Marshals: Day 1 on Mille Lacs

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Bill Lowen sizing them up.
Bill Lowen sizing them up. “Nope, it won’t help” he says.
This 4.5-pounder makes one last jump by the boat before being landed by Clifford Pirch.
This 4.5-pounder makes one last jump by the boat before being landed by Clifford Pirch.
Alton Jones still trading on up, 3lb 8-pounder for a 5lb 2-pounder.
Alton Jones still trading on up, 3lb 8-pounder for a 5lb 2-pounder.
Patience pays off. After fishing the same spot three different times throughout the day comes the biggest catch of the day for Mark Daniels Jr.
Patience pays off. After fishing the same spot three different times throughout the day comes the biggest catch of the day for Mark Daniels Jr.
Time for Wiggins to cull.
Time for Wiggins to cull.
Ott DeFoe moved back off shore and hooked up with this slob.
Ott DeFoe moved back off shore and hooked up with this slob.
Big fish, big cull for Russ Lane!
Big fish, big cull for Russ Lane!
Heartbreak is spelled Northern Pike for Lowen.
Heartbreak is spelled Northern Pike for Lowen.
Bobby Lane with a 3-pounder!
Bobby Lane with a 3-pounder!
Hot noon bite for Mark Daniels Jr.
Hot noon bite for Mark Daniels Jr.
It is a trading day at Alton Jones' office. 1-pounder for 3.6-pounder.
It is a trading day at Alton Jones’ office. 1-pounder for 3.6-pounder.
Another big cull for Lane!
Another big cull for Lane!
Jordan Lee with a cull, 3lbs 12 oz.
Jordan Lee with a cull, 3lbs 12 oz.

Bradley Roy with No. 3 and No. 4. It's slow but good quality
Bradley Roy with No. 3 and No. 4. It’s slow but good quality
After getting hung in the dock, DeFoe's limit is filled!
After getting hung in the dock, DeFoe’s limit is filled!
Cliff Pirch upgrades with this tank.
Cliff Pirch upgrades with this tank.
Don't let the picture fool you because Lefebre isn't napping on the job. Another nice cull.
Don’t let the picture fool you because Lefebre isn’t napping on the job. Another nice cull.

No. 5 for Wiggins.
No. 5 for Wiggins.
First fish of the day for Mark Daniels Jr.
First fish of the day for Mark Daniels Jr.
David Walker with a giant.
David Walker with a giant.
Another helper for Faircloth.
Another helper for Faircloth.
Close to a 5-pounder for Crews.
Close to a 5-pounder for Crews.
A huge upgrade for Dave Lefebre. Head down looking for more!
A huge upgrade for Dave Lefebre. Head down looking for more!
Matt Lee with a limit and culling.
Matt Lee with a limit and culling.
And that's number five for Crews.
And that’s number five for Crews.
Another great cull for Bill Lowen.
Another great cull for Bill Lowen.
After a slow stretch, this largemouth bit and almost broke off on a propeller by a dock. Ott says with the day he's having so far, he's glad he is in a no pressure situation.
After a slow stretch, this largemouth bit and almost broke off on a propeller by a dock. Ott says with the day he’s having so far, he’s glad he is in a no pressure situation.
Another big cull for Wheeler. He caught a 4.8-poiunder and culled out last fish under 3.25-poiunds.
Another big cull for Wheeler. He caught a 4.8-poiunder and culled out last fish under 3.25-poiunds.
Alton Jones closes his limit with a nice 4-pounds and smiles.
Alton Jones closes his limit with a nice 4-pounds and smiles.
Faircloth with a toad.
Faircloth with a toad.
Another solid upgrade for McClelland...
Another solid upgrade for McClelland…
...
…
A nice upgrade for Lowen.
A nice upgrade for Lowen.
Fish No. 2 for Bradley Roy, a nice brown tank.
Fish No. 2 for Bradley Roy, a nice brown tank.
Matt Lee excited for this one.
Matt Lee excited for this one.
Aaron Martens feeling good about No. 4 this morning.
Aaron Martens feeling good about No. 4 this morning.
First fish for Jesse Wiggins.
First fish for Jesse Wiggins.
Cliff Pirch gets a nice one for his 5th fish.
Cliff Pirch gets a nice one for his 5th fish.
Steve Kennedy is on the board with two 3-pounders.
Steve Kennedy is on the board with two 3-pounders.
Lowen lands a 4-pounder.
Lowen lands a 4-pounder.
Swindle fills out a limit.
Swindle fills out a limit.
That makes five in the box for Faircloth.
That makes five in the box for Faircloth.
Solid 4.5-pounder for Steve Kennedy.
Solid 4.5-pounder for Steve Kennedy.
After some technical difficulties early, Aaron Martens puts a good one in the boat.
After some technical difficulties early, Aaron Martens puts a good one
in the boat.
Two pound upgrade for Mike McClelland, 4-pounder in, 2-pounder out.
Two pound upgrade for Mike McClelland, 4-pounder in, 2-pounder out.
Lester on the board.
Lester on the board.
Ott Defoe hooked up and first fish of the day!
Ott Defoe hooked up and first fish of the day!
Bill Lowen getting started.
Bill Lowen getting started.
3-pounder in the boat first for John Crews.
3-pounder in the boat first for John Crews.
Russ Lane with a good cull!
Russ Lane with a good cull!
Powroznik is on the board with a chunk!
Powroznik is on the board with a chunk!
Three for Lowen.
Three for Lowen.
Mike McClelland off to a good start, Five in the box, time to upgrade.
Mike McClelland off to a good start, Five in the box, time to upgrade.
You can feel the anticipation before the start of Day 1 of the 2017 Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Championship.
You can feel the anticipation before the start of Day 1 of the 2017 Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Championship.
Thumbs up from John Crews!
Thumbs up from John Crews!
Second cast of the morning and Swindle is on the board.
Second cast of the morning and Swindle is on the board.
Skeet Reese happy to have a good start to Day 1.
Skeet Reese happy to have a good start to Day 1.
Keith Combs didn't waste anytime, five cast and five fish!
Keith Combs didn’t waste anytime, five cast and five fish!
Micah Frazier has his first keeper.
Micah Frazier has his first keeper.
Good start for Russ Lane with two in the box.
Good start for Russ Lane with two in the box.
Cliff Pirch adds another nice one to the livewell early in the day.
Cliff Pirch adds another nice one to the livewell early in the day.
Fish No. 1 in the boat for Dave Lefebre and getting excited for the day!
Fish No. 1 in the boat for Dave Lefebre and getting excited for the day!
Russ lane with a good limit fish!
Russ lane with a good limit fish!