Classic: Day 1 with Palaniuk, Pace and Herren

Head out on the water to catch up with the anglers as they start Day 1 of the 2015 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro.

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We head out on the water to catch up with contenders as they start Day 1 competition of the Bassmaster Classic. Looks like there's someone back there.
We head out on the water to catch up with contenders as they start Day 1 competition of the Bassmaster Classic. Looks like there’s someone back there.
Brandon Palaniuk peeps through the docks.
Brandon Palaniuk peeps through the docks.
Palaniuk takes time to pitch to every rail as he works his way from behind the dock.
Palaniuk takes time to pitch to every rail as he works his way from behind the dock.
Something on the graph grabs Palaniuk's attention.
Something on the graph grabs Palaniuk’s attention.
Under the dock you go.
Under the dock you go.
Palaniuk, like the rest of the anglers, is fighting the elements this morning.
Palaniuk, like the rest of the anglers, is fighting the elements this morning.
Palaniuk tries to defrost the ice in his guides.
Palaniuk tries to defrost the ice in his guides.
Friends and family arrive on the scene.
Friends and family arrive on the scene.
Palaniuk had planned to fish this stretch of docks this morning, he just planned on having a little more luck on his side.
Palaniuk had planned to fish this stretch of docks this morning, he just planned on having a little more luck on his side.
Just a little added pressure
Just a little added pressure
Something catches Palaniuk's eye.
Something catches Palaniuk’s eye.
Unfortunately, if you skip enough docks, you'll eventually get hung.
Unfortunately, if you skip enough docks, you’ll eventually get hung.
Working on that 3D with the GoPros.
Working on that 3D with the GoPros.
Palaniuk continues to battle the ice.
Palaniuk continues to battle the ice.
Coming at you.
Coming at you.
Palaniuk keeps one eye on the graph, ready to drop his bait caster and pick up his spinning rod if something intrigues him.
Palaniuk keeps one eye on the graph, ready to drop his bait caster and pick up his spinning rod if something intrigues him.
Cast...
Cast…
...cast...
…cast…
...hung. Had to work a little to get to this one.
…hung. Had to work a little to get to this one.
Palaniuk double checks something on his back graph.
Palaniuk double checks something on his back graph.
Another cast sails between two boats.
Another cast sails between two boats.
Palaniuk blows on his reel in hopes of loosing it up.
Palaniuk blows on his reel in hopes of loosing it up.
To combat the ice, Palaniuk dowses his rod in the 47 degree water.
To combat the ice, Palaniuk dowses his rod in the 47 degree water.
Another pitch to the docks.
Another pitch to the docks.
After every 15-20 casts, Palaniuk has to again pluck the ice from his rod guides.
After every 15-20 casts, Palaniuk has to again pluck the ice from his rod guides.
Brandon Palaniuk makes a move to an offshore hump.
Brandon Palaniuk makes a move to an offshore hump.
Keeping an eye peeled for any sign of life.
Keeping an eye peeled for any sign of life.
Spectators hang tight with Palaniuk.
Spectators hang tight with Palaniuk.
A little more casting, this time with a jerkbait.
A little more casting, this time with a jerkbait.
...
…
Calm so far this morning. That should all change by tomorrow.
Calm so far this morning. That should all change by tomorrow.
Another heave of the jerkbait.
Another heave of the jerkbait.
Mostly casting this morning...
Mostly casting this morning…
... we've yet to see Palaniuk set the hook.
… we’ve yet to see Palaniuk set the hook.
Palaniuk also smacks the rod butt periodically to try and rattle the ice loose.
Palaniuk also smacks the rod butt periodically to try and rattle the ice loose.
Time to make another move.
Time to make another move.
Buff up...
Buff up…
...gloves on.
…gloves on.
Where to next?
Where to next?
Away you go.
Away you go.
Cliff Pace comes cruising up about the time Palaniuk planes off.
Cliff Pace comes cruising up about the time Palaniuk planes off.
Pace works slowly while he's fishing.
Pace works slowly while he’s fishing.
But when he relocates, he does so quickly.
But when he relocates, he does so quickly.
No need to raise the trolling motor, not going far.
No need to raise the trolling motor, not going far.
Pace is back at it.
Pace is back at it.
Employing a similar strategy as he did when he won the 2012 Classic in Tulsa.
Employing a similar strategy as he did when he won the 2012 Classic in Tulsa.
Pace lets his jig sail...
Pace lets his jig sail…
...
…
...
…
...
…
Mostly casting for Cliff Pace this morning as well.
Mostly casting for Cliff Pace this morning as well.
A little chilly this morning. Forecast only calls for a high of 33.
A little chilly this morning. Forecast only calls for a high of 33.
Pace has seen enough, or not quite enough rather.
Pace has seen enough, or not quite enough rather.
Time to make a move.
Time to make a move.
Safety first.
Safety first.
Got to keep the wind off of you as much as possible out here.
Got to keep the wind off of you as much as possible out here.
Pace heads out.
Pace heads out.
Matt Herren works a bait vertically.
Matt Herren works a bait vertically.
Fish on.
Fish on.
Herren brings the fish close to the boat.
Herren brings the fish close to the boat.
In you go.
In you go.
As you can see here, the wind is nearly non-exsistent. A stark contrast from the 30-40 MPH guts from practice.
As you can see here, the wind is nearly non-exsistent. A stark contrast from the 30-40 MPH guts from practice.
The icicles on the take-off dock are still holding steady.
The icicles on the take-off dock are still holding steady.