Opens: Day 1 on Ross Barnett

Competition begins as the Central Opens anglers head out on Ross Barnett Reservoir.

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Competition begins as the Central Open anglers head out on Ross Barnett Reservoir. Corey Stanley is covering water early like most of the guys we've seen. Looking to capitalize on the front, ChatterBaits and spinnerbaits have been the predominate bait of choice for anglers this morning.
Competition begins as the Central Open anglers head out on Ross Barnett Reservoir. Corey Stanley is covering water early like most of the guys we’ve seen. Looking to capitalize on the front, ChatterBaits and spinnerbaits have been the predominate bait of choice for anglers this morning.
Stanley is focused on the task at hand.
Stanley is focused on the task at hand.
Anglers are already starting to group up this morning.
Anglers are already starting to group up this morning.
Swift hook set.
Swift hook set.
This one nearly hits the co-angler.
This one nearly hits the co-angler.
Not big enough, this one has to go back.
Not big enough, this one has to go back.
On to the next one.
On to the next one.
Here comes another angler down the docks.
Here comes another angler down the docks.
Nothing doing. Time to make a move.
Nothing doing. Time to make a move.
Some anglers work close to vegetation...
Some anglers work close to vegetation…
... picking every stalk clean.
… picking every stalk clean.
They take no wake zones serious, dead serious.
They take no wake zones serious, dead serious.
Cody Salzmann with a couple good ones this morning.
Cody Salzmann with a couple good ones this morning.
Salzmann makes his way around to another spot.
Salzmann makes his way around to another spot.
Gerald Spohrer passes by.
Gerald Spohrer passes by.
Luke Clausen makes his way down the bank.
Luke Clausen makes his way down the bank.
Clausen has caught one and lost one, and has a 2-1/2 pound spot in the well.
Clausen has caught one and lost one, and has a 2-1/2 pound spot in the well.
A little competition on the bank.
A little competition on the bank.
Clausen continues on in pursuit of keeper number two.
Clausen continues on in pursuit of keeper number two.
Andrew Slegona started the year with 31-2 on Toho on Day 1. A three-day weight of 31-2 would be a solid performance out of Selgona here.
Andrew Slegona started the year with 31-2 on Toho on Day 1. A three-day weight of 31-2 would be a solid performance out of Selgona here.
Working for it.
Working for it.
Several anglers are working the plentiful rip-rap on Ross Barnett this morning.
Several anglers are working the plentiful rip-rap on Ross Barnett this morning.
'You see how many people they have in that truck?'
‘You see how many people they have in that truck?’
Load up...
Load up…
... and unleash.
… and unleash.
Taylor Ramey working a shallow flat.
Taylor Ramey working a shallow flat.
Ramey heaves a soft plastic.
Ramey heaves a soft plastic.
Working slow with his rod tip high, Ramey works meticulously in pursuit of his first.
Working slow with his rod tip high, Ramey works meticulously in pursuit of his first.
On to the next cast.
On to the next cast.
Getting crowded on the dock...
Getting crowded on the dock…
... and on the water this morning.
… and on the water this morning.
Although there are several boats in this area, everyone has their own little piece of the pie, and things seem fairly amiable for now.
Although there are several boats in this area, everyone has their own little piece of the pie, and things seem fairly amiable for now.
Bassmaster Elite Series rookie Jordan Lee works a patch of pad stems nearby.
Bassmaster Elite Series rookie Jordan Lee works a patch of pad stems nearby.
Lee unloads.
Lee unloads.
Cast after cast, Lee works through this area slow and steady.
Cast after cast, Lee works through this area slow and steady.
Got one.
Got one.
This one is tugging hard, burying itself in the pad stems.
This one is tugging hard, burying itself in the pad stems.
Suddenly the line goes limp.
Suddenly the line goes limp.
Lee drops his Power-Poles...
Lee drops his Power-Poles…
... and tries to regroup.
… and tries to regroup.
Back up and after it. The loss was a little frustrating, but Lee has four solid fish in the boat and is pleased with how the morning is going so far.
Back up and after it. The loss was a little frustrating, but Lee has four solid fish in the boat and is pleased with how the morning is going so far.
Scott Barnett boats a small fish in the distance.
Scott Barnett boats a small fish in the distance.
We leave Jordan Lee who's still casting away, and head over to catch up with the guy who's on numbers, Scott Barnett.
We leave Jordan Lee who’s still casting away, and head over to catch up with the guy who’s on numbers, Scott Barnett.
Barnett has caught several small fish from this area and has a limit.
Barnett has caught several small fish from this area and has a limit.
Barnett hooks up again.
Barnett hooks up again.
This may be a bigger one.
This may be a bigger one.
Time to see what he's got.
Time to see what he’s got.
Not a big one...
Not a big one…
... but another bite nonetheless.
… but another bite nonetheless.
Time to go after another one.
Time to go after another one.
Here we go again!
Here we go again!
He doesn't look impressed.
He doesn’t look impressed.
Come on in.
Come on in.
Another small keeper for Barnett.
Another small keeper for Barnett.
...
…
Time to cull.
Time to cull.
Jacob Wheeler enters the area.
Jacob Wheeler enters the area.
Barnett throws a look at Wheeler as he blows by.
Barnett throws a look at Wheeler as he blows by.
Time to get back after it.
Time to get back after it.
We leave Barnett looking for an upgrade.
We leave Barnett looking for an upgrade.
Tyler Carriere works another little patch of pad stems in this same area on the north end of the lake.
Tyler Carriere works another little patch of pad stems in this same area on the north end of the lake.
More of the same, a lot of casting between bites.
More of the same, a lot of casting between bites.
Randy Allen enters the arena.
Randy Allen enters the arena.
Carriere keeps his eye on the ball.
Carriere keeps his eye on the ball.
Roy Sanford makes repetitive casts into the mouth of a backwater.
Roy Sanford makes repetitive casts into the mouth of a backwater.