2011 Elite Series Alabama Charge – Day One – Launch

Experience the excitement of a morning launch during the 2011 Alabama Charge. This photo album contains images from day one at Pickwick Lake, Alabama.

Tommy Biffle makes his way to the ramp on Day One of the Alabama Charge.
Tommy Biffle makes his way to the ramp on Day One of the Alabama Charge.
Two boats launch onto Pickwick Lake early Wednesday.
Two boats launch onto Pickwick Lake early Wednesday.
The sun rises on Day One of the Alabama Charge on Pickwick Lake.
The sun rises on Day One of the Alabama Charge on Pickwick Lake.
Kevin VanDam and Dean Rojas wait on the dock prior to the Day One launch.
Kevin VanDam and Dean Rojas wait on the dock prior to the Day One launch.
Matt Greenblatt prepares for the day by cleaning the screen on his electronics.
Matt Greenblatt prepares for the day by cleaning the screen on his electronics.
Kenyon Hill adjusts a lure as he waits for the Day One launch to begin.
Kenyon Hill adjusts a lure as he waits for the Day One launch to begin.
Dennis Tietje consults with Kevin VanDam on rigging a rod early in the morning.
Dennis Tietje consults with Kevin VanDam on rigging a rod early in the morning.
Gerald Swindle colors his braided line with a permanent marker while waiting for launch.
Gerald Swindle colors his braided line with a permanent marker while waiting for launch.
In his second year on the Elite Series, Scott Ashmore looks to improve on his rookie campaign.
In his second year on the Elite Series, Scott Ashmore looks to improve on his rookie campaign.
Jeff Kriet works something out on his phone while waiting for the 8:30 a.m. ET launch.
Jeff Kriet works something out on his phone while waiting for the 8:30 a.m. ET launch.
Clark Reehm gets a lure stuck up his sleeve as he works on rods early Wednesday.
Clark Reehm gets a lure stuck up his sleeve as he works on rods early Wednesday.
Kota Kiriyama gives Greg Hackney a ride out to his boat in the middle of the cove.
Kota Kiriyama gives Greg Hackney a ride out to his boat in the middle of the cove.
Boats lined up inside the marina as the sun makes its way up into the sky.
Boats lined up inside the marina as the sun makes its way up into the sky.
Britt Myers makes sure all his rods are ready to go for Day One of competition.
Britt Myers makes sure all his rods are ready to go for Day One of competition.
Work on the Wilson Dam prevents the Elite Series field from locking the first two days of competition, but barges were still passing through.
Work on the Wilson Dam prevents the Elite Series field from locking the first two days of competition, but barges were still passing through.
Chris Lane launches his Marshal into the water before the start of Day One.
Chris Lane launches his Marshal into the water before the start of Day One.
An angler gets dropped off at his boat on Day One of the Alabama Charge on Pickwick Lake.
An angler gets dropped off at his boat on Day One of the Alabama Charge on Pickwick Lake.
Rookie Keith Combs gets his rods ready while waiting for the launch.
Rookie Keith Combs gets his rods ready while waiting for the launch.
Anglers line up at the docks as B.A.S.S. officials check boats and prepare for Day One of competition.
Anglers line up at the docks as B.A.S.S. officials check boats and prepare for Day One of competition.
Here on Pickwick Lake, Skeet Reese looks to turn around his tough start to the year.
Here on Pickwick Lake, Skeet Reese looks to turn around his tough start to the year.
The field of anglers and their Marshals rise and remove their hats for the playing of the national anthem.
The field of anglers and their Marshals rise and remove their hats for the playing of the national anthem.
Bernie Schultz idles his boat out onto Pickwick Lake.
Bernie Schultz idles his boat out onto Pickwick Lake.
A boat runs under a bridge not far from take-off on Pickwick Lake.
A boat runs under a bridge not far from take-off on Pickwick Lake.
Aaron Martens, an Alabama transplant, tries for another win in-state.
Aaron Martens, an Alabama transplant, tries for another win in-state.
Timmy Horton is widely considered the home-town favorite, hailing from near-by Mussel Shoals.
Timmy Horton is widely considered the home-town favorite, hailing from near-by Mussel Shoals.
Mike Iaconelli blasts off to start his first day of fishing on Pickwick Lake.
Mike Iaconelli blasts off to start his first day of fishing on Pickwick Lake.
Morizo Shimizu idles away from the dock on Wednesday before starting his first day of competition.
Morizo Shimizu idles away from the dock on Wednesday before starting his first day of competition.
The first boats begin to idle out to start Day One.
The first boats begin to idle out to start Day One.
Gerald Swindle is covered up on a chilly 40-degree morning in Florence, Ala.
Gerald Swindle is covered up on a chilly 40-degree morning in Florence, Ala.
Dean Rojas' Marshal takes a few pictures from the morning launch as they begin their day.
Dean Rojas’ Marshal takes a few pictures from the morning launch as they begin their day.
Jared Lintner makes a hard right out of the marina to head down the lake on Wednesday.
Jared Lintner makes a hard right out of the marina to head down the lake on Wednesday.
Defending Pickwick champion Kevin Short runs into a few boat wakes as he leaves the marina.
Defending Pickwick champion Kevin Short runs into a few boat wakes as he leaves the marina.
A Marshal in Rick Clunn's boat reaches out to catch the float a B.A.S.S. official tosses him.
A Marshal in Rick Clunn’s boat reaches out to catch the float a B.A.S.S. official tosses him.
Spectators watch from the bank as the Alabama Charge gets underway.
Spectators watch from the bank as the Alabama Charge gets underway.