Open: Registration at Oneida

The registration and briefing meeting for the first Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Northern Open of the 2017 season at Oneida Lake gets underway as 198 boats gather at the Holiday Inn in Liverpool, NY.
Captions by Ronnie Moore

Anglers gather in line as registration got crowded before the official meeting began.

Oneida Lake is a popular place and a common stop on the Northern Opens schedule.

Last year it took almost 15 pounds per day to get paid in the Top 40, but with major storms rolling through the area anglers aren’t quite sure how this event will play out.

But come Saturday afternoon, one pro and co-angler will consider it a job well done if they can walk away from this event holding these pieces of hardware.

David Dudley makes his way to the registration table where they check your fishing license and you sign the necessary paperwork.

After completing the necessary paperwork and passing B.A.S.S. tournament officials anglers move on to the fun part…

…where they receive goodies from multiple sponsors. Carhartt never disappoints as they bring shirts of all sizes to each meeting.

Phoenix brought some hats and decals for anglers to take and place on their rig.

Don’t forget to grab your B.A.S.S. hat after finishing paperwork…

…and a B.A.S.S. patch if your tournament jersey doesn’t have the proper logo.

Every angler signs off on the rules and gets a copy so they can be on the up-and-up of the regulations.

Elite Series pro Drew Benton made the trip from Florida to this event.

If you’re free, Mike Iaconelli is hosting a tournament that benefits kids next week at the Delaware River.

Stay close enough to the trophy and it could be yours come Saturday.

Pros and cos look over the off-limits areas and the size limit.

Meanwhile Sam George ponders if this will be his this week.

But with 395 other anglers battling it out he will certainly have to earn it.

Shin Fukae is a former Northern Open winner back in 2014 at Lake Erie.

What are the odds of meeting Mike Iaconelli? Well, pretty high at a Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Northern Open because he fishes them every year. Better get a photo while you can though.

One last chance to look over the rules before Tournament Director Chris Bowes takes the stand.

Anglers funnel in for the meeting. With the mix of Elite Series anglers, the best of the best Opens pros and locals; the field is stacked this week.

Elite Series rookie Jesse Tacoronte decides the time is right for a selfie.

Meanwhile, John Murray and Charlie Hartley have a laugh. Both of these anglers seem to carry a smile most of the time.

Almost 200 boats that are eager to hit Oneida Lake early Thursday morning.

Kurt Dove and Ken Iyobe take a selfie as well, a popular deal at these events when anglers see each other after weeks or months away.

Iaconelli takes one moment to explain his benefit tournament for kids at the Delaware River on July 8th.

Once again, there are numerous aspiring photographers in the crowd.

Over the next three days of competition the 198-boat field will battle it out on Oneida and the Top 12 will advance to Day 3. A Classic spot, future Elite Series spots and money and hardware are up for grabs this week.