High School Championship: Day 1

Posted on
Day 1 of the Costa Bassmaster High School National Championship presented by DICK'S Sporting Goods got off to a windy start as a storm system eventually passed through the area of Kentucky Lake.
Day 1 of the Costa Bassmaster High School National Championship presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods got off to a windy start as a storm system eventually passed through the area of Kentucky Lake.
The Arizona team of Tyler Dearman and Marlin Paschal looked to get off to a fast start, but it was tough conditions for the field of 230 teams.
The Arizona team of Tyler Dearman and Marlin Paschal looked to get off to a fast start, but it was tough conditions for the field of 230 teams.
Paschal chunks a bait onto an offshore spot.
Paschal chunks a bait onto an offshore spot.
As does Dearman.
As does Dearman.
The Kansas duo of Zach Vielhauer and Remington Wagner were tucked into a calm pocket fishing shallow.
The Kansas duo of Zach Vielhauer and Remington Wagner were tucked into a calm pocket fishing shallow.
They had two keepers in the boat early on Thursday morning.
They had two keepers in the boat early on Thursday morning.
But the wind had amped itself up and was crashing in on the shallow shorelines.
But the wind had amped itself up and was crashing in on the shallow shorelines.
The main lake was hard to fish with the wind and waves, but some teams tried to stick it out and make it work.
The main lake was hard to fish with the wind and waves, but some teams tried to stick it out and make it work.
Colton Williams and Chance Taylor of Alabama hooked up and was looking to land their first keeper.
Colton Williams and Chance Taylor of Alabama hooked up and was looking to land their first keeper.
It surged at the boat as Chance Taylor when for the net.
It surged at the boat as Chance Taylor when for the net.
Taylor scoops the fish and brings it in.
Taylor scoops the fish and brings it in.
Keeper number one was a solid fish for the teammates.
Keeper number one was a solid fish for the teammates.
Meanwhile a couple hundred yards away there were multiple teams trying to fish an offshore bar.
Meanwhile a couple hundred yards away there were multiple teams trying to fish an offshore bar.
They kept their distance as best as possible as they fished the offshore area.
They kept their distance as best as possible as they fished the offshore area.
I spotted Opens pro Brent Bonadona's boat across the lake and went to check out how his son Michael and teammate Trent Trullier were doing.
I spotted Opens pro Brent Bonadona’s boat across the lake and went to check out how his son Michael and teammate Trent Trullier were doing.
They had a 5-fish limit in the boat and were barely concealed from the wind.
They had a 5-fish limit in the boat and were barely concealed from the wind.
Bonadona heaves out his lure of choice.
Bonadona heaves out his lure of choice.
Coach Bonadona called a timeout and was able to teach the kids and give advice as long as they didn't continue fishing during the timeout.
Coach Bonadona called a timeout and was able to teach the kids and give advice as long as they didn’t continue fishing during the timeout.
After I took off I found another Louisiana team.
After I took off I found another Louisiana team.
They had company at their spot, but not other anglers.
They had company at their spot, but not other anglers.
Jacob Tarpley and Keigan Maturin had two keepers in the boat and were looking for a couple more.
Jacob Tarpley and Keigan Maturin had two keepers in the boat and were looking for a couple more.
Meanwhile this angler was hanging around their area, which is often a good sign.
Meanwhile this angler was hanging around their area, which is often a good sign.
They headed out to their next area and as they did...
They headed out to their next area and as they did…
...a wall of rain rolled in.
…a wall of rain rolled in.
As I headed away from the rain I found a team fishing offshore.
As I headed away from the rain I found a team fishing offshore.
One angler hooked up with a white bass, while the other was hooked up too.
One angler hooked up with a white bass, while the other was hooked up too.
But this anglers fish was a bass.
But this anglers fish was a bass.
Solid fish for this team.
Solid fish for this team.
After drifting down their ledge because of the wind they went back to the spot by way of the big motor.
After drifting down their ledge because of the wind they went back to the spot by way of the big motor.
Meanwhile other teams were changing spots too.
Meanwhile other teams were changing spots too.
The Alabama duo of Grayson Hanson and Blayne Gunnells were facing directly into the wind and waves, but their Minn Kota Ultrex was keeping them on their spot.
The Alabama duo of Grayson Hanson and Blayne Gunnells were facing directly into the wind and waves, but their Minn Kota Ultrex was keeping them on their spot.
You can see just how rough it was getting as Albert Collins and his Texas team went airborne changing spots.
You can see just how rough it was getting as Albert Collins and his Texas team went airborne changing spots.
The trolling motor was putting in some heavy work.
The trolling motor was putting in some heavy work.
Waves crashed on the rocks and bounced right back towards the main lake.
Waves crashed on the rocks and bounced right back towards the main lake.
They had enough of that and took off to their next spot.
They had enough of that and took off to their next spot.