Following the Elites in Sturgeon Bay

Follow the pros who stayed in Sturgeon Bay on Day 1 of the Toyota Angler of the Year Championship.

I didn't have to go far from the takeoff site to find plenty of Elite anglers trying their luck in the morning in Sturgeon Bay, such as Brett Hite.
I didn’t have to go far from the takeoff site to find plenty of Elite anglers trying their luck in the morning in Sturgeon Bay, such as Brett Hite.
Many would leave for bigger water, but I stayed in the Bay and looked for some fish catching action. Scott Rook would be a familiar face to me.
Many would leave for bigger water, but I stayed in the Bay and looked for some fish catching action. Scott Rook would be a familiar face to me.
It turns out most of the field left the bay, including Mike Iaconelli.
It turns out most of the field left the bay, including Mike Iaconelli.
See ya, Ike.
See ya, Ike.
Jason Christie left as soon as I arrived.
Jason Christie left as soon as I arrived.
This seemed to be a trend. Jeff Kriet pulled that trolling motor the second I arrived.
This seemed to be a trend. Jeff Kriet pulled that trolling motor the second I arrived.
Kriet fished closer than most the field, though.
Kriet fished closer than most the field, though.
At least Randy Howell will keep me company.
At least Randy Howell will keep me company.
He didn't have five fish, he was just saying hello.
He didn’t have five fish, he was just saying hello.
Scott Rook stayed behind as well.
Scott Rook stayed behind as well.
James Elam was close by and provided some excitement.
James Elam was close by and provided some excitement.
A fish!
A fish!
I need to see a fish today, please!
I need to see a fish today, please!
And there we go.
And there we go.
James' Marshal gets a picture.
James’ Marshal gets a picture.
The Marshal goes for the over-the-phone grip. A rare, but effective way to steady your phone.
The Marshal goes for the over-the-phone grip. A rare, but effective way to steady your phone.
James shows off his catch. I hate to spoil this gallery, but this is the only fish I saw today.
James shows off his catch. I hate to spoil this gallery, but this is the only fish I saw today.
James didn't know this, of course. He got his raingear off quickly...
James didn’t know this, of course. He got his raingear off quickly…
...and started casting seconds later.
…and started casting seconds later.
Cliff Pirch comes into view...
Cliff Pirch comes into view…
...and sees that Elam is on a spot he'd like to fish.
…and sees that Elam is on a spot he’d like to fish.
James pays him no mind.
James pays him no mind.
And finds another fish!
And finds another fish!
But I've already let you know- this one got away.
But I’ve already let you know- this one got away.
Oh hey, it's Davy Hite!
Oh hey, it’s Davy Hite!
Talk about an all-star boat over there- Shaye Baker shoots a BassCam with Dave Mercer and Davy Hite.
Talk about an all-star boat over there- Shaye Baker shoots a BassCam with Dave Mercer and Davy Hite.
James keeps fishing.
James keeps fishing.
A worker at the docks walks by to check out James.
A worker at the docks walks by to check out James.
We leave him still looking for more.
We leave him still looking for more.
And find our old friends Scott Rook...
And find our old friends Scott Rook…
...and Randy Howell.
…and Randy Howell.
They were sharing water around this buoy.
They were sharing water around this buoy.
Randy finds a fish!
Randy finds a fish!
That decides to not stay on.
That decides to not stay on.
The angry, furious reeling leaves a splash or two.
The angry, furious reeling leaves a splash or two.
Rook moves on.
Rook moves on.
Randy stays on what I believe to be a cursed buoy.
Randy stays on what I believe to be a cursed buoy.
He tries the docks next to the bridge...
He tries the docks next to the bridge…
...and under.
…and under.
You should probably go check out the BassCam page. I saw these guys shooting them all morning.
You should probably go check out the BassCam page. I saw these guys shooting them all morning.
Lots of watchers on the shore in Sturgeon Bay.
Lots of watchers on the shore in Sturgeon Bay.
Randy still works the bridge.
Randy still works the bridge.
The Coast Guard idles by with James Elam in the background.
The Coast Guard idles by with James Elam in the background.
We find Cliff Pirch.
We find Cliff Pirch.
No Cliff! Not you too!
No Cliff! Not you too!
We are going to follow along.
We are going to follow along.
This looks familiar. Remember when Cliff stopped by Elam's spot earlier? Looks like he waited until James was gone to try his luck.
This looks familiar. Remember when Cliff stopped by Elam’s spot earlier? Looks like he waited until James was gone to try his luck.
I call this
I call this “Birds and Crane”. It’s a working title.
Morizo Shimizu speeds by.
Morizo Shimizu speeds by.
Cliff fishes all the familiar spots that we watched Elam try.
Cliff fishes all the familiar spots that we watched Elam try.
He has one bite, but nothing in the boat (at least while we watched).
He has one bite, but nothing in the boat (at least while we watched).
That feature behind him, by the way. That's not a wall.
That feature behind him, by the way. That’s not a wall.
It's a boat.
It’s a boat.
These things are huge.
These things are huge.
On the way back I see a happy dog...
On the way back I see a happy dog…
...and Morizo Shimizu fishing the bridge.
…and Morizo Shimizu fishing the bridge.
Morizo is always in a good mood.
Morizo is always in a good mood.
We leave him under the bridge and head in to get ready for the weigh-in.
We leave him under the bridge and head in to get ready for the weigh-in.