2008 Champion's Choice Day Two Launch

Elite Series pros gather at the docks early to pair up with their co-anglers for Day Two of the Champions Choice presented by Ramada Worldwide.

Kevin VanDam was one of the first boats on the dock for the morning launch of Day Two of the Champion’s Choice.

James Kennedy pours a hot cup of coffee from a thermos he pulled from his rod locker. A rainy start and lower temps greeted the anglers and fans on the morning of Day Two.

After fishing in multiple thunderstorm cells that rolled across Oneida Lake on Day One, anglers were once again met with rain during the launch of Day Two.

Rick Morris makes final adjustments to a crawdad imitation as he waits at the dock for his co-angler.

Contenders make their way from the boat ramp and adjust their tackle before the Day Two launch on Oneida Lake.

Derek Remitz and his co-angler quickly make gear adjustments before lining up for the start of Day Two.

After a 94th place finish the first time on Oneida Lake and a 49th place finish last year, Denny Brauer figured things out on Day One of the Champion’s Choice and is tied for 11th place with 15 pounds, 3 ounces.

Terry Scroggins and Tommy Biffle pull to the dock simultaneously to pick up their co-anglers for the day.

After catching a fourth-place limit weighing 15 pounds, 4 ounces on his SPRO Bronzeye Frog, Dean Rojas seemed to be the only angler not bothered by the nasty weather. He said he hoped it stayed nasty all four days.

Pros and their co-anglers gather in the cove at Oneida Shores to make final preparations for Day Two of the Champions Choice.

Anglers stand for the national anthem before the Day Two launch.

Todd Faircloth is interviewed by ESPNOutdoors.com and Bassmaster.com media before heading to launch on Day Two.

Pete Ponds idles away from the very shallow no-wake zone to begin Day Two.

Across the dock, Skeet Reese was giving media his insight into the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year point’s race.

Elite Series anglers begin to jockey their boats into position for the Day Two launch.

Kevin VanDam pulls to the dock before the Day Two launch.

Steve Kennedy leads going into Day Two of the Champion’s Choice with 17 pounds, 10 ounces. Kennedy is targeting largemouth bass and said he hasn’t caught a smallmouth since he arrived for practice on Monday.

Electrical problems on Todd Faircloth’s deck panel arise early on Day Two. A member of the service crew quickly helps him resolve the problem.

The takeoff order was reversed on Day Two and Kevin VanDam and Todd Faircloth were the last two boats to leave the launch area.

Randy Allen honors the flag as the National Anthem echoes through the cove at Oneida Shores.

The field of contenders makes its way out onto Oneida Lake as clouds linger overhead, threatening to repeat the downpours of yesterday.

Todd Faircloth takes his hole-shot and speeds across Oneida Lake to try and fight off Kevin VanDam and win his first Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year title.

Brian Clark goes through BASS inspection and shows that his kill switch is operational, a step that each angler must perform before being released for take-off.

Flights of boats begin to line up in the launch order to circle past the inspection process.

Family and media gather on the docks as the pros work though the launch process.

Bobby Lane was awarded the Advance Auto Parts Rookie of the Year trophy at the weigh-in on Day One. He led the point’s race wire to wire, starting in Florida on home waters and finishing here in New York on Oneida Lake.

Brian Snowden idles past the livewell check as his co-angler catches the “pill” that must be returned when they check in at the end of the day.

Kevin VanDam begins the day trying to chase down Todd Faircloth for the 2008 Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year title.