Up close at Chickamauga

Get up close with BASSfest anglers on the water on Day 1 at Chickamauga Lake.

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Kota Kiriyama began Day 1 of competition on Chickamauga Lake by targeting fish in shallowish water.
Kota Kiriyama began Day 1 of competition on Chickamauga Lake by targeting fish in shallowish water.
He gets one right away.
He gets one right away.
A good start!
A good start!
Kiriyama's area would become inundated with anglers shortly.
Kiriyama’s area would become inundated with anglers shortly.
Fifty yards away, Tommy Biffle lifts a whale into his Ranger.
Fifty yards away, Tommy Biffle lifts a whale into his Ranger.
He hoists it aboard...
He hoists it aboard…
...where he shows it to the camera.
…where he shows it to the camera.
Who wouldn't be grinning after landing a monster like that?
Who wouldn’t be grinning after landing a monster like that?
His Ranger has a custom kick panel on the port side.
His Ranger has a custom kick panel on the port side.
Also nearby, Chad Morgenthaler fights a fish to the boat...
Also nearby, Chad Morgenthaler fights a fish to the boat…
...it's a good one!
…it’s a good one!
But it's the wrong species.
But it’s the wrong species.
Morgenthaler keeps his Phoenix nice and neat on tournament day.
Morgenthaler keeps his Phoenix nice and neat on tournament day.
Here's what he's got on deck.
Here’s what he’s got on deck.
And on the other side are a pair of topwaters.
And on the other side are a pair of topwaters.
Morgenthaler's Marshal relaxes while Chad goes to work.
Morgenthaler’s Marshal relaxes while Chad goes to work.
He gets another bite!
He gets another bite!
This time, it is a bass... but it's a small keeper.
This time, it is a bass… but it’s a small keeper.
Across the way is Justin Lucas.
Across the way is Justin Lucas.
Lucas was ready for a lot of different situations with numerous Abu Garcia rods and reels.
Lucas was ready for a lot of different situations with numerous Abu Garcia rods and reels.
In rougher water, we find Brandon Palaniuk.
In rougher water, we find Brandon Palaniuk.
He's got a smattering of lures at the ready.
He’s got a smattering of lures at the ready.
His Humminbird 360 shows plenty of bass and bait, but like always, the challenge was getting them to bite.
His Humminbird 360 shows plenty of bass and bait, but like always, the challenge was getting them to bite.
The waves make it difficult for him to focus on his presentation.
The waves make it difficult for him to focus on his presentation.
Well, do ya?
Well, do ya?
Still watching that graph. Pardon the raindrops on the camera lens.
Still watching that graph. Pardon the raindrops on the camera lens.
He's hooked up!
He’s hooked up!
It's a keeper...
It’s a keeper…
...and it goes in the well.
…and it goes in the well.
The school is fired up now!
The school is fired up now!
He battles a fish to the boat.
He battles a fish to the boat.
But it gets off!
But it gets off!
Nearby, Cliff Prince is on a tear.
Nearby, Cliff Prince is on a tear.
But most of his fish are this size.
But most of his fish are this size.
He swings another one aboard.
He swings another one aboard.
More baits and lures.
More baits and lures.
The last fish he caught fouled up his drop shot, so he needs to retie everything.
The last fish he caught fouled up his drop shot, so he needs to retie everything.
Aaron Martens and Prince were working together on the same school, and Martens plucks one from it.
Aaron Martens and Prince were working together on the same school, and Martens plucks one from it.
The south wind makes the waves a touch big.
The south wind makes the waves a touch big.
Martens hooks up again.
Martens hooks up again.
He hoists the fish into the boat.
He hoists the fish into the boat.
Chris Lane battles a fish offshore.
Chris Lane battles a fish offshore.
Aaron Martens is a master with a drop shot.
Aaron Martens is a master with a drop shot.
Here he sets the hook on what he thinks is a bass, but it turned out to be a stump.
Here he sets the hook on what he thinks is a bass, but it turned out to be a stump.