Sacramento registration

Elite series pros gather on the eve of competition on the Sacramento River.

Posted on
The first of the Marshals begin to arrive, ready to be paired with Elite Series pros for Day 1 of the Sacramento Bassmaster Elite at Sacramento River.
The first of the Marshals begin to arrive, ready to be paired with Elite Series pros for Day 1 of the Sacramento Bassmaster Elite at Sacramento River.
The pairings and final meeting were held at the Sleep Train Arena, home of the NBA’s Sacramento Kings.
The pairings and final meeting were held at the Sleep Train Arena, home of the NBA’s Sacramento Kings.
Elite Series pros had to take an elevator…
Elite Series pros had to take an elevator…
…to the nosebleed section of the arena for their final briefing.
…to the nosebleed section of the arena for their final briefing.
Smart move taking the elevator.
Smart move taking the elevator.
Who will dunk on whom this week?
Who will dunk on whom this week?
Sacramento Kings typically have top billing in the arena; this week it’s the Bassmaster Elite Series.
Sacramento Kings typically have top billing in the arena; this week it’s the Bassmaster Elite Series.
The anglers' briefing was dominated by concerns about navigation issues on the California Delta. Anglers gathered around maps trying to figure out the maze of water and all the existing rules and regulations.
The anglers’ briefing was dominated by concerns about navigation issues on the California Delta. Anglers gathered around maps trying to figure out the maze of water and all the existing rules and regulations.
A stack of maps and rules sheets were given to every angler. It’s expected that most of the field will make a long run south on the Sacramento River on Day 1.
A stack of maps and rules sheets were given to every angler. It’s expected that most of the field will make a long run south on the Sacramento River on Day 1.
John Crews displays his current California fishing license.
John Crews displays his current California fishing license.
Aaron Martens and Skeet Reese started their fishing careers in California. Even these two veterans of tournament wars on the Delta appeared to need a bit of clarity about some of the navigational issues they would face this week.
Aaron Martens and Skeet Reese started their fishing careers in California. Even these two veterans of tournament wars on the Delta appeared to need a bit of clarity about some of the navigational issues they would face this week.
There were several
There were several “meetings” going on before the actual meeting began.
David Williams followed the river south on Google Earth.
David Williams followed the river south on Google Earth.
Kevin LeDoux tried to make sense of it all.
Kevin LeDoux tried to make sense of it all.
Here’s the man who will clarify a lot of the questions anglers had about
Here’s the man who will clarify a lot of the questions anglers had about “no wake” zones, etc. – B.A.S.S. Tournament Director Trip Weldon.
And here’s a legend of West Coast fishing, John Murray.
And here’s a legend of West Coast fishing, John Murray.
This is the first trip west for many in the field, including Elite Series rookie Jordan Lee.
This is the first trip west for many in the field, including Elite Series rookie Jordan Lee.
Skeet Reese is coming to California with momentum from his win at the last Elite Series event held on Lake Guntersville. You know he would like to avenge his 2-ounce loss…
Skeet Reese is coming to California with momentum from his win at the last Elite Series event held on Lake Guntersville. You know he would like to avenge his 2-ounce loss…
…at the hands of this man, John Crews, the last time an Elite Series event was held on the California Delta, in 2010.
…at the hands of this man, John Crews, the last time an Elite Series event was held on the California Delta, in 2010.
Weldon gets the briefing underway.
Weldon gets the briefing underway.
After a few formalities he tells the group of anglers he knows they have a ton of questions about the legalities of running the Sacramento River, and these maps.
After a few formalities he tells the group of anglers he knows they have a ton of questions about the legalities of running the Sacramento River, and these maps.
Then he goes to the man with the rest of the answers, Deputy Guthrie with the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department Marine Enforcement.
Then he goes to the man with the rest of the answers, Deputy Guthrie with the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department Marine Enforcement.
The man with the answers takes the podium…
The man with the answers takes the podium…
…and definitely had everybody’s attention.
…and definitely had everybody’s attention.
After a very long meeting and with their questions answered, the Elite Series competitors made their way to the arena floor.
After a very long meeting and with their questions answered, the Elite Series competitors made their way to the arena floor.
There, a great meal awaited everybody.
There, a great meal awaited everybody.
They find a seat for the pairing process.
They find a seat for the pairing process.
The Elite Series field and Marshals are together for the first time.
The Elite Series field and Marshals are together for the first time.
After a long meeting, everybody was ready to be paired up and get something to eat.
After a long meeting, everybody was ready to be paired up and get something to eat.