College: Day One on Norman

Heavy pollen blanketed the water, creating a challenge for anglers on Lake Norman.

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Cameraman Brian Mason keeps an eye on his fellow bank goer while working hard to get the shot.
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UNC Charlotte starts on a bed fish they found during practice, but no luck. The rain from last night has muddied the water and made the fish invisible. 
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It doesn’t take long for UNC Charlotte to get on the board. 
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A solid fish to start the day. 
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 Brian Mason works to get the right angle. 
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With bed fish hidden under pollen and muddy water, UNC Charlotte employs an umbrella rig to try and catch cruisers. 
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Heave and retrieve. 
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 Docks dot Lake Norman and present tons of shoreline cover. 
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Heavy pollen blankets the water on Norman. 
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Visibility, zero.
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 NC State idles out of a marine and makes their way to a new spot. 
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UNC Charlotte’s Shane Lehew and Eric Self check another bed fish they found in practice but no one’s home. 
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 Set the hook! 
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A big one in the boat for UNC Charlotte. 
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This fish was spotted on bed Thursday, but caught while blind casting on tournament day. 
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Another one in the net. 
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 A solid keeper. 
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 Teamwork. Lehew strains to see a bed fish while Self holds the boat steady.
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All eyes on deck. Unfortunately, this one won’t lock on long enough to catch her. 
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Self getting in on the action. 
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Too short. 
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 Another bite for self. 
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 Another team works a dock nearby. 
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Making a move. 
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Right in the top of the mouth. 
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UNC Charlotte adds another nice keeper to the box.