2016 Toyota Texas Fest

Toyota Texas Bass Classic Pro-Am

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Before official competition begins tomorrow, the first event of the Toyota Texas Bass Classic was a Pro-Am held this morning on Lake Ray Hubbard.
Before official competition begins tomorrow, the first event of the Toyota Texas Bass Classic was a Pro-Am held this morning on Lake Ray Hubbard.
The event was hosted by the Bass Pro Shop in Garland, Texas.
The event was hosted by the Bass Pro Shop in Garland, Texas.
Gift bags awaited all the amateurs.
Gift bags awaited all the amateurs.
Breakfast was served for everybody. The first three Bassmaster Elite Series pros to arrive were Bill Lowen, Brandon Palaniuk and Alton Jones.
Breakfast was served for everybody. The first three Bassmaster Elite Series pros to arrive were Bill Lowen, Brandon Palaniuk and Alton Jones.
Among the amateur fishermen that would be paired with one of the pros, was country music artist Eric Paslay. (Pictured here in the brown cap).
Among the amateur fishermen that would be paired with one of the pros, was country music artist Eric Paslay. (Pictured here in the brown cap).
The awards that would be given out at the end of the day.
The awards that would be given out at the end of the day.
Eric Paslay was paired with Bassmaster Elite Series pro Terry Scroggins.
Eric Paslay was paired with Bassmaster Elite Series pro Terry Scroggins.
Bassmaster Elite Series emcee Dave Mercer welcomed everybody to the 10th Toyota Texas Bass Classic.
Bassmaster Elite Series emcee Dave Mercer welcomed everybody to the 10th Toyota Texas Bass Classic.
Camera man Wes Miller mic'd-up both Paslay and Scroggins before they left to fish. Miller followed the pair this morning on Lake Ray Hubbard.
Camera man Wes Miller mic’d-up both Paslay and Scroggins before they left to fish. Miller followed the pair this morning on Lake Ray Hubbard.
Terry Scroggins introduced Paslay to his Team Toyota teammate, Gerald Swindle.
Terry Scroggins introduced Paslay to his Team Toyota teammate, Gerald Swindle.
There was a delay for lightning this morning, but after a few minutes the anglers were told it was safe to begin fishing.
There was a delay for lightning this morning, but after a few minutes the anglers were told it was safe to begin fishing.
However, it was still raining, and lucky for Paslay, Scroggins had an extra rainsuit in the boat.
However, it was still raining, and lucky for Paslay, Scroggins had an extra rainsuit in the boat.
Pros and their amateur partners head out on the lake.
Pros and their amateur partners head out on the lake.
Scroggins and Paslay ran straight for the dam to fish the riprap along the shoreline.
Scroggins and Paslay ran straight for the dam to fish the riprap along the shoreline.
Scroggins quickly put the first fish in the boat...
Scroggins quickly put the first fish in the boat…
...one that failed to meet the minimum length limit.
…one that failed to meet the minimum length limit.
And quickly another...
And quickly another…
...that had to be thrown back.
…that had to be thrown back.
Eric Paslay will soon release his sophomore album.
Eric Paslay will soon release his sophomore album.
He released his album, 'High Class' in October of 2015.
He released his album, ‘High Class’ in October of 2015.
The album included the song 'She Don't Love You', was nominated by the Academy of Country Music as 'Song of the Year'.
The album included the song ‘She Don’t Love You’, was nominated by the Academy of Country Music as ‘Song of the Year’.
He and Scroggins had a bit of a grind trying to catch a keeper fish...
He and Scroggins had a bit of a grind trying to catch a keeper fish…
...until this fish came into the boat.
…until this fish came into the boat.
Scroggins told Paslay this was a keeper...
Scroggins told Paslay this was a keeper…
...which earned a fist-bump from his partner.
…which earned a fist-bump from his partner.
The Pro-Am used the same format that will be used when the TTBC kicks off tomorrow. All fish are weighed with a BoganPro scale...
The Pro-Am used the same format that will be used when the TTBC kicks off tomorrow. All fish are weighed with a BoganPro scale…
...then immediately released.
…then immediately released.
The weight of fish is recorded after it is weighed.
The weight of fish is recorded after it is weighed.
Though the wind had picked up with the passing front, Scroggins kept the team on the move looking for active fish.
Though the wind had picked up with the passing front, Scroggins kept the team on the move looking for active fish.
They would make a few casts in an area...
They would make a few casts in an area…
...then move again.
…then move again.
The only time they slowed was when Scroggins idled across an area looking for schools of fish on his electronics.
The only time they slowed was when Scroggins idled across an area looking for schools of fish on his electronics.
The team was plagued with small fish most of the morning.
The team was plagued with small fish most of the morning.
Scroggins looks on as Paslay hooks up with his first fish of the day.
Scroggins looks on as Paslay hooks up with his first fish of the day.
You could tell the native Texan knew how to fish...
You could tell the native Texan knew how to fish…
He was proficient with spinning tackle or a baitcaster.
He was proficient with spinning tackle or a baitcaster.
And he knew how to hold them up for the camera.
And he knew how to hold them up for the camera.
The pair spent the morning talking fishing and their respective careers.
The pair spent the morning talking fishing and their respective careers.
Tomorrow night at the site of the daily weigh in at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, Paslay will perform live, followed by Big and Rich.
Tomorrow night at the site of the daily weigh in at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, Paslay will perform live, followed by Big and Rich.
The team finished their day fishing near the launch area...
The team finished their day fishing near the launch area…
...as the wind built stronger and stronger.
…as the wind built stronger and stronger.
At times the waves crashed over the bow of the boat.
At times the waves crashed over the bow of the boat.
After checking in at the end of the day, Paslay posed for photos with several competitors, including Kevin VanDam.
After checking in at the end of the day, Paslay posed for photos with several competitors, including Kevin VanDam.
Kelly Jordan and Edwin Evers are here this week, too.
Kelly Jordan and Edwin Evers are here this week, too.
Paslay showed us a picture of himself on his phone. He said he went from looking a bit like Tom Sawyer, to being occasionally mistaken for Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Paslay showed us a picture of himself on his phone. He said he went from looking a bit like Tom Sawyer, to being occasionally mistaken for Dale Earnhardt Jr.
There was a short awards ceremony at the end of the Pro-Am. Dean Rojas caught today’s biggest bass weighing 8-pounds.
There was a short awards ceremony at the end of the Pro-Am. Dean Rojas caught today’s biggest bass weighing 8-pounds.
Luke Clausen and his partner Steve Brooks won the team competition with 16 pounds, 8 ounces.
Luke Clausen and his partner Steve Brooks won the team competition with 16 pounds, 8 ounces.

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