Big water, small fishing on Day 1

Day 1 begins on the A.R.E. Truck Caps Bassmaster Elite on Lake Okeechobee and we are immediately surrounded by Elite Series anglers like Aaron Martens.
Day 1 begins on the A.R.E. Truck Caps Bassmaster Elite on Lake Okeechobee and we are immediately surrounded by Elite Series anglers like Aaron Martens.
And Brian Snowden...
And Brian Snowden…
...who was fishing right next to Aaron. This trend would hold true for much of our time on the water. It's a huge lake, but the Elites focused on certain areas. It seemed like all of them.
…who was fishing right next to Aaron. This trend would hold true for much of our time on the water. It’s a huge lake, but the Elites focused on certain areas. It seemed like all of them.
Alton Jones, Sr.
Alton Jones, Sr.
Nearby was Alton Jones Jr.
Nearby was Alton Jones Jr.
Sr. would regularly put his anchors down...
Sr. would regularly put his anchors down…
...and have a look.
…and have a look.
Brandon Coulter and Bradley Roy were pretty close as well.
Brandon Coulter and Bradley Roy were pretty close as well.
Chris Lane, who did quite well here in 2012, is looking to start his season off right.
Chris Lane, who did quite well here in 2012, is looking to start his season off right.
Todd Faircloth is always a threat.
Todd Faircloth is always a threat.
He had some spectators as well.
He had some spectators as well.
Welcome to Okeechobee...
Welcome to Okeechobee…
...where the Elites are not hard to find.
…where the Elites are not hard to find.
We found Justin Lucas...
We found Justin Lucas…
But he bailed on us.
But he bailed on us.
Russ Lane...
Russ Lane…
You have to learn to not take it personally.
You have to learn to not take it personally.
It was the kind of day where you look up and you're right back where you started. Aaron Martens, with Jonathon VanDam in the background
It was the kind of day where you look up and you’re right back where you started. Aaron Martens, with Jonathon VanDam in the background
For such a large body of water it was pretty remarkable how close the competitors were.
For such a large body of water it was pretty remarkable how close the competitors were.
I'm happy to report that Brandon Coulter ended a drought for us.
I’m happy to report that Brandon Coulter ended a drought for us.
He found a nice Okeechobee bass.
He found a nice Okeechobee bass.
On this lake, though, you have to want something more. But it's a keeper, for sure.
On this lake, though, you have to want something more. But it’s a keeper, for sure.
Cliff Prince...
Cliff Prince…
Takahiro Omori...
Takahiro Omori…
Brandon Palaniuk...
Brandon Palaniuk…
...and Luke Clausen.
…and Luke Clausen.
They were all pretty close.
They were all pretty close.
Jared Lintner in the background.
Jared Lintner in the background.
Garrick Dixon's drone gallery will go up soon. Here's a successful landing by our boat driver Bruce.
Garrick Dixon’s drone gallery will go up soon. Here’s a successful landing by our boat driver Bruce.
Matt Lee is on the move.
Matt Lee is on the move.
Chris Zaldain and Stephen Browning
Chris Zaldain and Stephen Browning
Not two minutes later, here's Stephen Browning and Brent Ehrler. It was that kind of day.
Not two minutes later, here’s Stephen Browning and Brent Ehrler. It was that kind of day.
I was a mile away as Brett Hite caught three fish in a row. This is the best shot of it, and yes, it makes me sad.
I was a mile away as Brett Hite caught three fish in a row. This is the best shot of it, and yes, it makes me sad.
Luckily, Chad Pipkens was closer.
Luckily, Chad Pipkens was closer.
He showed it to the drone but not me. C'mon, Chad!
He showed it to the drone but not me. C’mon, Chad!
On our way to dry land we find Jesse Tacoronte...
On our way to dry land we find Jesse Tacoronte…
...and finally Brett HIte. We missed him catching a 7-pounder. I don't want to talk about it.
…and finally Brett HIte. We missed him catching a 7-pounder. I don’t want to talk about it.