Day 1: From street to stage

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Randall Tharp was one of the first anglers to pull into Minute Maid Park for Day 1 weigh-in of the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK'S Sporting Goods.
Randall Tharp was one of the first anglers to pull into Minute Maid Park for Day 1 weigh-in of the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods.
Tharp pulls down the tunnel which leads to the outfield warning track of the Houston Astros stadium.
Tharp pulls down the tunnel which leads to the outfield warning track of the Houston Astros stadium.
Elite Series rookie Alton Jones Jr. had a decent day on Lake Conroe and was waiting to pull through the stadium.
Elite Series rookie Alton Jones Jr. had a decent day on Lake Conroe and was waiting to pull through the stadium.
“Cajun Baby” Cliff Crochet was next in line, and word from the water was he did very well.
He is all smiles, as he should be. He sits in 3rd place.
He is all smiles, as he should be. He sits in 3rd place.
Jason Williamson rolled through in his Toyota Tundra.
Jason Williamson rolled through in his Toyota Tundra.
He had his game face on and brought the heat - he had 4 fish for 17 pounds. The quantity wasn't there, but he certainly had quality.
He had his game face on and brought the heat – he had 4 fish for 17 pounds. The quantity wasn’t there, but he certainly had quality.
Dave Lefebre, who is in the Top 6 after Day 1, rolls up to Minute Maid Park.
Dave Lefebre, who is in the Top 6 after Day 1, rolls up to Minute Maid Park.
Gerald Swindle wasn't far behind and he had a GoPro set up to record the whole weigh-in process.
Gerald Swindle wasn’t far behind and he had a GoPro set up to record the whole weigh-in process.
Swindle didn't catch them like he wanted to, and is looking for a better day Saturday.
Swindle didn’t catch them like he wanted to, and is looking for a better day Saturday. “It just wasn’t my day today, everything I did seemed to produce a negative result. That’s just how it goes sometimes.”
The clouds turned to slight rain as more boats poured in from Lake Conroe in Houston, Texas. Matt Herren was next in line.
The clouds turned to slight rain as more boats poured in from Lake Conroe in Houston, Texas. Matt Herren was next in line.
Everything is bigger in Texas it seems, and that goes for the Bassmaster logo on a cowboy hat.
Everything is bigger in Texas it seems, and that goes for the Bassmaster logo on a cowboy hat.
The next angler hid from us momentarily, trying to be sneaky.
The next angler hid from us momentarily, trying to be sneaky.
Bassmaster Elite Series rookie Darrell Ocamica was enjoying his first GEICO Bassmaster Classic.
Bassmaster Elite Series rookie Darrell Ocamica was enjoying his first GEICO Bassmaster Classic.
Todd Faircloth was slated as one of the local guys that should do well.
Todd Faircloth was slated as one of the local guys that should do well.
He finds himself in 31st after catching 11 pounds on Day 1.
He finds himself in 31st after catching 11 pounds on Day 1.
Ish Monroe pulls through the tunnel and out into the open stadium to make his entrance.
Ish Monroe pulls through the tunnel and out into the open stadium to make his entrance.
The weigh-in stage was situated along the 3rd baseline, with photographers in the dugout and fans just behind them.
The weigh-in stage was situated along the 3rd baseline, with photographers in the dugout and fans just behind them.
Randall Tharp had some fans watching from afar.
Randall Tharp had some fans watching from afar.
Edwin Evers was one of the
Edwin Evers was one of the “Five Live” anglers on Day 1 and he fared well with 18 pounds, landing him in 13th place.
Boyd Duckett keeps his balance as his rig descends into the depths of the stadium.
Boyd Duckett keeps his balance as his rig descends into the depths of the stadium.
Jordan Lee arrived next.
Jordan Lee arrived next.
Hank Cherry was disappointed that he didn't catch 25 pounds on Day 1 on Conroe. The wind was a big factor for the anglers on Friday.
Hank Cherry was disappointed that he didn’t catch 25 pounds on Day 1 on Conroe. The wind was a big factor for the anglers on Friday.
The Texas flag on local angler Keith Combs' boat stands straight out from the high winds.
The Texas flag on local angler Keith Combs’ boat stands straight out from the high winds.
Justin Lucas arrives in style and also showed out today, wrapping the day in 14th with almost 18 pounds.
Justin Lucas arrives in style and also showed out today, wrapping the day in 14th with almost 18 pounds.
Bill Lowen only managed four fish, but looks to make the Top 25 cut after Saturday's competition day.
Bill Lowen only managed four fish, but looks to make the Top 25 cut after Saturday’s competition day.
Drew Benton waits in the boat yard to get pulled into the weigh-in. He signed a few autographs for fans while he waited.
Drew Benton waits in the boat yard to get pulled into the weigh-in. He signed a few autographs for fans while he waited.