Day 1 on Lake Conroe

Italian national champion Luca Salvato is fishing with Lee Wubbles Jr., the non-boater champion from Nebraska on Day 1 of the Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation Championship presented by Magellan Outdoors.
Italian national champion Luca Salvato is fishing with Lee Wubbles Jr., the non-boater champion from Nebraska on Day 1 of the Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation Championship presented by Magellan Outdoors.
Salvato already has a keeper in the livewell at 9 a.m. when he catches a non-keeper. There will be many. The minimum size limit for the tournament is 16 inches.
Salvato already has a keeper in the livewell at 9 a.m. when he catches a non-keeper. There will be many. The minimum size limit for the tournament is 16 inches.
Minutes later Wubbles hooks up with the real thing, a legitimate keeper.
Minutes later Wubbles hooks up with the real thing, a legitimate keeper.
The fish comes aboard and he’s up by one.
The fish comes aboard and he’s up by one.
Boaters and non-boaters can keep 5 bass each day. Non-boaters can only keep three bass in regional championships.
Boaters and non-boaters can keep 5 bass each day. Non-boaters can only keep three bass in regional championships.
Not far away is Timothy Klinger, the Nevada boater champion, and his partner Kevin Noel of Connecticut.
Not far away is Timothy Klinger, the Nevada boater champion, and his partner Kevin Noel of Connecticut.
Not far away from the anglers is lots of wildlife. There is a lot of that in the upper reaches of Conroe, which remains largely undeveloped because the land is part of a national forest.
Not far away from the anglers is lots of wildlife. There is a lot of that in the upper reaches of Conroe, which remains largely undeveloped because the land is part of a national forest.
Working close to the cover is the order of business for Klinger and Noel.
Working close to the cover is the order of business for Klinger and Noel.
Their area also is open to waterfowl hunting and the season is open.
Their area also is open to waterfowl hunting and the season is open.
Nate Caldwell, the boater champion from Colorado, is spending Day 1 with Jake Weaver of Montana. Both anglers qualified for the championship from the Western Regional held on Lake Mead.
Nate Caldwell, the boater champion from Colorado, is spending Day 1 with Jake Weaver of Montana. Both anglers qualified for the championship from the Western Regional held on Lake Mead.
Weaver connects with a bass that will require measuring to the 16-inch minimum.
Weaver connects with a bass that will require measuring to the 16-inch minimum.
The bass falls short of the cut and goes back into Lake Conroe.
The bass falls short of the cut and goes back into Lake Conroe.
Weaver jokingly says the fish is probably less than a year old. In Colorado he says the same bass might be 2 years old. “They grow a lot faster here,” he said.
Weaver jokingly says the fish is probably less than a year old. In Colorado he says the same bass might be 2 years old. “They grow a lot faster here,” he said.
Weaver gets back to business, working a flooded shoreline in the upper reaches of the lake.
Weaver gets back to business, working a flooded shoreline in the upper reaches of the lake.
Now the joke is on him. Weaver lands another small bass that will fall way outside the cut.
Now the joke is on him. Weaver lands another small bass that will fall way outside the cut.
Mitch Cone, the boater champion from Australia, and non-boater Daniel Elsner of Wisconsin leave an offshore flat after the spot showed little promise.
Mitch Cone, the boater champion from Australia, and non-boater Daniel Elsner of Wisconsin leave an offshore flat after the spot showed little promise.
Brian Brooks, the New Jersey conservation director, is fishing with non-boater Michael Lebsack of Minnesota.
Brian Brooks, the New Jersey conservation director, is fishing with non-boater Michael Lebsack of Minnesota.
Brooks is having a good day thus far and is working on filling out his 5-bass limit.
Brooks is having a good day thus far and is working on filling out his 5-bass limit.
By mid-morning this is a common sight. Anglers begin making midday moves as the wind begins picking up.
By mid-morning this is a common sight. Anglers begin making midday moves as the wind begins picking up.
Bubba O’Neil of Wyoming is the boater fishing with Michael Lebsack of Minnesota.
Bubba O’Neil of Wyoming is the boater fishing with Michael Lebsack of Minnesota.
The anglers move to a point for better action near a marina. Fishing that is Darrell Ocamica of Idaho with non-boater partner Larry Will of Virginia.
The anglers move to a point for better action near a marina. Fishing that is Darrell Ocamica of Idaho with non-boater partner Larry Will of Virginia.
A marina and its boat slips are the lure targets for Ocamica and Will.
A marina and its boat slips are the lure targets for Ocamica and Will.
Greg Vance of Iowa is seeking his second consecutive trip to the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro. He fished the 2016 Classic after qualifying through the Northern regional.
Greg Vance of Iowa is seeking his second consecutive trip to the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro. He fished the 2016 Classic after qualifying through the Northern regional.
Vance has a “you’ve got to be kidding me” moment as a tiny bass takes his bait.
Vance has a “you’ve got to be kidding me” moment as a tiny bass takes his bait.
Then it’s back to business and serious fishing.
Then it’s back to business and serious fishing.
Many anglers are seeking refuge from the gusty winds out on the main lake.
Many anglers are seeking refuge from the gusty winds out on the main lake.
Joe Burchill of Massachusetts and Justin Barnes of Alabama give it a try. Barnes recently fished the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Championship.
Joe Burchill of Massachusetts and Justin Barnes of Alabama give it a try. Barnes recently fished the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Championship.