Day 1 on Winyah II

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There was more than enough wind for sailing on Day 1 of the HUK Performance Fishing Bassmaster Elite at Winyah Bay presented by GoRVing.
There was more than enough wind for sailing on Day 1 of the HUK Performance Fishing Bassmaster Elite at Winyah Bay presented by GoRVing.
This is the kind of place you could probably take a break from fishing and find some raw oysters to eat for lunch.
This is the kind of place you could probably take a break from fishing and find some raw oysters to eat for lunch.
We found Gary Klein doing what has helped make him one of the most successful tournament fishermen in history…
We found Gary Klein doing what has helped make him one of the most successful tournament fishermen in history…
…flipping.
…flipping.
Klein would methodically pick apart every piece of shoreline cover…
Klein would methodically pick apart every piece of shoreline cover…
…then make short moves and pick up the flipping stick again.
…then make short moves and pick up the flipping stick again.
Despite the directions on the sign, this photographer kept his shirt on.
Despite the directions on the sign, this photographer kept his shirt on.
Judging from the size of this boat, we doubt the owner accurately named this vessel.
Judging from the size of this boat, we doubt the owner accurately named this vessel.
Low tide was what most anglers stated they were looking forward to today. When the tide finally began to fall, anglers begin to crowd into places where current was being pulled.
Low tide was what most anglers stated they were looking forward to today. When the tide finally began to fall, anglers begin to crowd into places where current was being pulled.
Brandon Lester was fishing in an area near…
Brandon Lester was fishing in an area near…
…James Niggemeyer.
…James Niggemeyer.
Niggemeyer and his Day 1 Marshal were tucked back in the bushes.
Niggemeyer and his Day 1 Marshal were tucked back in the bushes.
Micah Frazier goes in search of water he wouldn’t have to share with other competitors.
Micah Frazier goes in search of water he wouldn’t have to share with other competitors.
When he reached a no wake zone…
When he reached a no wake zone…
He sat down…
He sat down…
…and tried to find some fish during the last hour of the day.
…and tried to find some fish during the last hour of the day.
With only minutes left before he would have to leave for the weigh-in, we found Mike McClelland changing baits in the back of a canal.
With only minutes left before he would have to leave for the weigh-in, we found Mike McClelland changing baits in the back of a canal.
McClelland only had three fish in the livewell…
McClelland only had three fish in the livewell…
...this one makes it four.
…this one makes it four.
McClelland said his entire morning had been a frustrating grind.
McClelland said his entire morning had been a frustrating grind.
But he was making it happen with just minutes to go…
But he was making it happen with just minutes to go…
…and with this fish…
…and with this fish…
…he would take no chances and leave for the weigh-in with a five-fish limit.
…he would take no chances and leave for the weigh-in with a five-fish limit.
The rough ride back to the weigh-in today would provide a test of man and machinery. The following photos will show demonstrate a bit of what that looked like.
The rough ride back to the weigh-in today would provide a test of man and machinery. The following photos will show demonstrate a bit of what that looked like.