College: Day 1 on the Ozarks

Day 1 dawned at Lake of the Ozarks for the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Midwest Regional and by the looks at some of the trees blooming you would think it was full blown spring, but a slight cold front hit the Osage Beach, Missouri area.
Day 1 dawned at Lake of the Ozarks for the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Midwest Regional and by the looks at some of the trees blooming you would think it was full blown spring, but a slight cold front hit the Osage Beach, Missouri area.
There was wind, slight rain and projected tornados later in the day.
There was wind, slight rain and projected tornados later in the day.
I found the defending champions of this regional. One of them was Lance Freeman of Murray State.
I found the defending champions of this regional. One of them was Lance Freeman of Murray State.
His new partner Cameron Brooks hooked up with a  small fish that didn't help them.
His new partner Cameron Brooks hooked up with a small fish that didn’t help them.
They already had three keepers in the boat early on Day 1 and was patiently sifting through smaller fish to connect with keepers.
They already had three keepers in the boat early on Day 1 and was patiently sifting through smaller fish to connect with keepers.
Greenville College cruises by to their area.
Greenville College cruises by to their area.
Freeman and Brooks pull up the trolling motor.
Freeman and Brooks pull up the trolling motor.
They head out, but don't go far so I followed them briefly.
They head out, but don’t go far so I followed them briefly.
They hit a point with a couple baits before they took off again.
They hit a point with a couple baits before they took off again.
A lot of boats were moving spots fast and furiously.
A lot of boats were moving spots fast and furiously.
Some teams decided to fish slow and drag for 5 fish.
Some teams decided to fish slow and drag for 5 fish.
The fishing at Lake of the Ozarks has been awesome and there are keepers to be had in multiple depths.
The fishing at Lake of the Ozarks has been awesome and there are keepers to be had in multiple depths.
I found the team of Mitch VanErt and Steven Sellnow of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
I found the team of Mitch VanErt and Steven Sellnow of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
They had a limit in the boat, but said it was in the 10-pound range.
They had a limit in the boat, but said it was in the 10-pound range.
While VanErt fished, Sellnow was looking for their next spot to hit.
While VanErt fished, Sellnow was looking for their next spot to hit.
After leaving I found occasional teams fishing the main lake and working through docks.
After leaving I found occasional teams fishing the main lake and working through docks.
I also saw some of the big condo complexes and houses that Lake of the Ozarks had to offer.
I also saw some of the big condo complexes and houses that Lake of the Ozarks had to offer.
There were some local people dropping brush and cement blocks out on the lake.
There were some local people dropping brush and cement blocks out on the lake.
And there were giant boats in marinas that hadn't came out to play this spring.
And there were giant boats in marinas that hadn’t came out to play this spring.
In almost every creek with a marina or numerous docks, there was a
In almost every creek with a marina or numerous docks, there was a “Slow, No Wake Zone” sign.
From the lake you can check out some of the interstate signs that tower high above the water.
From the lake you can check out some of the interstate signs that tower high above the water.
Bridges often congregate fish, but some of the Ozark bridges stand in 70 to 100 feet of water.
Bridges often congregate fish, but some of the Ozark bridges stand in 70 to 100 feet of water.
I found the Louisville team of Trent Brown and Elijah Peters fishing around some rock.
I found the Louisville team of Trent Brown and Elijah Peters fishing around some rock.
Freeman and Brooks drive by and signal that they filled their limit.
Freeman and Brooks drive by and signal that they filled their limit.
Meanwhile, Brown and Peters were having a slow start to their day.
Meanwhile, Brown and Peters were having a slow start to their day.
The Osage Beach water tower stands tall and is visible from the water.
The Osage Beach water tower stands tall and is visible from the water.
Louisville takes off, but is headed to a nearby spot.
Louisville takes off, but is headed to a nearby spot.
So I pulled in to watch them for a few minutes.
So I pulled in to watch them for a few minutes.
Two gentlemen were pushing a big floating dock across the lake.
Two gentlemen were pushing a big floating dock across the lake.
Deeper in the creek I found identical twins, Justin and Austin Carr.
Deeper in the creek I found identical twins, Justin and Austin Carr.
They stated they had 18+ pounds and most of it went down in the first 30 minutes of the day.
They stated they had 18+ pounds and most of it went down in the first 30 minutes of the day.
A blue herron flies overhead as it exits the pocket.
A blue herron flies overhead as it exits the pocket.
The brothers decided to as well. Their big fish was close to 6 pounds they believe and they had some solid fish to go with it.
The brothers decided to as well. Their big fish was close to 6 pounds they believe and they had some solid fish to go with it.
More boats were on the move as I exited the creek.
More boats were on the move as I exited the creek.
A big group of coots was moving across the lake.
A big group of coots was moving across the lake.
They decided flying would be much faster than the pace they were at.
They decided flying would be much faster than the pace they were at.
You can see what winter pool looks like for Lake of the Ozarks. The lake seems to be about 4 to 6 feet low, which would normally make this brush pile fishable.
You can see what winter pool looks like for Lake of the Ozarks. The lake seems to be about 4 to 6 feet low, which would normally make this brush pile fishable.
Levi Umlad and Carlos Thomas of Illinois State were fishing nearby.
Levi Umlad and Carlos Thomas of Illinois State were fishing nearby.
There were plenty of docks to choose from.
There were plenty of docks to choose from.
Thomas hooks up after making a bait change.
Thomas hooks up after making a bait change.
It wasn't a keeper and didn't help, but it's always fun catching numbers of fish.
It wasn’t a keeper and didn’t help, but it’s always fun catching numbers of fish.
A boat stops short of the creek on the main point.
A boat stops short of the creek on the main point.
Umlad flips to a dock
Umlad flips to a dock
While Thomas pitches to the bank. Today's shortened day could impact some of the teams more severely as check-in was moved up by 1 hour and 45 minutes in anticipation of a possible tornado cell that may move into the area later in the evening.
While Thomas pitches to the bank. Today’s shortened day could impact some of the teams more severely as check-in was moved up by 1 hour and 45 minutes in anticipation of a possible tornado cell that may move into the area later in the evening.