Battle for Chesapeake Bay begins

Elites start Day 1 of the Huk Performance Fishing Bassmaster Elite at Chesapeake Bay.

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The quiet of predawn is broken with the sound of 107 boats launching into Chesapeake Bay.
The quiet of predawn is broken with the sound of 107 boats launching into Chesapeake Bay.
Plenty of dock space at this event.
Plenty of dock space at this event.
Fans line up to meet their fishing heroes.
Fans line up to meet their fishing heroes.
Jordan Lee is ready to go.
Jordan Lee is ready to go.
Elites make quick work of this boat ramp.
Elites make quick work of this boat ramp.
Carl Jocumsen gets ready.
Carl Jocumsen gets ready.
Elites find their Marshals and then wait to begin.
Elites find their Marshals and then wait to begin.
Brent Chapman and Mark Davis are
Brent Chapman and Mark Davis are “neighbors” this morning.
Dave Smith waits his turn.
Dave Smith waits his turn.
Matt Reed gets suited up.
Matt Reed gets suited up.
Fletcher Shryock prepares his tackle.
Fletcher Shryock prepares his tackle.
All stand and remove their hats...
All stand and remove their hats…
...for the national anthem.
…for the national anthem.
Including Brent Ehrler.
Including Brent Ehrler.
After the anthem, David Mullins pulls his trolling motor up. Time to use the big motor.
After the anthem, David Mullins pulls his trolling motor up. Time to use the big motor.
Chris Zaldain and Carl Jocumsen have a laugh.
Chris Zaldain and Carl Jocumsen have a laugh.
Dean Rojas has his eye on a Toyota Angler of the Year trophy.
Dean Rojas has his eye on a Toyota Angler of the Year trophy.
Joe Sancho is fishing close to home.
Joe Sancho is fishing close to home.
Bobby Lane...
Bobby Lane…
James Elam...
James Elam…
Shaw Grigsby...
Shaw Grigsby…
The first few boats begin their day.
The first few boats begin their day.
Fans line the dock.
Fans line the dock.
B.A.S.S. manager Chuck Harbin keeps all the Elites in line before takeoff.
B.A.S.S. manager Chuck Harbin keeps all the Elites in line before takeoff.
Everyone seems to be headed in one direction.
Everyone seems to be headed in one direction.
Chris Lane idles by.
Chris Lane idles by.
Boats funnel into one direction- in front of Dave Mercer.
Boats funnel into one direction- in front of Dave Mercer.
This dock held up fine, but it was definitely listing a bit.
This dock held up fine, but it was definitely listing a bit.
No Elite boats up high today. Time to go.
No Elite boats up high today. Time to go.
Fans watched from the water as well.
Fans watched from the water as well.
Russ Lane waits his turn.
Russ Lane waits his turn.
Chad Pipkens didn't go far to start fishing.
Chad Pipkens didn’t go far to start fishing.
Randy Allen...
Randy Allen…
Rick Clunn...
Rick Clunn…
Skeet Reese...
Skeet Reese…
Keith Combs...
Keith Combs…
Kevin Short announced this week that this is one of his final two Elite events.
Kevin Short announced this week that this is one of his final two Elite events.
David Walker waits.
David Walker waits.
The fans wish their heroes good luck on this beautiful and large fishery.
The fans wish their heroes good luck on this beautiful and large fishery.
Dave Mercer sends the last few boats out. It's time to see what they can bring to the weigh-in this afternoon.
Dave Mercer sends the last few boats out. It’s time to see what they can bring to the weigh-in this afternoon.