake Conroe.
Photo: Darren Jacobson - Tournament director Trip Weldon comes out to start the weighing of fish from Lake Conroe.
Wil Hardy was the first angler to weigh, and with one fish going 2 pounds, 8 ounces, he briefly led the Bassmaster Classic.
Photo: Darren Jacobson - Wil Hardy was the first angler to weigh, and with one fish going 2 pounds, 8 ounces, he briefly led the Bassmaster Classic.
Opens winner Skylar Hamilton came in with two fishing going 5-2.
Photo: Darren Jacobson - Opens winner Skylar Hamilton came in with two fishing going 5-2.
Gerald Swindle, down and to the left of a huge image of G Man during his second Toyota Angler of the Year season in 2016, weighed only one fish on Day 1.
Photo: Darren Jacobson - Gerald Swindle, down and to the left of a huge image of G Man during his second Toyota Angler of the Year season in 2016, weighed only one fish on Day 1.
Randall Tharp brought in a nice bag of 16-0 to stand 19th.
Photo: Darren Jacobson - Randall Tharp brought in a nice bag of 16-0 to stand 19th.
Matt Herren had one of the mid-size bass in his bag of 19-7, which should have him smiling.
Photo: Darren Jacobson - Matt Herren had one of the mid-size bass in his bag of 19-7, which should have him smiling.
Herren had more than one and did flash a big smile. He is in 10th place.
Photo: Darren Jacobson - Herren had more than one and did flash a big smile. He is in 10th place.
Alton Jones Jr., becoming part of the fifth father/son comb to fish in the same Classic, had 12-13.
Photo: Darren Jacobson - Alton Jones Jr., becoming part of the fifth father/son comb to fish in the same Classic, had 12-13.
Chris Zaldain brought in a quality fish for which Conroe is known.
Photo: Darren Jacobson - Chris Zaldain brought in a quality fish for which Conroe is known.
Zaldain weighed in a bag of 15-15 and is 20th.
Photo: Darren Jacobson - Zaldain weighed in a bag of 15-15 and is 20th.
Cliff Crochet brought in something to get excited about.
Photo: Darren Jacobson - Cliff Crochet brought in something to get excited about.
The Cajun Baby let out a couple hollers for this lunker, which bolstered a bag of 21-8.
Photo: Darren Jacobson - The Cajun Baby let out a couple hollers for this lunker, which bolstered a bag of 21-8.
This put Crochet as the early leader in the clubhouse, and he ended up third.
Photo: Darren Jacobson - This put Crochet as the early leader in the clubhouse, and he ended up third.
Jason Williamson then put in a bid for Berkley Big Bass with this 6-12 in his 17-1 bag.
Photo: Darren Jacobson - Jason Williamson then put in a bid for Berkley Big Bass with this 6-12 in his 17-1 bag.
Dave Lefebre had one hawg to show off.
Photo: Darren Jacobson - Dave Lefebre had one hawg to show off.
And the rest of Lefebre’s bag wasn’t bad either as he totaled 20-6, good for sixth.
Photo: Darren Jacobson - And the rest of Lefebre’s bag wasn’t bad either as he totaled 20-6, good for sixth.
Jesse Wiggins, who won an Open this year and is already qualified for the 2018 Classic, started slowly but salvaged the day with four fish going 10-8.
Photo: Darren Jacobson - Jesse Wiggins, who won an Open this year and is already qualified for the 2018 Classic, started slowly but salvaged the day with four fish going 10-8.
B.A.S.S. Nation angler Darrell Ocamica managed three fish for 9-3.
Photo: Darren Jacobson - B.A.S.S. Nation angler Darrell Ocamica managed three fish for 9-3.
Brett Hite also weighed in three fish, totaling 8-11.
Photo: Darren Jacobson - Brett Hite also weighed in three fish, totaling 8-11.
Todd Faircloth had a small limit going 11-0.
Photo: Darren Jacobson - Todd Faircloth had a small limit going 11-0.
Takahiro Omori, one of the five Texans fishing a home-state Classic, only managed two fish for 6-3.
Photo: Darren Jacobson - Takahiro Omori, one of the five Texans fishing a home-state Classic, only managed two fish for 6-3.
Jared Lintner weighed in a bag of 14-10 and is 23rd.
Photo: Darren Jacobson - Jared Lintner weighed in a bag of 14-10 and is 23rd.
Charlie Hartley, fishing his second Classic after winning an Open last year, brought in two fish for 7-1.
Photo: Darren Jacobson - Charlie Hartley, fishing his second Classic after winning an Open last year, brought in two fish for 7-1.
Timothy Klinger, a B.A.S.S. Nation qualifier, had four fish for 10-6.
Photo: Darren Jacobson - Timothy Klinger, a B.A.S.S. Nation qualifier, had four fish for 10-6.
John Garrett, the college qualifier from Bethel University, caught three fish for 7-8.
Photo: Darren Jacobson - John Garrett, the college qualifier from Bethel University, caught three fish for 7-8.
Former Classic champ Casey Ashley stands in 40th place with 7-11.
Photo: Darren Jacobson - Former Classic champ Casey Ashley stands in 40th place with 7-11.
Jacob Powroznik had 14-9 to stand in the top 25.
Photo: Darren Jacobson - Jacob Powroznik had 14-9 to stand in the top 25.
Ott DeFoe weighed in 13-13, good for 25th.
Photo: Darren Jacobson - Ott DeFoe weighed in 13-13, good for 25th.
Clifford Pirch was among the seven who eclipsed 20 pounds. He is in fifth place with 20-11.
Photo: Darren Jacobson - Clifford Pirch was among the seven who eclipsed 20 pounds. He is in fifth place with 20-11.
Skeet Reese climbed late to put himself in contention with 15-13 for 21st.
Photo: Darren Jacobson - Skeet Reese climbed late to put himself in contention with 15-13 for 21st.
Brandon Palaniuk didn’t have the first day he envisioned, weighing only two fish for 4-10.
Photo: Darren Jacobson - Brandon Palaniuk didn’t have the first day he envisioned, weighing only two fish for 4-10.
Kevin VanDam stands in 12th place after Day 1 with 18-6.
Photo: Darren Jacobson - Kevin VanDam stands in 12th place after Day 1 with 18-6.
Ish Monroe brought several healthy fish and is 11th with 19-4.
Photo: Darren Jacobson - Ish Monroe brought several healthy fish and is 11th with 19-4.
Brent Ehrler shows off his big bass to the thrill of the crowd at Minute Maid Park.
Photo: Darren Jacobson - Brent Ehrler shows off his big bass to the thrill of the crowd at Minute Maid Park.
Ehrler reacts after taking the lead with 23-3.
Photo: Darren Jacobson - Ehrler reacts after taking the lead with 23-3.
The Berkley Big Bass so far 1 is on the left, a 9-12 that dwarfed most of the other big fish caught on Day 1.
Photo: Darren Jacobson - The Berkley Big Bass so far 1 is on the left, a 9-12 that dwarfed most of the other big fish caught on Day 1.
Dean Rojas, riding up to the stage on the ballfield’s warning track, tied for 47th with 4-10.
Photo: Darren Jacobson - Dean Rojas, riding up to the stage on the ballfield’s warning track, tied for 47th with 4-10.
James Elam had a couple of hogs, putting him seventh with 20-1 with only four fish.
Photo: Darren Jacobson - James Elam had a couple of hogs, putting him seventh with 20-1 with only four fish.
Keith Combs, the hometown favorite, had a disappointing day.
Photo: Darren Jacobson - Keith Combs, the hometown favorite, had a disappointing day.
Combs stands tied for 40th after only bringing in three fish for 7-11.
Photo: Darren Jacobson - Combs stands tied for 40th after only bringing in three fish for 7-11.
Defending Classic champ Edwin Evers is 13th with 18-3.
Photo: Darren Jacobson - Defending Classic champ Edwin Evers is 13th with 18-3.
Boyd Duckett weighed in 12-14, good for 28th.
Photo: Darren Jacobson - Boyd Duckett weighed in 12-14, good for 28th.
Jordan Lee stands 37th with three fish for 8-6.
Photo: Darren Jacobson - Jordan Lee stands 37th with three fish for 8-6.
Hank Cherry seems to say he doesn’t really know what happened as he had 7-15 for 39th.
Photo: Darren Jacobson - Hank Cherry seems to say he doesn’t really know what happened as he had 7-15 for 39th.
Jason Christie, who vied for the title last year, is 22nd with 15-3.
Photo: Darren Jacobson - Jason Christie, who vied for the title last year, is 22nd with 15-3.
Bill Lowen was one shy of a limit, totaling 12-3 to stand in 30th.
Photo: Darren Jacobson - Bill Lowen was one shy of a limit, totaling 12-3 to stand in 30th.
Andy Montgomery had a big fish early but didn’t fill his limit, totaling only 8-3.
Photo: Darren Jacobson - Andy Montgomery had a big fish early but didn’t fill his limit, totaling only 8-3.
Justin Lucas shows off his big fish.
Photo: Darren Jacobson - Justin Lucas shows off his big fish.
Lucas had a 17-12 bag to stand 14th.
Photo: Darren Jacobson - Lucas had a 17-12 bag to stand 14th.
Bobby Lane weighed in 16-18 and is in 18th.
Photo: Darren Jacobson - Bobby Lane weighed in 16-18 and is in 18th.
Michael Iaconelli had a big start and pretty good finish to weigh the fourth-best total of the day, 21-1.
Photo: Darren Jacobson - Michael Iaconelli had a big start and pretty good finish to weigh the fourth-best total of the day, 21-1.
Opens winner Wesley Strader stands ninth with 19-9.
Photo: Darren Jacobson - Opens winner Wesley Strader stands ninth with 19-9.
Greg Hackney managed 13-6 on Day 1, good for 26th.
Photo: Darren Jacobson - Greg Hackney managed 13-6 on Day 1, good for 26th.
Bradley Roy, fishing his first Classic, had the second biggest bag at 22-11.
Photo: Darren Jacobson - Bradley Roy, fishing his first Classic, had the second biggest bag at 22-11.
Ryan Lavigne, who won the B.A.S.S. Nation championship on Lake Conroe, found a big one late to total 16-10 and climb to 17th.
Photo: Darren Jacobson - Ryan Lavigne, who won the B.A.S.S. Nation championship on Lake Conroe, found a big one late to total 16-10 and climb to 17th.
Fishing his first Classic after a Rookie of the Year season on the Elite Series, Drew Benton started with 13 pounds even and in 27th.
Photo: Darren Jacobson - Fishing his first Classic after a Rookie of the Year season on the Elite Series, Drew Benton started with 13 pounds even and in 27th.
Steve Kennedy starts off his eighth Classic in 15th after catching 17-7.
Photo: Darren Jacobson - Steve Kennedy starts off his eighth Classic in 15th after catching 17-7.
Alton Jones Sr. had 19-13 on Day 1, good for eighth place.
Photo: Darren Jacobson - Alton Jones Sr. had 19-13 on Day 1, good for eighth place.