Byron Velvick leads a line of boats from the take-off point out into Oneida Lake early on Day One of the Ramada Championship.
Photo: Steve Bowman
Stephen Browning idles out into the lake while other Elite anglers jockey into position early Thursday.
Photo: Steve Bowman
A boat load of spectators watch as Gerald Swindle idles by early Thursday morning.
Photo: Steve Bowman
Bernie Schultz leads a line of Elite anglers from the take-off points Thursday morning.
Photo: Steve Bowman
A ball of water sprays off Ott DeFoe’s reel during the early morning hours of the Ramada Championship on Oneida Lake.
Photo: Steve Bowman
DeFoe hit four different areas by about 11 a.m. on Day One. Early on he struggled but started building on his limit as the day progressed.
Photo: Steve Bowman
Ott DeFoe spent the first part of his morning fishing in one of the many canals along the lake.
Photo: Steve Bowman
DeFoe took his cue from the “Slow, No Wake” sign and slowly crept around the shallow area.
Photo: Steve Bowman
On the outside point of the canal, Bill Lowen fishes around a riprap wall.
Photo: Steve Bowman
Lowen fishes outside the area as a blue heron watches both the anglers from his grassy perch.
Photo: Steve Bowman
DeFoe and his cameraman turn to the sound of breaking fish as they exit the canal.
Photo: Steve Bowman
A group of anglers, Kelly Jordon, Jeremy Starks and Boyd Duckett, pile together in one area of the lake.
Photo: Steve Bowman
The largemouth was the first green fish he had caught that morning. Up to that point, he had only hooked smallmouth bass.
Photo: Steve Bowman
While re-tying, DeFoe takes a peek over his rod box as a fish breaks nearby.
Photo: Steve Bowman