Bird’s eye view of Top 12

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Come along and take an aerial tour of what at the time was the Top 12 anglers early on Championship Sunday, at the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk.
Come along and take an aerial tour of what at the time was the Top 12 anglers early on Championship Sunday, at the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk.
The first stop is on the west shore, where a large flotilla of spectators watched Hank Cherry. That’s him fishing on the left side of the inundated point.
The first stop is on the west shore, where a large flotilla of spectators watched Hank Cherry. That’s him fishing on the left side of the inundated point.
Cherry later moved, bringing with him the floating gallery to an area being fished by Chris Jones, with his fans in tow.
Cherry later moved, bringing with him the floating gallery to an area being fished by Chris Jones, with his fans in tow.
Cherry, at left, and Jones, to the right, fished near each other before Cherry left the area, leaving it to Jones.
Cherry, at left, and Jones, to the right, fished near each other before Cherry left the area, leaving it to Jones.
Nearby was Matt Arey, in the hunt for the lead, which he took when this photo was taken.
Nearby was Matt Arey, in the hunt for the lead, which he took when this photo was taken.
Not far away was Arey’s running mate, Scott Canterbury.
Not far away was Arey’s running mate, Scott Canterbury.
Justin Kerr, fishing a creek on the west shore, is the next stop on the tour.
Justin Kerr, fishing a creek on the west shore, is the next stop on the tour.
Far back in a creek was Drew Cook, flipping and pitching to flooded shoreline cover.
Far back in a creek was Drew Cook, flipping and pitching to flooded shoreline cover.
Fishing near Ray Roberts Marina was Chris Johnston, using a punch rig in the heavy cover.
Fishing near Ray Roberts Marina was Chris Johnston, using a punch rig in the heavy cover.
Fishing the marina entrance, and the tire reef protecting it, was Brandon Palaniuk.
Fishing the marina entrance, and the tire reef protecting it, was Brandon Palaniuk.
Palaniuk had one eye focused on his forward-facing sonar, while he was using a drop shot to catch his fish.
Palaniuk had one eye focused on his forward-facing sonar, while he was using a drop shot to catch his fish.
Patrick Walters’ day turned into a run-and-gun pattern. Here was his next stop.
Patrick Walters’ day turned into a run-and-gun pattern. Here was his next stop.
Todd Auten was fishing this area of mixed water near a campground.
Todd Auten was fishing this area of mixed water near a campground.
Last but not least, was Steve Kennedy, appropriately fishing over a submerged church foundation, on Championship Sunday.
Last but not least, was Steve Kennedy, appropriately fishing over a submerged church foundation, on Championship Sunday.