Northern Open: Day 1 on Oneida

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Day 1 of the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Northern Open on Oneida Lake gets underway as 199 boaters and non-boaters head out in search of the biggest limit of smallmouth and largemouth possible.
Day 1 of the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Northern Open on Oneida Lake gets underway as 199 boaters and non-boaters head out in search of the biggest limit of smallmouth and largemouth possible.
Jim Dillard does some last minute retying as takeoff begins for the first Northern Open of the year.
Jim Dillard does some last minute retying as takeoff begins for the first Northern Open of the year.
Mark Rose finished parking his truck and heads to retrieve his boat.
Mark Rose finished parking his truck and heads to retrieve his boat.
Mike Iaconelli has a while to wait as he is boat 199 on Day 1. At least he gets to be the first to head out on Friday.
Mike Iaconelli has a while to wait as he is boat 199 on Day 1. At least he gets to be the first to head out on Friday.
Boats head in every direction on Oneida Lake as they look for an open piece of real estate to start their day.
Boats head in every direction on Oneida Lake as they look for an open piece of real estate to start their day.
Carl Jocumsen chats with another angler while they wait to blastoff.
Carl Jocumsen chats with another angler while they wait to blastoff.
Sam George was among one of the first boats we saw.
Sam George was among one of the first boats we saw.
George hooked up pretty early into his day.
George hooked up pretty early into his day.
Fishing with light line and having a fierce smallmouth on the other end calls for a fish landing at the side of the boat.
Fishing with light line and having a fierce smallmouth on the other end calls for a fish landing at the side of the boat.
He goes for the scoop...
He goes for the scoop…
And gets the score with a decent smallmouth to start his day.
And gets the score with a decent smallmouth to start his day.
George lands the fish and breaks the ice on a chilly New York morning.
George lands the fish and breaks the ice on a chilly New York morning.
George continued to fish around his area.
George continued to fish around his area.
David Dudley also started in the vicinity and was looking for an early keeper as well.
David Dudley also started in the vicinity and was looking for an early keeper as well.
Glenn Browne is a Florida angler, but has shown his prowess with smallmouth fishing over the years.
Glenn Browne is a Florida angler, but has shown his prowess with smallmouth fishing over the years.
Dudley zings out a finesse tactic as he prepares to head out.
Dudley zings out a finesse tactic as he prepares to head out.
He packs up his rods and heads out.
He packs up his rods and heads out.
Sam George does the same.
Sam George does the same.
We found Mark Rose in the area as he braved big boats to stay on his spot.
We found Mark Rose in the area as he braved big boats to stay on his spot.
Rose hooked up with his spinning tackle.
Rose hooked up with his spinning tackle.
He pulls in a small keeper, but a keeper nonetheless.
He pulls in a small keeper, but a keeper nonetheless.
Rose shows it off. In his first year fishing the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens the seasoned pro qualified for the Elite Series via the Southern Opens.
Rose shows it off. In his first year fishing the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens the seasoned pro qualified for the Elite Series via the Southern Opens.
Fletcher Shryock runs by.
Fletcher Shryock runs by.
He flew by Chris Dillow who fished the Classic in 2016 via a win on the James River in 2015.
He flew by Chris Dillow who fished the Classic in 2016 via a win on the James River in 2015.
Shryock was still scratching his head as he didn't have a keeper yet, even though it was early.
Shryock was still scratching his head as he didn’t have a keeper yet, even though it was early.
George didn't go far after changing spots so we slid over to see how he was doing.
George didn’t go far after changing spots so we slid over to see how he was doing.
George hooked up in front of us again.
George hooked up in front of us again.
No matter how big a smallmouth is it seems vital to tire them out at the side of the boat.
No matter how big a smallmouth is it seems vital to tire them out at the side of the boat.
He goes in for the landing.
He goes in for the landing.
Another quick keeper for Sam George. He still hadn't boated a quality fish yet, but if he sorts through enough fish he could find the size he is looking for.
Another quick keeper for Sam George. He still hadn’t boated a quality fish yet, but if he sorts through enough fish he could find the size he is looking for.
It seemed that it was cast, catch and repeat for a while with George.
It seemed that it was cast, catch and repeat for a while with George.
Another small keeper for him.
Another small keeper for him.
Then he took a moment to retie.
Then he took a moment to retie.
Didn't take him long to get another bite.
Didn’t take him long to get another bite.
He heads to the back of the boat to land this fish.
He heads to the back of the boat to land this fish.
This sequence is of him landing the fish at the side of the boat.
This sequence is of him landing the fish at the side of the boat.
For a while George put on a show and caught numerous smallmouth.
For a while George put on a show and caught numerous smallmouth.
Elite Series rookie Adrian Avena sets the hook.
Elite Series rookie Adrian Avena sets the hook.