The big boys of bass fishing take off from Elizabeth City's Pasquotank River
A bright spring sun had already broken free of the horizon east of Elizabeth City- cypress tree silhouettes framing the brightness.
Winds pushed in a sharp chill off the calm brackish, tannin-stained water.
Steam rose from dozens of coffee cups as a crowd formed at Waterfront Park - there to watch more than 100 anglers getting ready to start the Bassmaster Elite Series stop on the Pasquotank River.
As favorites were announced, cheers broke the early-morning quiet. These are the big boys of the sport of freshwater largemouth bass fishing - the best of the best competing in a challenging lifestyle that takes them all over the country.
Like any sport, there is stress. Making it to the top is all important, as anglers work to please sponsors who cover their boats and trucks with a multitude of stickers broadcasting their products.
While there is money to win, it’s sponsors who pay most of the bills.
Many in the field had already made it to the peak- including former Angler of the Year winners, Bassmaster Classic participants, even quite a few past Classic winners.
The Classic is the sport’s pinnacle - the world championships.
With lots of water to work, some anglers planned to risk runs of several hours to the Alligator River - just west of Manteo on the Outer Banks northern-most coast - where they would deal with loads of milfoil grass. Others were willing to take their chances on the Albemarle Sound’s oceanside canals. Some would take their hopes to the grass beds in Currituck Sound and Virginia Beach’s Back Bay.
Some seemed just fine with staying in the Pasquotank and nearby North River- fishing cypress roots, fall-downs and boat docks.
A few even headed through the Causeway Bridge towards Camden County and South Mills - where the Pasquotank gets skinny but still offers lots of bass-holding structure.
And there were those who weren’t talking, hoping to keep their plans secret from the competition.
Where ever they were headed, the hopes of a $100,000 paycheck and berth in the 2026 Bassmaster Classic were on their minds.
The field will be dropped to the top 50 heading into Saturday, with the top 10 vying for the title on Sunday.
Takeoffs each morning are scheduled for 7 a.m., with weigh-ins beginning at 3 p.m.
Live streaming of the weigh-ins can be viewed at: bassmaster.com
