Classic: Day 1 on Grand Lake V

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Ott DeFoe takes time to pose for a fan’s mobile phone photo prior to Friday’s takeoff.
Ott DeFoe takes time to pose for a fan’s mobile phone photo prior to Friday’s takeoff.
Brandon Lester hooks up the kill switch just before he was dropped in on the ramp at the Hard Rock Dock at Wolf Creek.
Brandon Lester hooks up the kill switch just before he was dropped in on the ramp at the Hard Rock Dock at Wolf Creek.
Bill Lowen gets his game face on Friday morning.
Bill Lowen gets his game face on Friday morning.
Oklahoma’s own James Elam drew a rousing ovation from the partisan crowd at Friday’s takeoff.
Oklahoma’s own James Elam drew a rousing ovation from the partisan crowd at Friday’s takeoff.
Greg Vinson suffered a head injury just a week before the Classic, but he was ready to roll Friday.
Greg Vinson suffered a head injury just a week before the Classic, but he was ready to roll Friday.
Reigning Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Aaron Martens gets some last-minute instructions prior to launching his boat Friday morning.
Reigning Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Aaron Martens gets some last-minute instructions prior to launching his boat Friday morning.
2014 Classic champ Randy Howell was all smiles Friday morning.
2014 Classic champ Randy Howell was all smiles Friday morning.
The boats assemble for the morning festivities.
The boats assemble for the morning festivities.
The always popular Mike Iaconelli was in deep thought, perhaps thinking about a second Classic crown to go with his 2003 trophy.
The always popular Mike Iaconelli was in deep thought, perhaps thinking about a second Classic crown to go with his 2003 trophy.
Bobby Lane was showing his game face as he idled into the takeoff line Friday.
Bobby Lane was showing his game face as he idled into the takeoff line Friday.
The bass fanatics were out in force at the Wolf Creek Boat Ramp.
The bass fanatics were out in force at the Wolf Creek Boat Ramp.
Did Dave Mercer tell Casey Ashley a joke?
Did Dave Mercer tell Casey Ashley a joke?
Aaron Martens answers Dave Mercer’s questions prior to takeoff.
Aaron Martens answers Dave Mercer’s questions prior to takeoff.
Even Kevin VanDam takes the occasional GoPro selfie.
Even Kevin VanDam takes the occasional GoPro selfie.
ESPN cameraman Wes Miller and Elite pro David Walker visit before takeoff.
ESPN cameraman Wes Miller and Elite pro David Walker visit before takeoff.
It wasn’t as cold as last year’s Classic, but the air was chilly enough that Florida’s Bobby Lane was bundled up.
It wasn’t as cold as last year’s Classic, but the air was chilly enough that Florida’s Bobby Lane was bundled up.
Brandon Palaniauk was runner-up the last time the Classic visited Grand Lake in 2013.
Brandon Palaniauk was runner-up the last time the Classic visited Grand Lake in 2013.
Dean Rojas anxiously awaits the countdown to takeoff.
Dean Rojas anxiously awaits the countdown to takeoff.
Oklahoma’s Jason Christie is another crowd favorite this weekend.
Oklahoma’s Jason Christie is another crowd favorite this weekend.
The GEICO gecko stirred up the crowd before the national anthem.
The GEICO gecko stirred up the crowd before the national anthem.
So which angler are you cheering for?
So which angler are you cheering for?
One youngster got a jump on the action.
One youngster got a jump on the action.
Any Clifford Pirch fans in the house?
Any Clifford Pirch fans in the house?
Brandon Card leads a line of competitors toward the first day of the Classic.
Brandon Card leads a line of competitors toward the first day of the Classic.
Chris Zaldain had a tough first day.
Chris Zaldain had a tough first day.
Brent Ehrler had to do some nifty casting to reach his target.
Brent Ehrler had to do some nifty casting to reach his target.
Brent Ehrler makes a quick adjustment Friday morning.
Brent Ehrler makes a quick adjustment Friday morning.
Media from all over the world were represented on the water Friday.
Media from all over the world were represented on the water Friday.
Chris Zaldain keeps looking for a bite.
Chris Zaldain keeps looking for a bite.
Brent Ehrler looks for another angle.
Brent Ehrler looks for another angle.
Chris Zaldain and Brent Ehrler fished the same general area Friday morning before Zaldain made an early move.
Chris Zaldain and Brent Ehrler fished the same general area Friday morning before Zaldain made an early move.
Brent Ehrler makes another adjustment to his bait.
Brent Ehrler makes another adjustment to his bait.
Ott DeFoe jumped around to several key spots on Friday morning.
Ott DeFoe jumped around to several key spots on Friday morning.
DeFoe takes off for another spot.
DeFoe takes off for another spot.
Ott DeFoe hooks up.
Ott DeFoe hooks up.
DeFoe swings it into the boat.
DeFoe swings it into the boat.
Recreational anglers give way to Ott DeFoe Friday morning.
Recreational anglers give way to Ott DeFoe Friday morning.
DeFoe gets ready for another move.
DeFoe gets ready for another move.
Brandon Lester had some early success.
Brandon Lester had some early success.
Lester swings on a fish.
Lester swings on a fish.
And hooks up.
And hooks up.
Lester plays the fish around the bow.
Lester plays the fish around the bow.
And brings it to the back of the boat.
And brings it to the back of the boat.
Almost there.
Almost there.
Success.
Success.
That fish will help the cause.
That fish will help the cause.
It looks like this bass was quite hungry.
It looks like this bass was quite hungry.
Lester goes back to work.
Lester goes back to work.
Brandon Lester strikes again.
Brandon Lester strikes again.
He’ll boat-flip this one, though.
He’ll boat-flip this one, though.
On the first morning of the Classic, every keeper fish helps.
On the first morning of the Classic, every keeper fish helps.
Lester’s marshall says this is No. 4.
Lester’s marshall says this is No. 4.
It was a great day to be a spectator on Grand Lake.
It was a great day to be a spectator on Grand Lake.
Brandon Lester makes a move.
Brandon Lester makes a move.
Jacob Powroznik moved quickly and didn’t waste time pulling up the trolling motor.
Jacob Powroznik moved quickly and didn’t waste time pulling up the trolling motor.
Marty Robinson hooks up with a solid keeper.
Marty Robinson hooks up with a solid keeper.
Jacob Powroznik connects with one.
Jacob Powroznik connects with one.
Powroznik doesn’t seem very excited about this fish.
Powroznik doesn’t seem very excited about this fish.
This fish is going to be close to the lake’s14-inch minimum length limit.
This fish is going to be close to the lake’s14-inch minimum length limit.
Marty Robinson and Jacob Powroznik shared a productive area, but many of the fish were on the small side.
Marty Robinson and Jacob Powroznik shared a productive area, but many of the fish were on the small side.
Robinson will need to measure this one.
Robinson will need to measure this one.
Robinson hooks up again, and again it’s not the kind he’s really looking for.
Robinson hooks up again, and again it’s not the kind he’s really looking for.