Open: Day 1 on Smith Lake

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One of the first anglers we found on the water was William Hensley.
One of the first anglers we found on the water was William Hensley.
Hensley already had one good spotted bass in the livewell.
Hensley already had one good spotted bass in the livewell.
Terry Scroggins was fishing directly across from Hensley’s starting spot.
Terry Scroggins was fishing directly across from Hensley’s starting spot.
And so was Mark Rose.
And so was Mark Rose.
Scroggins didn’t stick around long…
Scroggins didn’t stick around long…
…before pulling the trolling motor to make a move.
…before pulling the trolling motor to make a move.
Jeff Kriet was putting together a very quick limit in the first hour.
Jeff Kriet was putting together a very quick limit in the first hour.
During a short period of time, Kriet was getting bit on literally every cast.
During a short period of time, Kriet was getting bit on literally every cast.
The following group of photos document Jeff Kriet’s morning onslaught on the spotted bass in Smith Lake.
The following group of photos document Jeff Kriet’s morning onslaught on the spotted bass in Smith Lake.
But Kriet wasn’t the only angler taking advantage of the early spotted bass bite.
But Kriet wasn’t the only angler taking advantage of the early spotted bass bite.
After watching Joey Nania reach into the livewell…
After watching Joey Nania reach into the livewell…
…and make a quick cull, it was obvious he had an early limit, too.
…and make a quick cull, it was obvious he had an early limit, too.
In sight of Nania, Alan Brooks was getting in on the fish catching action, too.
In sight of Nania, Alan Brooks was getting in on the fish catching action, too.
Joey Nania with two nice spotted bass that are so abundant in Smith Lake.
Joey Nania with two nice spotted bass that are so abundant in Smith Lake.
Meanwhile, Alan Brooks was setting the hook on another fish.
Meanwhile, Alan Brooks was setting the hook on another fish.
William Hensley fires a long cast…
William Hensley fires a long cast…
…and before his bait probably reached the bottom, was setting the hook on another fish.
…and before his bait probably reached the bottom, was setting the hook on another fish.
The fish was a small spotted bass that was no match for Hensley.
The fish was a small spotted bass that was no match for Hensley.
Nearby Josh Douglas was fighting a fish to the boat…
Nearby Josh Douglas was fighting a fish to the boat…
…and quickly snatched the fish…
…and quickly snatched the fish…
Some of America’s finest appeared to be on a training mission today on Smith Lake.
Some of America’s finest appeared to be on a training mission today on Smith Lake.
Josh Douglas works his boat under a dock cable.
Josh Douglas works his boat under a dock cable.
Co-angler Dan Taylor boats his first fish of the day.
Co-angler Dan Taylor boats his first fish of the day.
Smith Lake is one of the more scenic lakes on the Bassmaster schedule.
Smith Lake is one of the more scenic lakes on the Bassmaster schedule.
Ronnie Green heaves a cast near a waterfall entering the lake.
Ronnie Green heaves a cast near a waterfall entering the lake.
We found Trait Crist trying a spot in the back of a small feeder creek.
We found Trait Crist trying a spot in the back of a small feeder creek.
She was throwing large profile bait in an attempt to lure only bigger fish…
She was throwing large profile bait in an attempt to lure only bigger fish…
…and had a good laugh when a small spotted fish…
…and had a good laugh when a small spotted fish…
…attacked her bait.
…attacked her bait.
This man was fishing just like everybody in the tournament, but will burn much less gas today.
This man was fishing just like everybody in the tournament, but will burn much less gas today.
There are numerous beautiful homes built along the shoreline of Smith Lake, but this one may get the prize for the most architectural interest.
There are numerous beautiful homes built along the shoreline of Smith Lake, but this one may get the prize for the most architectural interest.
We found Jamey Caldwell with a bottle of dish washing detergent sitting on the front deck. Spraying dish washing detergent on the water will displace floating pollen while sight fishing.
We found Jamey Caldwell with a bottle of dish washing detergent sitting on the front deck. Spraying dish washing detergent on the water will displace floating pollen while sight fishing.
Caldwell had a limit of spotted bass, but felt he needed to spend the rest of his day trying to catch heavier largemouth bass.
Caldwell had a limit of spotted bass, but felt he needed to spend the rest of his day trying to catch heavier largemouth bass.
Josh Douglas fishes along the many miles of beautiful shoreline on Smith Lake.
Josh Douglas fishes along the many miles of beautiful shoreline on Smith Lake.