Elite

Best of 2024: Elite takeoffs

Beautiful sunrises and touching moments are captured by photographer Andy Crawford as anglers prepare for launch.

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Photography by
Andy Crawford
My absolute favorite sunrise of the season has to be this one over Lake Champlain. You can see Vermont’s iconic Green Mountains on the horizon, and that sky was incredible! I shot this before the first angler showed up for launch. As I was packing away my tripod the first wave of pros arrived, and I started walking the line of boats. But I knew this would lead off the gallery.
Retired Bassmaster photographer James Overstreet has told me over and over that “the whole is made up of pieces. I look for the pieces.” And I’ve adopted that mantra as I ease around the busy launch, looking for small vignettes that help tell the story in macro.
Of course, showng the baits on anglers’ decks has to be a focus. I use a combination of available light — street lights, deck lights — and a small LED panel to light up my subject when it’s still dark.
This was one of my favorites from late in the season. When I looked down the deck of a boat and saw just the tail ends of several lures sticking up above the carpet.
Sometimes the apparent backup baits can be great subjects. I was looking around one of the pros’ boats when I found the hard baits arranged almost as if for a photo. I stood up on the boat trailer fender and shot straight down for this image.
I love to catch the anglers as they are rigging baits. Sometimes I get them to stop mid-rig, but often they don’t even know I’m there as they concentrate on getting their baits rigged perfectly.
Closeups really can tell big stories. Whether it’s the sleeve of Rick Clunn’s 50th Anniversary jersey, hands working on electronics and choosing rods or anglers working with Bassmaster photographer Dalton Tumblin on Top Lures, you get the idea of just how much is going on during launch.
I love sneaking around getting photos showing the intensity of the anglers, when they think they aren’t on camera. And there are few more intense than Greg Hackney.
This is when you see anglers deep in thought, working out last-minute plans in their minds.
What should be on the deck ready to go at the first stop? You can almost hear that thought going through Joey Cifuentes’ mind.
Trey McKinney always seems to be “on.” And it’s difficult to get photos of him with a big smile. But every now and then he doesn’t see me — and I get to a photograph showing that he has the same intensity as other pros.
Personalities also come out when anglers see the camera. Ben Milliken is always good for some kind of camera-friendly interaction.
The work never ends, and anglers have to take time to go on social media at the drop of a hat — even as they prep for the day on the water.
Quick: Who are the most intimidating anglers on tour? At the top of that list have to be Jason Christie and Greg Hackney. But turn the camera on them and they light up with big smiles.
Greg Hackney has one of the best smiles in the business, but once he’s done with the publicity the smile quickly disappears and he goes back to the intense shark his competitors know and fear.
Trey McKinney hates to have his photo taken when he first shows up at launch. Mainly because he’s a hot mess. He saw me trying to sneak a photo on this morning and was about to at least run his hands through his hair when I stopped him for a truly candid shot of one of the most heralded rookies in the history of the sport.
Who doesn’t love Taku? He’s proven he’s a force to be reckoned with after two Elite Series wins — but he’s done it with an infectious joy with which Bassmaster fans have fallen in love.
Try to get a photo of John Cox without a smile. I think it’s impossible, because he’s truly one of the happiest guys I’ve ever met. There’s no put-on here. John Cox is the man of 1,000 smiles.
Sometimes I think these anglers don’t believe I’ll use a photo if they do something goofy. Not sure why they think because I love when someone like buttoned-up Will Davis lets loose.
This year was Rick Clunn’s 50th year of fishing Bassmaster, and it seemed everyone wanted a little time with the ‘Zen Master’ of fishing.
Clunn was a nervous wreck during his 500th Bassmaster event at the St. Johns River this year. It was amazing to see him get on camera and light up, but watch as he was visibily uncomfortable with all the attention.
I love this shot of Bassmaster LIVE cameraman Jake Latendresse telling Clunn some story – mainly because of Rick’s expression. I don’t think he was buying it, Jake.
Professional angling can be a lonely job, so family support is vitally important. Capturing the interactions between family members is so rewarding. Take this shot of Melissa Clunn looking at her husband: You can tell she adores Rick.
Anglers’ kids are everywhere nowadays. Brandon Palaniuk’s eldest, Kora, is usually on the boat digging around as her dad is prepping.
LeAnn Swindle and Julia Kennedy are always there to cheer on their husbands — and encourage many of the younger anglers.
These kinds of moments, when you see the tenderness of anglers with their children, are pricesless.
This photo is pretty special, mainly because I know the backstory. You see, John Garrett’s grandfather Johnnie has been a pivitol influence on the young Elite pro. They fished and traveled together as the younger Garrett worked to qualify, and now the elder Garrett is a constant presence to cheerlead his grandson.
Ben Milliken has a tribe traveling with him — and they are always up for a celebration.
I always think the lonliest of anglers just has to be those from Japan, who leave their families and live in the United States during the season. So it was so cool to see Takumi Ito’s family at the final two events this season.
Trey McKinney can count on one thing every single morning: A hug from his mother, who whispers a prayer in the young man’s ear. It’s just danged cool to see.
OK, so I can’t put this gallery together without including one of the most upbeat people I’m privileged to know. Joy Gee lead the University of Tennessee cheerleading squad for almost three decades (shocking to those who know here) and has never met a stranger — and she loves to have her photo taken. And that look on Robert Gee’s face? Yeah, he has that look a lot.
Bassmaster fans are just the best. They show up, no matter what, to encourage their favorite anglers. This little fella was at the Toledo Bend Elite Series collecting autographs on his medical brace — and that grin was plastered on his face.
Marshalls are the ultimate fans, often traveling around the country to ride with Elite pros.
How many photos and videos are taken during the season?
Bassmaster fandom isn’t just for the young. In fact, some of the most rabid fans are those of, well, more advanced years. Just a note: If you show up at launch wearing a fish hat, you will be in the gallery.
Some fans travel a lot of miles to enjoy tournaments. Everette and Jane Wrightington make the voyage from Massachusetts to Upstate New York when the circuit stops there.
There are some photos that are personal favorites. This one sticks out not because it’s a stellar image, but because it shows one of the super moons setting over Toledo Bend during the inaugural event of 2024.
I really enjoy photos like this, which shows images inside of images.
Boats heading out into the rising sun is always exciting. I can’t get enough of that golden light!
Sunrises never get old, and this one at the St. Johns River was especially nice.
I was sneaking around while Bassmaster photographer Dalton Tumblin worked with anglers on the Top Lures gallery at the St. Johns River when I spied Jason Christie’s spinnerbait through the crook of Tumblin’s arm. I focused on the lure with Dalton’s head and arm creating a nice frame.
The last boat has just left the dock at Palatka, Fla., when Bassmaster emcee Dave Mercer looked into the sun and smiled. That warm light on his face and that trademark grin made this photo one of my favorites from the season.
It was Championship Monday at the Lake Murray Elite Series stop when the sky blew up with color. I quickly grabbed my tripod and set up to capture a proper (i.e., not handheld) photo. Will Davis’ boat nailed down the image nicely.
I have no idea what Bassmaster photographer Seigo Saito and Elite pro Patrick Walters were talking abou, but Walters went to pieces over it. I had to snap my camera up to capture it, but it’s definitely a season favorite for me.
The cool thing about htis photo was that I took it at Smith Lake, three months after the Bassmaster Classic. I honestly don’t remember whose truck this was – but the photo shows just how important making the Classic is for these anglers.
I’m often looking for something cool to shoot as the eastern horizon lights up, and that was the case on this morning at Smith Lake. I knew the color wouldn’t last long because of the thick clouds, so I asked Wes Logan to turn up his electronics and created a cool shot.
This photo has to be in my favorites. You see, Bassmaster writer Craig Lamb and I tagged Taku as someone to watch back when he was working to qualify for the Elites through the Bassmaster Opens. The problem was his spoken english was rough, which presented a challenge for Lamb when he made Top 10s and had to communicate for the Top Lures galleries. So Taku took Lamb’s notebook and wrote out information, since he could write in English quite well. He even included drawings. That’s become a tradition, even as Taku’s English has become quite good. Lamb has kept those notebooks as treasured memorabilia.

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