Marshals: Grand Lake Day 1

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Never give up!
Never give up!
Swindle has continued to catch fish throughout the day on a slow but consistent basis. Unfortunately as evidenced by this 2 1/2-pounder, they aren’t helping the overall weight. ‘But it still feels good to get bites and blister ‘em’ says Gerald.
Swindle has continued to catch fish throughout the day on a slow but consistent basis. Unfortunately as evidenced by this 2 1/2-pounder, they aren’t helping the overall weight. ‘But it still feels good to get bites and blister ‘em’ says Gerald.
Kieth Combs every ounce counts.
Kieth Combs every ounce counts.
Ott Defoe with five and a cull!
Ott Defoe with five and a cull!
Bradley Roy hits one during the 7th inning stretch.
Bradley Roy hits one during the 7th inning stretch.
Sumrall with a good one!
Sumrall with a good one!
VanDam strikes again.
VanDam strikes again.
Hank Cherry culling.
Hank Cherry culling.
The charm and finesse of a Southern gentleman lures the ladies like no other.
The charm and finesse of a Southern gentleman lures the ladies like no other.
After putting # 5 in the box, a false alarm. Still, some excitement on Grand
After putting # 5 in the box, a false alarm. Still, some excitement on Grand
Another solid fish for Aaron Martens.
Another solid fish for Aaron Martens.
Cliff Prince just puts a nice upgrade in the livewell. He’s culling!
Cliff Prince just puts a nice upgrade in the livewell. He’s culling!

Limit has been reached for Jake Whitaker.
Limit has been reached for Jake Whitaker.

Decisions. Who’s making the cut?
Decisions. Who’s making the cut?
Number three for the Legend, Rick Clunn
Number three for the Legend, Rick Clunn
After a slow morning Paul Elias threw back a “non keeper” before putting number two in the box.
After a slow morning Paul Elias threw back a “non keeper” before putting number two in the box.
Rick Morris with his fifth keeper. They just keep getting better.
Rick Morris with his fifth keeper. They just keep getting better.
Aaron Martens catches another keeper.
Aaron Martens catches another keeper.
Caleb Sumrall has a limit now just need a kicker!!
Caleb Sumrall has a limit now just need a kicker!!
Cull time for Pirch.
Cull time for Pirch.
Seth Feider shuts the door on number four.
Seth Feider shuts the door on number four.
Drew Benton has a limit. Now he's looking for an upgrade.
Drew Benton has a limit. Now he’s looking for an upgrade.
Another nice one. Chris Groh is making it happen at Grand.
Another nice one. Chris Groh is making it happen at Grand.
Wheeler culling his way up!
Wheeler culling his way up!
Rick Morris with his 3rd keeper of the day.
Rick Morris with his 3rd keeper of the day.
That is a culling smile on Skylar Hamilton’s face! A one pound upgrade is always welcome.
That is a culling smile on Skylar Hamilton’s face! A one pound upgrade is always welcome.

Kieth Combs with a quality fish.
Kieth Combs with a quality fish.
Bill Weidler swings another nice one in the boat.
Bill Weidler swings another nice one in the boat.
Another good fish to cull out a small one from earlier. Brandon seems to have a pattern figured out on the bigger fish but they are prettty scattered out.
Another good fish to cull out a small one from earlier. Brandon seems to have a pattern figured out on the bigger fish but they are prettty scattered out.
Aaron Martens look of focus and determination.
Aaron Martens look of focus and determination.
Nice upgrade for Alton Jones, Jr.
Nice upgrade for Alton Jones, Jr.

Roy is on a roll folks.
Roy is on a roll folks.
The fish are biting and so is the G-Man. The message for the day from Miss LuLu? ‘Believe in yourself, Have faith in your abilities’. Gerald definitely believes in himself and he certainly has the ability.
The fish are biting and so is the G-Man. The message for the day from Miss LuLu? ‘Believe in yourself, Have faith in your abilities’. Gerald definitely believes in himself and he certainly has the ability.
Finally after a little slow stretch for Avena and a lost fish and then this one.
Finally after a little slow stretch for Avena and a lost fish and then this one.
Wesley Strader is catching lots of short fish and small keepers. Just caught a 3-pounder to upgrade his total by a 1-pound.
Wesley Strader is catching lots of short fish and small keepers. Just caught a 3-pounder to upgrade his total by a 1-pound.

McClelland with an upgrade. His second cull of the day.
McClelland with an upgrade. His second cull of the day.
Marty Robinson making big culls now!
Marty Robinson making big culls now!
Caleb Sumrall got the stink off the boat.
Caleb Sumrall got the stink off the boat.
A limit of fish for Randy Howell .
A limit of fish for Randy Howell .
James Elamfishing in the hard to reach places.
James Elamfishing in the hard to reach places.
Roy Hawk with his first cull.
Roy Hawk with his first cull.
Boom Boom with a stud!
Boom Boom with a stud!

Jacob Powroznik plucks a good one.
Jacob Powroznik plucks a good one.
Changing up. Lowen has a limit but he’s still trying to find what the big ones are wanting.
Changing up. Lowen has a limit but he’s still trying to find what the big ones are wanting.
Roy Hawk with No.5.
Roy Hawk with No.5.
Alright, Brandon Palaniuk gets to cull with his 6th keeper a 3 1/2-pounder.
Alright, Brandon Palaniuk gets to cull with his 6th keeper a 3 1/2-pounder.
Cliff Prince just puts No. 5 in the box. Time to start looking for some upgrades!
Cliff Prince just puts No. 5 in the box. Time to start looking for some upgrades!
No. 5 for Chris Lane
No. 5 for Chris Lane
Drew benton with No.4 for the day.
Drew benton with No.4 for the day.
Jeff Kriet has his first keeper, a chunky 2-pounder.
Jeff Kriet has his first keeper, a chunky 2-pounder.
Another hour into the day and the 2014 College National Champion has made several moves. The cold temps are making runs cold. A few more lost fish and one short one and Jake Whitaker is on the board!
Another hour into the day and the 2014 College National Champion has made several moves. The cold temps are making runs cold. A few more lost fish and one short one and Jake Whitaker is on the board!
Bradley Roy makes an upgrade.
Bradley Roy makes an upgrade.
Brent Ehrler showing off a keeper.
Brent Ehrler showing off a keeper.
Todd Faircloth working his plan...
Todd Faircloth working his plan…
...No. 4 on the boat.
…No. 4 on the boat.
Been a steady grind for Jones this morning His confidence is up and ready to start culling!!
Been a steady grind for Jones this morning His confidence is up and ready to start culling!!
Adrian Avena with a nice upgrade of 3lb 12oz.
Adrian Avena with a nice upgrade of 3lb 12oz.
Roy Hawk with No. 4.
Roy Hawk with No. 4.
Skylar Hamilton has that magic number five!. He is really putting on a show for his Marshal about bedding bass.
Skylar Hamilton has that magic number five!. He is really putting on a show for his Marshal about bedding bass.

Brock Mosley filling his limit with a nice fish...
Brock Mosley filling his limit with a nice fish…
...now culling after this 5 1/2-pounder.
…now culling after this 5 1/2-pounder.
A little bit bigger with Defoe 2nd keeper, 2-pounds even.
A little bit bigger with Defoe 2nd keeper, 2-pounds even.
Duston Connell culling up.
Duston Connell culling up.
Tim Horton with first fish. He had some small fish this morning and finally got hooked up with a good one.
Tim Horton with first fish. He had some small fish this morning and finally got hooked up with a good one.
After a long drought with mainly drum on the bite, Brent Chapman brings in this 3.5-pounder to significantly improve his outlook.
After a long drought with mainly drum on the bite, Brent Chapman brings in this 3.5-pounder to significantly improve his outlook.
And within two casts another 3.5-pounder goes in the box for Brent Chapman.
And within two casts another 3.5-pounder goes in the box for Brent Chapman.
Brent Chapman digging out another solid fish to keep his morning going!
Brent Chapman digging out another solid fish to keep his morning going!
Another nice grand lake fish for Clifford Pirch.
Another nice grand lake fish for Clifford Pirch.
Thank goodness for a snag. The cast before Skeet got hung up. This led him closer toward the dock. The next cast landed this nice one.
Thank goodness for a snag. The cast before Skeet got hung up. This led him closer toward the dock. The next cast landed this nice one.

James Elam impressivly pulled this fish over a dock railing.
James Elam impressivly pulled this fish over a dock railing.
Roy Hawk with his 2nd keeper.
Roy Hawk with his 2nd keeper.
Even with the banana jinx in the boat Shaw is catching them (notice the bananas on his console).
Even with the banana jinx in the boat Shaw is catching them (notice the bananas on his console).
Fish No. 2 for Hunter Shryock as he sets the hook on a 5-pound female, working slow between the docks and the bank.
Fish No. 2 for Hunter Shryock as he sets the hook on a 5-pound female, working slow between the docks and the bank.
Apparently, the bigger fish prefer 3 Doors Down. Strader boats No. 5.
Apparently, the bigger fish prefer 3 Doors Down. Strader boats No. 5.

The first cull of the day for Poche.
The first cull of the day for Poche.
Add another 3-pounder to the boat. This one came unbuttoned during the boat flip and landed safely in the bottom. “Better to be lucky than good any day,” says Gerald. Pretty good morning so far.
Add another 3-pounder to the boat. This one came unbuttoned during the boat flip and landed safely in the bottom. “Better to be lucky than good any day,” says Gerald. Pretty good morning so far.
HunterShryock starts the day with a fat female.
HunterShryock starts the day with a fat female.
Early limit for Avena. Now it's time to upgrade with some big girls.
Early limit for Avena. Now it’s time to upgrade with some big girls.
Strader lands No. 2, a 2.5-pounder. Apparently this one preferred Daughtry.
Strader lands No. 2, a 2.5-pounder. Apparently this one preferred Daughtry.
Marty Robinson is weeding through the small ones to get to those keepers! Two in the box.
Marty Robinson is weeding through the small ones to get to those keepers! Two in the box.

Wesley Strader lands fish No. 1 while rocking to some Shinedown on the stereo.
Wesley Strader lands fish No. 1 while rocking to some Shinedown on the stereo.

After a short bass and two drum, Ott Defoe gets on the board with his first keeper of the day.
After a short bass and two drum, Ott Defoe gets on the board with his first keeper of the day.
Aaron Martens first fish of the day.
Aaron Martens first fish of the day.
Lowen with four in the boat.
Lowen with four in the boat.
No. 4, a solid keeper, Avena is getting pumped up now!
No. 4, a solid keeper, Avena is getting pumped up now!
Jamie Hartman fills his limit on back to back casts.
Jamie Hartman fills his limit on back to back casts.
Alton Jones Jr., on the board with back to back catches.
Alton Jones Jr., on the board with back to back catches.
Momma goose nesting in bass boat close to Jacob Powroznik.
Momma goose nesting in bass boat close to Jacob Powroznik.
Three for Alton Jones.
Three for Alton Jones.
Bradley Roy hooks his second keeper.
Bradley Roy hooks his second keeper.
Randy Howell getting No. 3 in the boat.
Randy Howell getting No. 3 in the boat.
Shaw Grigsby with his third keeper.
Shaw Grigsby with his third keeper.
Jacob Wheeler with a nice 31/2-pound fish.
Jacob Wheeler with a nice 31/2-pound fish.
Stephen Browning with a 5-pounder. That makes a limit. Let’s go.
Stephen Browning with a 5-pounder. That makes a limit. Let’s go.
Chris Lane on the board.
Chris Lane on the board.
Robbie Latuso boats a Grand Lake toad.
Robbie Latuso boats a Grand Lake toad.
McClelland working on his limit with third fish.
McClelland working on his limit with third fish.
That makes three for Avena.
That makes three for Avena.
Pirch catches nice early fish.
Pirch catches nice early fish.
After a short lull, No. 3 goes into the box for Jamie Hartman.
After a short lull, No. 3 goes into the box for Jamie Hartman.
Palaniuk has his 2nd keeper of the day with a 1.75-pounder. Planning to cull that one as the day goes on.
Palaniuk has his 2nd keeper of the day with a 1.75-pounder. Planning to cull that one as the day goes on.
James Elam has one in the boat.
James Elam has one in the boat.
Mark Daniels Jr. starts quickly with nice fatty near 4-pounds.
Mark Daniels Jr. starts quickly with nice fatty near 4-pounds.
No. 2 and getting bigger for Lowen.
No. 2 and getting bigger for Lowen.
Added a 3-pounder to the live well after this one crushed his bait. Only to be met with an even more crushing hook set. Gerald says the fish are eating this morning. PMA!
Added a 3-pounder to the live well after this one crushed his bait. Only to be met with an even more crushing hook set. Gerald says the fish are eating this morning. PMA!
That makes two for Avena. He is hoping this one doesn't stay in the box too long.
That makes two for Avena. He is hoping this one doesn’t stay in the box too long.
Keith Poche on some fish early with two keepers in the boat.
Keith Poche on some fish early with two keepers in the boat.
Stephen Browning with a nice keeper. Good start to the morning. Three in the box.
Stephen Browning with a nice keeper. Good start to the morning. Three in the box.
Scott Rook with No. 2, a 4.5-pounder.
Scott Rook with No. 2, a 4.5-pounder.
Fish No.2 for Cliff Prince! This one is a little bit bigger than the first.
Fish No.2 for Cliff Prince! This one is a little bit bigger than the first.

Brandon Palaniuk has his first bass on the livewell. A fat 4-pounder that looks like it's ready to explode .
Brandon Palaniuk has his first bass on the livewell. A fat 4-pounder that looks like it’s ready to explode .
3rd cast and 1st Fish for Chad Pipkens.
3rd cast and 1st Fish for Chad Pipkens.
Dustin Connell showing off another keeper.
Dustin Connell showing off another keeper.
No.2 quickly follows for Jamie Hartman and it’s a stud!
No.2 quickly follows for Jamie Hartman and it’s a stud!
Adrian Avena on the board early...
Adrian Avena on the board early…
...
…
Jamie Hartman with first fish of the day.
Jamie Hartman with first fish of the day.
After a short boat ride, Swindle puts a 2-pound fish in the boat. A good start to the morning.
After a short boat ride, Swindle puts a 2-pound fish in the boat. A good start to the morning.
The first keeper in the box for Cliff Prince!
The first keeper in the box for Cliff Prince!

Dustin Connell starting Day 1 off right.
Dustin Connell starting Day 1 off right.
Scott Rook with his first keeper, 2.5-pounds.
Scott Rook with his first keeper, 2.5-pounds.
First keeper of the day at his first stop.
First keeper of the day at his first stop.
Shaw Grigsby on the board early with two quick keepers.
Shaw Grigsby on the board early with two quick keepers.
Josh pulls up on first spot and catches what looks to be a 1.8-pound bass within the first 10 minutes. While writing this he says we’re gonna catch em! Then sets the hook on a short bass. Looks to be a promising day.
Josh pulls up on first spot and catches what looks to be a 1.8-pound bass within the first 10 minutes. While writing this he says we’re gonna catch em! Then sets the hook on a short bass. Looks to be a promising day.

Mike McClelland with fish No. 1 of the day
Mike McClelland with fish No. 1 of the day
BASS staffer, Chuck Harbin in full control of the take-off at first light on Grand Lake.
BASS staffer, Chuck Harbin in full control of the take-off at first light on Grand Lake.
Kieth Combs getting ready to go.
Kieth Combs getting ready to go.
Brent Erhler spooling line before Day 1 take of at the 2018 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Elite at Grand Lake
Brent Erhler spooling line before Day 1 take of at the 2018 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Elite at Grand Lake