Day 1 on Lake Erie

It was a rough Day 1 for some on Lake Erie, but when they weren't sinking boats or going overboard, many anglers were still catching 'em in the third and final Northern Open!

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Day 1 of Northern Open #3 on Lake Erie was expected to be a roller coaster ride with winds coming from the East and North East, but the action that ensued is hardly explainable.
Day 1 of Northern Open #3 on Lake Erie was expected to be a roller coaster ride with winds coming from the East and North East, but the action that ensued is hardly explainable.
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Jeff Kuhar from Ohio was the first angler we saw early this morning.
Jeff Kuhar from Ohio was the first angler we saw early this morning.
He boated an early keeper, but his co-angler wasn’t so fortunate in the early going as he hooked up with a freshwater drum.
He boated an early keeper, but his co-angler wasn’t so fortunate in the early going as he hooked up with a freshwater drum.
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Our second stop was with Captain Larry Draughn who already had a couple keepers in the boat when we arrived, but he was in the process of relocating his school when we watched him.
Our second stop was with Captain Larry Draughn who already had a couple keepers in the boat when we arrived, but he was in the process of relocating his school when we watched him.
His co-angler caught a fair share of drum while we were there, so we moved ...
His co-angler caught a fair share of drum while we were there, so we moved …
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We found Ohio pro Matt Vermilyea who is seventh in the Northern Opens points race. This is the last northern event that anglers can punch their invite ticket to the Bassmaster Elite Series. He was hooked up with his fourth keeper when we arrived.
We found Ohio pro Matt Vermilyea who is seventh in the Northern Opens points race. This is the last northern event that anglers can punch their invite ticket to the Bassmaster Elite Series. He was hooked up with his fourth keeper when we arrived.
The rough east wind caused havoc with big waves, but Vermilyea was unphased as he caught smallmouth on almost any bait he threw.
The rough east wind caused havoc with big waves, but Vermilyea was unphased as he caught smallmouth on almost any bait he threw.
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Vermilyea tries to keep his fifth keeper from jumping.
Vermilyea tries to keep his fifth keeper from jumping.
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Number five is in the boat.
Number five is in the boat.
Now it’s time to cull.
Now it’s time to cull.
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Vermilyea makes a decent cull and throws back his small one.
Vermilyea makes a decent cull and throws back his small one.
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Vermilyea took a snack break, but even that couldn’t stop him from hooking up. He fought the fish with a cookie in his mouth.
Vermilyea took a snack break, but even that couldn’t stop him from hooking up. He fought the fish with a cookie in his mouth.
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This is a good one and will help a lot.
This is a good one and will help a lot.
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Vermilyea takes a moment to weigh his fish to see what his current limit weighs.
Vermilyea takes a moment to weigh his fish to see what his current limit weighs.
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Smallmouth are some of the craziest fish and they just don’t give up, but Vermilyea stays calm through it all.
Smallmouth are some of the craziest fish and they just don’t give up, but Vermilyea stays calm through it all.
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This one is a fighter as well.
This one is a fighter as well.
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In the boat! Another good one.
In the boat! Another good one.
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His co-angler Clifford Esmond Jr., hooks up.
His co-angler Clifford Esmond Jr., hooks up.
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As he fights the three-pounder at the side of the boat, a wave jars his body ...
As he fights the three-pounder at the side of the boat, a wave jars his body …
And Esmond is now in Lake Erie.
And Esmond is now in Lake Erie.
Vermilyea was hooked up with a fish, but put his rod down to come to Esmond’s aid. He helps him into the boat and makes sure he is all right and calm.
Vermilyea was hooked up with a fish, but put his rod down to come to Esmond’s aid. He helps him into the boat and makes sure he is all right and calm.
Vermilyea nonchalantly heads to the front of the boat and continues to fight his fish.
Vermilyea nonchalantly heads to the front of the boat and continues to fight his fish.
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A couple casts later and you wouldn’t believe it, but Vermilyea hooked the fish his co-angler lost at the boat. He unhooks Esmond’s dropshot and is amazed to re-catch the fish.
A couple casts later and you wouldn’t believe it, but Vermilyea hooked the fish his co-angler lost at the boat. He unhooks Esmond’s dropshot and is amazed to re-catch the fish.
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Esmond hooks up again.
Esmond hooks up again.
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Some crazy waves on Day 1 at Lake Erie.
Some crazy waves on Day 1 at Lake Erie.
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Redemption for Esmond.
Redemption for Esmond.
Matt Vermilyea is fighting for an Elite Series invitation, but was courteous enough to try and help Esmond catch his three-fish co-angler limit throughout Day 1.
Matt Vermilyea is fighting for an Elite Series invitation, but was courteous enough to try and help Esmond catch his three-fish co-angler limit throughout Day 1.