Day 1 on Kentucky Lake

Steve Bowman and crew stalked the Elites on Day 1 of the Zippo BASSfest at Kentucky Lake presented by A.R.E. Truck Caps.

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Gary Clouse makes a cast early on Day 1 of the Zippo BASSfest at Kentucky Lake presented by A.R.E. Truck Caps. That's John Murray in the background. The two shared an area in the upper portion of the lake.
Gary Clouse makes a cast early on Day 1 of the Zippo BASSfest at Kentucky Lake presented by A.R.E. Truck Caps. That’s John Murray in the background. The two shared an area in the upper portion of the lake.
Unlike other areas of the lake, it was relatively uncrowded, even though Skeet Reese would boat by.
Unlike other areas of the lake, it was relatively uncrowded, even though Skeet Reese would boat by.
Paul Mueller makes a cast on a river ledge.
Paul Mueller makes a cast on a river ledge.
The rookie angler from Connecticut has fared well on the Tennessee River in the past. But was struggling early.
The rookie angler from Connecticut has fared well on the Tennessee River in the past. But was struggling early.
Across the river was Jonathon VanDam.
Across the river was Jonathon VanDam.
And downriver was Cliff Prince fishing pilings on the river channel.
And downriver was Cliff Prince fishing pilings on the river channel.
Prince was struggling a bit too.
Prince was struggling a bit too.
Forcing him to scratch his head a bit.
Forcing him to scratch his head a bit.
He did catch one.
He did catch one.
But it was small.
But it was small.
And it turned out to be a catfish.
And it turned out to be a catfish.
Scott Rook was cranking a river ledge as well.
Scott Rook was cranking a river ledge as well.
Working hard,
Working hard,
While constantly flinging,
While constantly flinging,
And working the bait.
And working the bait.
Edwin Evers was faring much better.
Edwin Evers was faring much better.
He hooks up with a nice keeper.
He hooks up with a nice keeper.
That provides some aerial acrobatics in front of the boat.
That provides some aerial acrobatics in front of the boat.
And some more to the side of the boat.
And some more to the side of the boat.
Never giving up.
Never giving up.
While it flew about,
While it flew about,
Evers got in a position to lip the fish.
Evers got in a position to lip the fish.
And came close.
And came close.
But the fish wouldn't give in.
But the fish wouldn’t give in.
Jumping a couple times more
Jumping a couple times more
Before finally getting to Evers' hand.
Before finally getting to Evers’ hand.
The chunky keeper though wouldn't help and would go back in the river.
The chunky keeper though wouldn’t help and would go back in the river.
Jesse Tacoronte would be working equally as hard, but without the same result.
Jesse Tacoronte would be working equally as hard, but without the same result.
And Gary Clouse would capture a hefty keeper.
And Gary Clouse would capture a hefty keeper.
Brandon Lester started the day hot.
Brandon Lester started the day hot.
Catching more than 22 pounds and spending the rest of the day,
Catching more than 22 pounds and spending the rest of the day,
Looking for a big fish while practicing for Day 2.
Looking for a big fish while practicing for Day 2.
Paul Elias would be working a gravel bar.
Paul Elias would be working a gravel bar.
And nearby, Timmy Horton would be cranking a ledge.
And nearby, Timmy Horton would be cranking a ledge.
And he would soon hook up.
And he would soon hook up.
The fish was decent enough to send him to the driver's seat.
The fish was decent enough to send him to the driver’s seat.
And in a position to lip the fish.
And in a position to lip the fish.
Horton would almost completely disappear while trying to get a hand on the fish.
Horton would almost completely disappear while trying to get a hand on the fish.
And emerge with a fish that wouldn't help his cause.
And emerge with a fish that wouldn’t help his cause.
He would quickly get back to work.
He would quickly get back to work.
Across the river, Ott Defoe would be casting and biding his time. He already had leading stringer and was simply waiting for the day to end.
Across the river, Ott Defoe would be casting and biding his time. He already had leading stringer and was simply waiting for the day to end.
Brandon Lester, though, would keep working.
Brandon Lester, though, would keep working.
Moving around from ledge to ledge and looking for a big bite.
Moving around from ledge to ledge and looking for a big bite.
The same was true for Jonathon VanDam, who finished the day in 29th place with 20-1.
The same was true for Jonathon VanDam, who finished the day in 29th place with 20-1.