2008 Empire Chase Day Four Launch

In this photo gallery you will see the 2008 Elite Series Empire Chase on Lake Erie. It is the fourth day launch.

Shaw Grigsby signs a shirt for Brandy Layfield early in the morning on Day Four, the last day of competition of the Empire Chase.
Shaw Grigsby signs a shirt for Brandy Layfield early in the morning on Day Four, the last day of competition of the Empire Chase.
Camera boats lined the launch dock on the final morning of the Empire Chase.
Camera boats lined the launch dock on the final morning of the Empire Chase.
The morning forecast was for winds out of the north on Day Four, which will put Todd Faircloth in heavy seas as he boats west towards Sturgeon Point. Faircloth spent the morning locking down all accessories in his boat, expecting a bumpy ride.
The morning forecast was for winds out of the north on Day Four, which will put Todd Faircloth in heavy seas as he boats west towards Sturgeon Point. Faircloth spent the morning locking down all accessories in his boat, expecting a bumpy ride.
Kotaro Kiriyama backs his boat into the water and will start the day as the leader going into the final day of fishing on Lake Erie.
Kotaro Kiriyama backs his boat into the water and will start the day as the leader going into the final day of fishing on Lake Erie.
John Murray makes final adjustments to his electronics before launch.
John Murray makes final adjustments to his electronics before launch.
BASS officials do a quick livewell check of Matt Reed's boat. Reed starts Day Four in 11th place with 55 pounds, 1 ounce.
BASS officials do a quick livewell check of Matt Reed’s boat. Reed starts Day Four in 11th place with 55 pounds, 1 ounce.
Chuck Harbin, BASS Tournament Manager, pushes Michael Iaconelli's boat away from the dock to make room for more boats.
Chuck Harbin, BASS Tournament Manager, pushes Michael Iaconelli’s boat away from the dock to make room for more boats.
Greg Hackney looks unsuccessfully for a spare boat key under the console of his boat after his keys were taken from the boat overnight while parked at a hotel. A service crew was called to replace the ignition before launch time.
Greg Hackney looks unsuccessfully for a spare boat key under the console of his boat after his keys were taken from the boat overnight while parked at a hotel. A service crew was called to replace the ignition before launch time.
Glenn DeLong happily accepts some finesse lures from Aaron Martens prior to the start of the final day on Lake Erie.
Glenn DeLong happily accepts some finesse lures from Aaron Martens prior to the start of the final day on Lake Erie.
Kotaro Kiriyama removes two key items from dry storage before the Day Four launch: the motorcycle helmet he will use on the long boat ride to his first fishing spot and a culling kit for the livewell.
Kotaro Kiriyama removes two key items from dry storage before the Day Four launch: the motorcycle helmet he will use on the long boat ride to his first fishing spot and a culling kit for the livewell.
Michael Iaconelli signs autographs for Rich Buscemi just prior to launch.
Michael Iaconelli signs autographs for Rich Buscemi just prior to launch.
Greg Hackney gets a new ignition switch installed in his boat and was ready to go for the Day Four launch of the Empire Chase.
Greg Hackney gets a new ignition switch installed in his boat and was ready to go for the Day Four launch of the Empire Chase.
Michael Iaconelli holds the drop shot rig he will use on the final day of the Empire Chase.
Michael Iaconelli holds the drop shot rig he will use on the final day of the Empire Chase.
Kotaro Kiriyama looks on while Aaron Martens shows him the size fish he plans to catch on Day 4. Martens begins the final day of fishing in second place, trailing Kiriyama by 3 pounds, 8 ounces.
Kotaro Kiriyama looks on while Aaron Martens shows him the size fish he plans to catch on Day 4. Martens begins the final day of fishing in second place, trailing Kiriyama by 3 pounds, 8 ounces.
John Murray shows off a container of Gulp! Alive! Most of the pros have used Gulp! to bring in heavy sacks of Lake Erie smallmouth.
John Murray shows off a container of Gulp! Alive! Most of the pros have used Gulp! to bring in heavy sacks of Lake Erie smallmouth.
Day Four of the Empire Chase on Lake Erie is underway as the top 12 begin to idle towards Lake Erie
Day Four of the Empire Chase on Lake Erie is underway as the top 12 begin to idle towards Lake Erie
Michael Iaconelli said
Michael Iaconelli said “I love the smell of Gulp! In the morning.”
Fans and family gather at the dock to see the Elite 12 off on the final day of the Empire Chase presented by Farmer's Insurance.
Fans and family gather at the dock to see the Elite 12 off on the final day of the Empire Chase presented by Farmer’s Insurance.
Shaw Grigsby gives a thumbs-up to the crowd gathered to watch the Day Four launch.
Shaw Grigsby gives a thumbs-up to the crowd gathered to watch the Day Four launch.
Tommy Sanders, Mike McClelland and Mark Zona film a version of Hooked-Up just prior to launch.
Tommy Sanders, Mike McClelland and Mark Zona film a version of Hooked-Up just prior to launch.
A color guard presents the flag as the national anthem plays in the background.
A color guard presents the flag as the national anthem plays in the background.