Following the Elites in Sturgeon Bay

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

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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

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

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See ya, Ike.

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Jason Christie left as soon as I arrived.

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

Photo: Chris Mitchell

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Kriet fished closer than most the field, though.

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At least Randy Howell will keep me company.

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

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Scott Rook stayed behind as well.

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James Elam was close by and provided some excitement.

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A fish!

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I need to see a fish today, please!

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And there we go.

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James' Marshal gets a picture.

Photo: Chris Mitchell

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

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

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

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...and started casting seconds later.

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Cliff Pirch comes into view...

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

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James pays him no mind.

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And finds another fish!

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

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Oh hey, it's Davy Hite!

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

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James keeps fishing.

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

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We leave him still looking for more.

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And find our old friends Scott Rook...

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...and Randy Howell.

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They were sharing water around this buoy.

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Randy finds a fish!

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That decides to not stay on.

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The angry, furious reeling leaves a splash or two.

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Rook moves on.

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

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He tries the docks next to the bridge...

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...and under.

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

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Lots of watchers on the shore in Sturgeon Bay.

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Randy still works the bridge.

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

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We find Cliff Pirch.

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No Cliff! Not you too!

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We are going to follow along.

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

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

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Morizo Shimizu speeds by.

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

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

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

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It's a boat.

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These things are huge.

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On the way back I see a happy dog...

Photo: Chris Mitchell

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...and Morizo Shimizu fishing the bridge.

Photo: Chris Mitchell

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Morizo is always in a good mood.

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

Photo: Chris Mitchell

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Following the Elites in Sturgeon Bay

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