Championship takeoff

Launch gets underway for Day 1 of the 2014 Old Milwaukee B.A.S.S. Nation Championship.

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It was still dark as we arrived on scene for the Day 1 take-off of the 2014 Old Milwaukee B.A.S.S. Nation Championship.
It was still dark as we arrived on scene for the Day 1 take-off of the 2014 Old Milwaukee B.A.S.S. Nation Championship.
Anglers receive the royal treatment as Toyota's back up to their boats, hook up to their trailers and drop them in the water.
Anglers receive the royal treatment as Toyota’s back up to their boats, hook up to their trailers and drop them in the water.
Fellow club members come out to watch their representatives work to complete this final stage on the long road to the Bassmaster Classic.
Fellow club members come out to watch their representatives work to complete this final stage on the long road to the Bassmaster Classic.
The boats line the shore as daylight starts to crack.
The boats line the shore as daylight starts to crack.
Friends and family show their support, up before the sun to see their loved ones off.
Friends and family show their support, up before the sun to see their loved ones off.
Texas native Albert Collins contemplates the day ahead.
Texas native Albert Collins contemplates the day ahead.
Anglers tuck in anywhere they can find a spot.
Anglers tuck in anywhere they can find a spot.
Everyone is itching to go.
Everyone is itching to go.
All total, 59 B.A.S.S. Nation members are vying for 6 spots in the 2015 Bassmaster Classic.
All total, 59 B.A.S.S. Nation members are vying for 6 spots in the 2015 Bassmaster Classic.
Those 6 anglers that qualify for the Classic are floating around out here somewhere right now.
Those 6 anglers that qualify for the Classic are floating around out here somewhere right now.
The ramp is another parking lot for now. All the anglers are in the water and we're about to start the show.
The ramp is another parking lot for now. All the anglers are in the water and we’re about to start the show.
Queue the anthem.
Queue the anthem.
The anglers pay their respects.
The anglers pay their respects.
Ken Golub knows it's go time.
Ken Golub knows it’s go time.
Defending 2014 B.A.S.S. Nation Champion, Jeff Lugar leads the pack out.
Defending 2014 B.A.S.S. Nation Champion, Jeff Lugar leads the pack out.
Max Pieper heads out as the first angler ever to represent Namibia in the B.A.S.S. Nation Championship.
Max Pieper heads out as the first angler ever to represent Namibia in the B.A.S.S. Nation Championship.
Friends and family watch as the anglers idle out.
Friends and family watch as the anglers idle out.
Metal boats will play a big role here this week since they will help anglers gain access to skinny backwaters.
Metal boats will play a big role here this week since they will help anglers gain access to skinny backwaters.
Picture time.
Picture time.
Most anglers head north.
Most anglers head north.
Working to get that shot.
Working to get that shot.
A few anglers head south.
A few anglers head south.
Make sure it looks good.
Make sure it looks good.
Anglers from all over the world are here to represent their homes and their piece of the B.A.S.S. Nation.
Anglers from all over the world are here to represent their homes and their piece of the B.A.S.S. Nation.
This mama has her hands full.
This mama has her hands full.
Albert Collins heads out.
Albert Collins heads out.
Gianni Rizzo of Italy idles out.
Gianni Rizzo of Italy idles out.
Japan represented well this morning.
Japan represented well this morning.
B.A.S.S. Nation Coordinator Emily Hand keeps the boys from ULM busy this morning.
B.A.S.S. Nation Coordinator Emily Hand keeps the boys from ULM busy this morning.
Virginia has a fan in the house.
Virginia has a fan in the house.
Tony Choe heads out as the reigning Angler of the Year on the Paralyzed Veterans of America Tour.
Tony Choe heads out as the reigning Angler of the Year on the Paralyzed Veterans of America Tour.
Almost got a normal picture of Dave Mercer... almost.
Almost got a normal picture of Dave Mercer… almost.
Another angler rolling the dice on a small boat in hopes that he'll be able to go where others can't.
Another angler rolling the dice on a small boat in hopes that he’ll be able to go where others can’t.
Teb Jones idles out.
Teb Jones idles out.
Troy Danes made history this year as the first Australian to qualify for the B.A.S.S. Nation Championship.
Troy Danes made history this year as the first Australian to qualify for the B.A.S.S. Nation Championship.
A Minnesota member taking it all in.
A Minnesota member taking it all in.
Time to update the friends and family back home.
Time to update the friends and family back home.
The anglers continue to file out.
The anglers continue to file out.
Ricardo Manuel Chapa Mira is the first representative of Portugal ever to compete in the B.A.S.S. Nation Championship.
Ricardo Manuel Chapa Mira is the first representative of Portugal ever to compete in the B.A.S.S. Nation Championship.
Ricardo waves to the cameras and, in effect, all the way across the Atlantic to his friends and family in Portugal.
Ricardo waves to the cameras and, in effect, all the way across the Atlantic to his friends and family in Portugal.
Coby Carden heads out representing Alabama.
Coby Carden heads out representing Alabama.
The friends and family left on the bank can only wait and wish their anglers luck at this point.
The friends and family left on the bank can only wait and wish their anglers luck at this point.