Elite Midpoint Photo Gallery

For the midway point of the Elite Series, James Overstreet offers his finest images from the first four events

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<p> Sea planes perform a flyover for the launch of the Sunshine Showdown on the Harris Chain, the first Elite Series event of the year.</p>
Sea planes perform a flyover for the launch of the Sunshine Showdown on the Harris Chain, the first Elite Series event of the year.
<p> What exactly did Randy Howell use to hook this alligator? A $40 lure he just had to retrieve, especially with his knowledge of proper handling from watching TV's Swamp People.</p>
What exactly did Randy Howell use to hook this alligator? A $40 lure he just had to retrieve, especially with his knowledge of proper handling from watching TV’s Swamp People.
<p> Sight fishing sensation Shaw Grigsby flashed his smile aplenty at the Sunshine Showdown, especially since it was his first victory in more than 10 years.</p>
Sight fishing sensation Shaw Grigsby flashed his smile aplenty at the Sunshine Showdown, especially since it was his first victory in more than 10 years.
<p> A brilliant Florida sunrise greeted anglers as it burned off the morning mist hanging over the Harris Chain of Lakes.</p>
A brilliant Florida sunrise greeted anglers as it burned off the morning mist hanging over the Harris Chain of Lakes.
<p> The Power-Pole Citrus Slam turned into a push pole event for many stealthily approaching skittish fish. Alton Jones even donned a camo hat, and he leads the AOY points race.</p>
The Power-Pole Citrus Slam turned into a push pole event for many stealthily approaching skittish fish. Alton Jones even donned a camo hat, and he leads the AOY points race.
<p> Terry Scroggins crouches down on his bow as to not spook a bedding fish on his home waters, where he scrambled and took second.</p>
Terry Scroggins crouches down on his bow as to not spook a bedding fish on his home waters, where he scrambled and took second.
<p> With his top finish in 2011 only a fourth, reigning TTBAOY Kevin VanDam still casts a lengthy shadow as he sits third in the race.</p>
With his top finish in 2011 only a fourth, reigning TTBAOY Kevin VanDam still casts a lengthy shadow as he sits third in the race.
<p> Lake George was the popular spot on the St. Johns River, where the majority slowly sight-fished through thick eel grass looking for beds with the big ladies.</p>
Lake George was the popular spot on the St. Johns River, where the majority slowly sight-fished through thick eel grass looking for beds with the big ladies.
<p> Eelgrass was an issue on St. Johns, where anglers like J Todd Tucker kept yanking up trolling motors wrapped with it.</p>
Eelgrass was an issue on St. Johns, where anglers like J Todd Tucker kept yanking up trolling motors wrapped with it.
<p> The morning sky in Palakta, Fla., greets anglers and fans on Day Three of the Power-Pole Citrus Slam.</p>
The morning sky in Palakta, Fla., greets anglers and fans on Day Three of the Power-Pole Citrus Slam.
<p> Lost ball? No, more like found fish. Edwin Evers plied the deepest crevices to win on the St. Johns River.</p>
Lost ball? No, more like found fish. Edwin Evers plied the deepest crevices to win on the St. Johns River.
<p> Water generation on Pickwick was like ringing the diner bell, and the Elites, including Alabama Charge winner Davy Hite, were there to feast.</p>
Water generation on Pickwick was like ringing the diner bell, and the Elites, including Alabama Charge winner Davy Hite, were there to feast.
<p> White pelicans flocked to rocks near the Wilson dam waiting their turn to feast.</p>
White pelicans flocked to rocks near the Wilson dam waiting their turn to feast.
<p> The line from Randy Howell's reel floats through the air on a long-range cast..</p>
The line from Randy Howell’s reel floats through the air on a long-range cast..
<p> In the rough waters below Wilson dam, Davy Hite gets too close for comfort and pushes off from a huge boulder.</p>
In the rough waters below Wilson dam, Davy Hite gets too close for comfort and pushes off from a huge boulder.
<p> Swinging in a Pickwick Lake fish, Elite sophomore Keith Poche contended for the title but fell short one the final day.</p>
Swinging in a Pickwick Lake fish, Elite sophomore Keith Poche contended for the title but fell short one the final day.
<p> Knowing he had more than enough to win, Davy Hite jumps from his boat as he heads to the Alabama Charge weigh-in stage.</p>
Knowing he had more than enough to win, Davy Hite jumps from his boat as he heads to the Alabama Charge weigh-in stage.
<p> The helicopter crew covers Dean Rojas for the web and Bassmaster TV at the TroKar Battle on the Bayou.</p>
The helicopter crew covers Dean Rojas for the web and Bassmaster TV at the TroKar Battle on the Bayou.
<p> Anglers had some rough rides as high winds roughed up Toledo Bend, making for a bumpy Bayou and slow going.</p>
Anglers had some rough rides as high winds roughed up Toledo Bend, making for a bumpy Bayou and slow going.
<p> Charlie Hartley works deep in a field of stumps that were plentiful on Toledo Bend.</p>
Charlie Hartley works deep in a field of stumps that were plentiful on Toledo Bend.
<p> With low water exposing more beachfront property, Dean Rojas flips one in his boat. <span style=
With low water exposing more beachfront property, Dean Rojas flips one in his boat.  
<p> An unexpected early bite came in the form of a 5-pounder that turned out to be the difference for Dean Rojas. <span style=
An unexpected early bite came in the form of a 5-pounder that turned out to be the difference for Dean Rojas.  
<p> Chris Lane plays to the enthusiastic crowd by showing his fish at the Toledo Bend weigh-in. <span style=
Chris Lane plays to the enthusiastic crowd by showing his fish at the Toledo Bend weigh-in.  
<p> Gerald Swindle sits in the hot seat as David Walker weighs in. Only Dean Rojas could knock off G-man, albeit by an ounce.</p>
Gerald Swindle sits in the hot seat as David Walker weighs in. Only Dean Rojas could knock off G-man, albeit by an ounce.
<p> Dean Rojas celebrates his one-ounce victory over Gerald Swindle in the TroKar Battle on the Bayou.</p>
Dean Rojas celebrates his one-ounce victory over Gerald Swindle in the TroKar Battle on the Bayou.