Open: Day 1 on the Kissimmee Chain

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We head out on the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes to see who we can find on Day 1 of the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Open.
We head out on the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes to see who we can find on Day 1 of the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Open.
We start the day on Lake Kissimmee along side Fletcher Shryock.
We start the day on Lake Kissimmee along side Fletcher Shryock.
Fletcher plugs away, with only one small keeper to show for the day so far.
Fletcher plugs away, with only one small keeper to show for the day so far.
As Fletcher works along…
As Fletcher works along…
…we catch a glimpse of younger brother, Hunter Shryock fishing nearby.
…we catch a glimpse of younger brother, Hunter Shryock fishing nearby.
Hunter is scoreless to this point, though his flipping stick sent one small keeper soaring over the boat this morning.
Hunter is scoreless to this point, though his flipping stick sent one small keeper soaring over the boat this morning.
Back to Fletcher.
Back to Fletcher.
A bass takes Fletcher’s bait but misses the hook. Time to re-rig.
A bass takes Fletcher’s bait but misses the hook. Time to re-rig.
…as Hunter passes by.
…as Hunter passes by.
Several boats running around this morning, no one seemingly on ‘the juice’ yet.
Several boats running around this morning, no one seemingly on ‘the juice’ yet.
As Fletcher picks up the trolling motor to leave…
As Fletcher picks up the trolling motor to leave…
A bite with the punching rod, but is it a big one?
A bite with the punching rod, but is it a big one?
Not this time. Hunter grimaces a little disappointed.
Not this time. Hunter grimaces a little disappointed.
But that’s keeper number one in the box.
But that’s keeper number one in the box.
Co-angler William Beekman puts one in the boat.
Co-angler William Beekman puts one in the boat.
Hunter grinds on.
Hunter grinds on.
A tough morning for all it seems.
A tough morning for all it seems.
Here’s an angler who might show us a little something.
Here’s an angler who might show us a little something.
John Cox loads up.
John Cox loads up.
Another keeper, but still no big ones.
Another keeper, but still no big ones.
Co-angler Mike Joint flips one in the boat, but it’s of the wrong variety.
Co-angler Mike Joint flips one in the boat, but it’s of the wrong variety.
Gary Clouse has three in the boat so far.
Gary Clouse has three in the boat so far.
Still looking for a big bite though.
Still looking for a big bite though.
Clouse changes things up.
Clouse changes things up.
Grayson Smith fishes his way through a field of arrowheads, one of the tell-tale signs you’re in an area with hard bottom. Hard bottom makes for a good spawning area for Florida bass.
Grayson Smith fishes his way through a field of arrowheads, one of the tell-tale signs you’re in an area with hard bottom. Hard bottom makes for a good spawning area for Florida bass.
Grayson searches for No. 5.
Grayson searches for No. 5.
Florida cold fronts have several anglers perplexed this week.
Florida cold fronts have several anglers perplexed this week.
We find Chris Lane down on Lake Kissimmee.
We find Chris Lane down on Lake Kissimmee.
Lane’s catching lots of fish, but unable to find any with size to them.
Lane’s catching lots of fish, but unable to find any with size to them.
But Lane knows, the bite that can separate him from the pack could come on any pitch.
But Lane knows, the bite that can separate him from the pack could come on any pitch.
Another bite.
Another bite.
Not POW-worthy.
Not POW-worthy.