Following the Elites in Sturgeon Bay

Click here to continue
1 / 59
I didn't have to go far from the takeoff site to find plenty of Elite anglers trying their luck in the morning in Sturgeon Bay, such as Brett Hite.

Photo: Chris Mitchell

2 / 59
Many would leave for bigger water, but I stayed in the Bay and looked for some fish catching action. Scott Rook would be a familiar face to me.

Photo: Chris Mitchell

3 / 59
It turns out most of the field left the bay, including Mike Iaconelli.

Photo: Chris Mitchell

4 / 59
See ya, Ike.

Photo: Chris Mitchell

5 / 59
Jason Christie left as soon as I arrived.

Photo: Chris Mitchell

6 / 59
This seemed to be a trend. Jeff Kriet pulled that trolling motor the second I arrived.

Photo: Chris Mitchell

7 / 59
Kriet fished closer than most the field, though.

Photo: Chris Mitchell

8 / 59
At least Randy Howell will keep me company.

Photo: Chris Mitchell

9 / 59
He didn't have five fish, he was just saying hello.

Photo: Chris Mitchell

10 / 59
Scott Rook stayed behind as well.

Photo: Chris Mitchell

11 / 59
James Elam was close by and provided some excitement.

Photo: Chris Mitchell

12 / 59
A fish!

Photo: Chris Mitchell

13 / 59
I need to see a fish today, please!

Photo: Chris Mitchell

14 / 59
And there we go.

Photo: Chris Mitchell

15 / 59
James' Marshal gets a picture.

Photo: Chris Mitchell

16 / 59
The Marshal goes for the over-the-phone grip. A rare, but effective way to steady your phone.

Photo: Chris Mitchell

17 / 59
James shows off his catch. I hate to spoil this gallery, but this is the only fish I saw today.

Photo: Chris Mitchell

18 / 59
James didn't know this, of course. He got his raingear off quickly...

Photo: Chris Mitchell

19 / 59
...and started casting seconds later.

Photo: Chris Mitchell

20 / 59
Cliff Pirch comes into view...

Photo: Chris Mitchell

21 / 59
...and sees that Elam is on a spot he'd like to fish.

Photo: Chris Mitchell

22 / 59
James pays him no mind.

Photo: Chris Mitchell

23 / 59
And finds another fish!

Photo: Chris Mitchell

24 / 59
But I've already let you know- this one got away.

Photo: Chris Mitchell

25 / 59
Oh hey, it's Davy Hite!

Photo: Chris Mitchell

26 / 59
Talk about an all-star boat over there- Shaye Baker shoots a BassCam with Dave Mercer and Davy Hite.

Photo: Chris Mitchell

27 / 59
James keeps fishing.

Photo: Chris Mitchell

28 / 59
A worker at the docks walks by to check out James.

Photo: Chris Mitchell

29 / 59
We leave him still looking for more.

Photo: Chris Mitchell

30 / 59
And find our old friends Scott Rook...

Photo: Chris Mitchell

31 / 59
...and Randy Howell.

Photo: Chris Mitchell

32 / 59
They were sharing water around this buoy.

Photo: Chris Mitchell

33 / 59
Randy finds a fish!

Photo: Chris Mitchell

34 / 59
That decides to not stay on.

Photo: Chris Mitchell

35 / 59
The angry, furious reeling leaves a splash or two.

Photo: Chris Mitchell

36 / 59
Rook moves on.

Photo: Chris Mitchell

37 / 59
Randy stays on what I believe to be a cursed buoy.

Photo: Chris Mitchell

38 / 59
He tries the docks next to the bridge...

Photo: Chris Mitchell

39 / 59
...and under.

Photo: Chris Mitchell

40 / 59
You should probably go check out the BassCam page. I saw these guys shooting them all morning.

Photo: Chris Mitchell

41 / 59
Lots of watchers on the shore in Sturgeon Bay.

Photo: Chris Mitchell

42 / 59

Photo: Chris Mitchell

43 / 59
Randy still works the bridge.

Photo: Chris Mitchell

44 / 59
The Coast Guard idles by with James Elam in the background.

Photo: Chris Mitchell

45 / 59
We find Cliff Pirch.

Photo: Chris Mitchell

46 / 59
No Cliff! Not you too!

Photo: Chris Mitchell

47 / 59
We are going to follow along.

Photo: Chris Mitchell

48 / 59
This looks familiar. Remember when Cliff stopped by Elam's spot earlier? Looks like he waited until James was gone to try his luck.

Photo: Chris Mitchell

49 / 59
I call this "Birds and Crane". It's a working title.

Photo: Chris Mitchell

50 / 59
Morizo Shimizu speeds by.

Photo: Chris Mitchell

51 / 59
Cliff fishes all the familiar spots that we watched Elam try.

Photo: Chris Mitchell

52 / 59
He has one bite, but nothing in the boat (at least while we watched).

Photo: Chris Mitchell

53 / 59
That feature behind him, by the way. That's not a wall.

Photo: Chris Mitchell

54 / 59
It's a boat.

Photo: Chris Mitchell

55 / 59
These things are huge.

Photo: Chris Mitchell

56 / 59
On the way back I see a happy dog...

Photo: Chris Mitchell

57 / 59
...and Morizo Shimizu fishing the bridge.

Photo: Chris Mitchell

58 / 59
Morizo is always in a good mood.

Photo: Chris Mitchell

59 / 59
We leave him under the bridge and head in to get ready for the weigh-in.

Photo: Chris Mitchell

Trending

Related Content