College: Day 1 at the dam

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The much anticipated Day 1 of the 2018 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Southern Tour Event presented by Bass Pro Shops on Pickwick Lake kicked off Thursday and 265 teams headed out from McFarland Park.
The much anticipated Day 1 of the 2018 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Southern Tour Event presented by Bass Pro Shops on Pickwick Lake kicked off Thursday and 265 teams headed out from McFarland Park.
Rumbles from the meeting hinted at the fact that the base of the Wilson Dam would be a popular area because of the water current coming from the dam.
Rumbles from the meeting hinted at the fact that the base of the Wilson Dam would be a popular area because of the water current coming from the dam.
So I headed there and found just what I expected. Roughly 50 or so teams scattered around the region, but some fished in close proximity.
So I headed there and found just what I expected. Roughly 50 or so teams scattered around the region, but some fished in close proximity.
The morning wasn't as fruitful as most had hoped so many teams had just 1 or 2 keepers after two hours of fishing.
The morning wasn’t as fruitful as most had hoped so many teams had just 1 or 2 keepers after two hours of fishing.
Teams opted for spinning rods as well as bait casters and had numerous bait styles rigged up for the current.
Teams opted for spinning rods as well as bait casters and had numerous bait styles rigged up for the current.
Some teams fished on the current seams and others were in the thick of the current as it swooped through the area.
Some teams fished on the current seams and others were in the thick of the current as it swooped through the area.
Along with anglers, there were plenty of birds of varying species waiting for an easy meal as well.
Along with anglers, there were plenty of birds of varying species waiting for an easy meal as well.
Every competitor fishing above the bridge was required to wear a life jacket while fishing for safety purposes.
Every competitor fishing above the bridge was required to wear a life jacket while fishing for safety purposes.
Like I said, along with anglers there were plenty of other types of fishermen waiting nearby.
Like I said, along with anglers there were plenty of other types of fishermen waiting nearby.
Briana Tucker (right) flings out a cast for Bryan College.
Briana Tucker (right) flings out a cast for Bryan College.
Two North Alabama teams fished side-by-side and one of them hooked up.
Two North Alabama teams fished side-by-side and one of them hooked up.
They fought it as their teammates looked on.
They fought it as their teammates looked on.
It was a solid fish for them and it was my first fish sighting of the day.
It was a solid fish for them and it was my first fish sighting of the day.
There were numerous clumps of boats. One group by the base of the dam and one prominent one just behind them a ways.
There were numerous clumps of boats. One group by the base of the dam and one prominent one just behind them a ways.
Houston Calvert makes a cast.
Houston Calvert makes a cast.
I made my way to the second group of boats and found a team from Lamar University culling after both partners hooked up and double on catches.
I made my way to the second group of boats and found a team from Lamar University culling after both partners hooked up and double on catches.
They were throwing back some decent fish to add these.
They were throwing back some decent fish to add these.
JP Kimbrough tries his luck from the next boat over.
JP Kimbrough tries his luck from the next boat over.
Lamar hooked up again...
Lamar hooked up again…
But this time it was a drum.
But this time it was a drum.
John Garrett and Brian Pahl of Bethel University were also in this group.
John Garrett and Brian Pahl of Bethel University were also in this group.
Josh Butts and Reid Conner of Wallace State look on as Garrett hooks up.
Josh Butts and Reid Conner of Wallace State look on as Garrett hooks up.
Garrett and Paul had 3 fish at this point in the morning and hoped to land this fish for their 4th keeper.
Garrett and Paul had 3 fish at this point in the morning and hoped to land this fish for their 4th keeper.
Garrett and Pahl realize its a big one when it jumps at the boat.
Garrett and Pahl realize its a big one when it jumps at the boat.
Garrett puts some pressure and lifts up on the fish.
Garrett puts some pressure and lifts up on the fish.
Pahl swoops in and nets the big smallmouth.
Pahl swoops in and nets the big smallmouth.
That is a giant!
That is a giant!
They celebrate their 4th keeper!
They celebrate their 4th keeper!
The giant smallmouth was proclaimed at least 6 pounds by Garrett.
The giant smallmouth was proclaimed at least 6 pounds by Garrett.
Ryan Antee hooks up right after...
Ryan Antee hooks up right after…
But it wasn't as big.
But it wasn’t as big.
Teams began hooking up around that area as a feeding window obviously started.
Teams began hooking up around that area as a feeding window obviously started.
Very solid smallmouth goes into the livewell.
Very solid smallmouth goes into the livewell.
Garrett Enders of Bethel is fishing alone this week, but is around the area too.
Garrett Enders of Bethel is fishing alone this week, but is around the area too.
John Garrett hooks up again.
John Garrett hooks up again.
They make quick work of this fish.
They make quick work of this fish.
And it goes in the box.
And it goes in the box.
It's a good one as well! That's 5 for the Bethel duo.
It’s a good one as well! That’s 5 for the Bethel duo.
The dam was crowded, but not enough to make anglers angry. They all fished around each other and made it work.
The dam was crowded, but not enough to make anglers angry. They all fished around each other and made it work.
I found Johnny Ledet and Logan Laprarie of Northwestern State fishing in the region of the dam but farther away and alone.
I found Johnny Ledet and Logan Laprarie of Northwestern State fishing in the region of the dam but farther away and alone.
They had two fish so far but both were of the quality variety.
They had two fish so far but both were of the quality variety.