Day 1 on Guntersville V

Angler/Photographer Mark Hicks brings us more Classic Day 1 shots from Guntersville.

Skeet Reese and other big hitters on the Bassmaster Elite Series tour were covered up with writers and photographers the moment they pulled up to the dock in the morning.
Skeet Reese and other big hitters on the Bassmaster Elite Series tour were covered up with writers and photographers the moment they pulled up to the dock in the morning.
Chris Zaldain had only two rods on his deck prior to takeoff. Both had a Strike King Red Eye Shad knotted to the line.
Chris Zaldain had only two rods on his deck prior to takeoff. Both had a Strike King Red Eye Shad knotted to the line.
Minutes before take-off, Ott DeFoe calmly munched a Pop Tart. Just another day at the office.
Minutes before take-off, Ott DeFoe calmly munched a Pop Tart. Just another day at the office.
Boat driver Phil Williams drew the short straw and had to spend the day with writer/photographer/bass fan Mark Hicks.
Boat driver Phil Williams drew the short straw and had to spend the day with writer/photographer/bass fan Mark Hicks.
Cliff Pirch slings a cast over his first spot after takeoff. The water temperature there was only 43 degrees.
Cliff Pirch slings a cast over his first spot after takeoff. The water temperature there was only 43 degrees.
Not far from Pirch, Casey Ashley set up shop.
Not far from Pirch, Casey Ashley set up shop.
Pirch and Ashley were within sight of each other when Pirch caught this keeper.
Pirch and Ashley were within sight of each other when Pirch caught this keeper.
Ashley answered with a keeper of his own.
Ashley answered with a keeper of his own.
Ashley soon had another bass that was big enough to keep.
Ashley soon had another bass that was big enough to keep.
Since Prince and Ashley were fishing in opposite directions, it wasn’t long before their paths crossed.
Since Prince and Ashley were fishing in opposite directions, it wasn’t long before their paths crossed.
Things could have gotten testy at this point, but both anglers kept their cool.
Things could have gotten testy at this point, but both anglers kept their cool.
Awhile later, their paths crossed again.
Awhile later, their paths crossed again.
Ashley seemed to be getting the better of this tit-for-tat battle.
Ashley seemed to be getting the better of this tit-for-tat battle.
John Crews fishes parallel to a riprap bank as a fan takes in the action.
John Crews fishes parallel to a riprap bank as a fan takes in the action.
This angler carefully makes his way over jagged riprap to the water’s edge.
This angler carefully makes his way over jagged riprap to the water’s edge.
John Crews is a superb bass fisherman, but how do you compete with a guy that can, apparently, walk on water?
John Crews is a superb bass fisherman, but how do you compete with a guy that can, apparently, walk on water?
Crews tries the bridge pilings before heading for greener pastures.
Crews tries the bridge pilings before heading for greener pastures.
There were 15 boats around Michael Iaconelli as he worked submerged grass near deep water.
There were 15 boats around Michael Iaconelli as he worked submerged grass near deep water.
A stiff morning wind made boat control a little more challenging for Iaconelli.
A stiff morning wind made boat control a little more challenging for Iaconelli.
Gerald Swindle is another pro that keyed on riprap. A bass boat on a trailer flies by on a busy highway overhead.
Gerald Swindle is another pro that keyed on riprap. A bass boat on a trailer flies by on a busy highway overhead.
Old Glory gives an indication of the wind’s strength.
Old Glory gives an indication of the wind’s strength.
After striking out on the riprap, Swindle heads elsewhere.
After striking out on the riprap, Swindle heads elsewhere.
Swindle is known for moving fast and covering water. This is the view most people get of him.
Swindle is known for moving fast and covering water. This is the view most people get of him.
A respectful fan watches pro Stephen Browning from a distance.
A respectful fan watches pro Stephen Browning from a distance.
This is called the catbird seat.
This is called the catbird seat.
Stephen Browning fishes a sunny bank protected from the wind.
Stephen Browning fishes a sunny bank protected from the wind.
Greg Vinson had three bass by midday. His marshal can’t wait for number four.
Greg Vinson had three bass by midday. His marshal can’t wait for number four.
Vinson fires a cast over a shallow flat that has sparse submerged grass on the bottom.
Vinson fires a cast over a shallow flat that has sparse submerged grass on the bottom.
In the afternoon, Casey Ashley was still fishing the same area in which he started. By this time he had a heavy limit of largemouths.
In the afternoon, Casey Ashley was still fishing the same area in which he started. By this time he had a heavy limit of largemouths.
Ashley sets the hook on a bass late in the day.
Ashley sets the hook on a bass late in the day.
This keeper was tossed back.
This keeper was tossed back.
Ashley mixed it up to keep the bass honest, fishing flats, submerged grass, wood cover and ...
Ashley mixed it up to keep the bass honest, fishing flats, submerged grass, wood cover and …
... docks.
… docks.
With only an hour of fishing time left, Coby Carden culls.
With only an hour of fishing time left, Coby Carden culls.
This is the bass that Carden gave a get-out-of-jail card.
This is the bass that Carden gave a get-out-of-jail card.
Carden bounced around the final hour, looking for another kicker. He fished riprap ...
Carden bounced around the final hour, looking for another kicker. He fished riprap …
... submerged humps ...
… submerged humps …
... and rock piles.
… and rock piles.
Shore birds like this blue herring kept the pros company.
Shore birds like this blue herring kept the pros company.
Brandon Palaniuk makes a few last casts near the check-in point.
Brandon Palaniuk makes a few last casts near the check-in point.
Jason Christie makes a few last second casts to riprap near the check-in point. Other pros did the same.
Jason Christie makes a few last second casts to riprap near the check-in point. Other pros did the same.