Day 3 launch

See the Top 25 anglers set out onto Lake Hartwell for the third and final day of the 2015 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro.

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Elite angler James Niggemeyer starts Day 3 in 23rd place.
Elite angler James Niggemeyer starts Day 3 in 23rd place.
Jason Christie once again is in the thick of things, beginning Day 3 in 21st place.
Jason Christie once again is in the thick of things, beginning Day 3 in 21st place.
Takahiro Omori, sitting in first place, is all business as he prepares for Day 3.
Takahiro Omori, sitting in first place, is all business as he prepares for Day 3.
Takahiro Omori, leading the tournament as the day begins, was the center of attention this morning.
Takahiro Omori, leading the tournament as the day begins, was the center of attention this morning.
Digital guy Jim Sexton said this morning that Becky Iaconelli can back a boat in better than most men. That’s Mike in the passenger seat.
Digital guy Jim Sexton said this morning that Becky Iaconelli can back a boat in better than most men. That’s Mike in the passenger seat.
Mike Iaconelli prepares to give his boat a push when it enters the water.
Mike Iaconelli prepares to give his boat a push when it enters the water.
Mike Iaconelli starts Day 3 in third place, just 11 ounces back from the leader. That’s Bassmaster magazine’s Gary Tramontina snapping a photo.
Mike Iaconelli starts Day 3 in third place, just 11 ounces back from the leader. That’s Bassmaster magazine’s Gary Tramontina snapping a photo.
Brandon Lester, in the driver’s seat, is fishing his first Classic. We’re impressed that he made the cut. He had three passengers with him today.
Brandon Lester, in the driver’s seat, is fishing his first Classic. We’re impressed that he made the cut. He had three passengers with him today.
Big Fish Bobby Lane is all smiles this morning. He’s a contender, sitting in 9th place.
Big Fish Bobby Lane is all smiles this morning. He’s a contender, sitting in 9th place.
Brett Hite, sitting in 6th place, looks like a confident man this morning.
Brett Hite, sitting in 6th place, looks like a confident man this morning.
Emcee Dave Mercer is one of the hardest working men in bass fishing, and one of the goofiest too.
Emcee Dave Mercer is one of the hardest working men in bass fishing, and one of the goofiest too.
“It’s fun to stay at the YMCA…” That song was playing when this young woman in a zebra snuggie broke out dancing.
“It’s fun to stay at the YMCA…” That song was playing when this young woman in a zebra snuggie broke out dancing.
Everyone was filming the take-off this morning.
Everyone was filming the take-off this morning.
That’s Robert Lane Sr. on the left, the father of two guys fishing on Day 3 of the Classic. That’s his youngest son Chris, center. And middle son Bobby is fishing today as well. That’s Dave Precht, on the right. Dave oversees magazines and communications for B.A.S.S.
That’s Robert Lane Sr. on the left, the father of two guys fishing on Day 3 of the Classic. That’s his youngest son Chris, center. And middle son Bobby is fishing today as well. That’s Dave Precht, on the right. Dave oversees magazines and communications for B.A.S.S.
Dean Rojas sits in second place as he enters the waters of Lake Hartwell.
Dean Rojas sits in second place as he enters the waters of Lake Hartwell.
At the weigh-in yesterday Dean Rojas talked about being relaxed and excited about Day 3.
At the weigh-in yesterday Dean Rojas talked about being relaxed and excited about Day 3.
Dean Rojas acknowledges the cheers of the Day 3 launch crowd.
Dean Rojas acknowledges the cheers of the Day 3 launch crowd.
Casey Ashley, the local favorite, begins Day 3 in 5th place.
Casey Ashley, the local favorite, begins Day 3 in 5th place.
Mike McClelland sits in 15th place. With a big day he could be in contention.
Mike McClelland sits in 15th place. With a big day he could be in contention.
If Mike was feeling any pressure he sure wasn’t showing it this morning.
If Mike was feeling any pressure he sure wasn’t showing it this morning.
Coby Carden talks with his family before launch. Coby had the biggest bag of Day 2 with 19-13. He begins the day in 7th place.
Coby Carden talks with his family before launch. Coby had the biggest bag of Day 2 with 19-13. He begins the day in 7th place.
This drone will be capturing footage today for Bassmaster TV.
This drone will be capturing footage today for Bassmaster TV.
Tournament director Trip Weldon shares a funny picture, we think it’s a frozen toilet, to Chris Lane (left) and Mike McClelland.
Tournament director Trip Weldon shares a funny picture, we think it’s a frozen toilet, to Chris Lane (left) and Mike McClelland.
Takahiro Omori is interviewed by Japanese media.
Takahiro Omori is interviewed by Japanese media.
Everyone was happy that the rain held off for launch today.
Everyone was happy that the rain held off for launch today.
Mike Iaconelli prepares his gear for a shot at the title.
Mike Iaconelli prepares his gear for a shot at the title.
With the help of his Rigid lights, Brett Hite gets his gear ready for Day 3.
With the help of his Rigid lights, Brett Hite gets his gear ready for Day 3.
Opens angler David Kilgore is having a strong tournament, sitting in 11th place at the start of the day.
Opens angler David Kilgore is having a strong tournament, sitting in 11th place at the start of the day.
Despite still recovering from shoulder surgery, Mark Davis made the cut for Day 3.
Despite still recovering from shoulder surgery, Mark Davis made the cut for Day 3.
Tennessee angler Ott DeFoe makes some last minute adjustments before Day 3 begins.
Tennessee angler Ott DeFoe makes some last minute adjustments before Day 3 begins.
Takahiro Omori has a cool hand Luke about him today. Is it the look of a winner?
Takahiro Omori has a cool hand Luke about him today. Is it the look of a winner?
Casey Ashley is interviewed by Dave Mercer under the cloudy skies of Lake Hartwell.
Casey Ashley is interviewed by Dave Mercer under the cloudy skies of Lake Hartwell.
2014 Classic champ Randy Howell attracts a lot of attention from the crowd and the media.
2014 Classic champ Randy Howell attracts a lot of attention from the crowd and the media.
Dave Mercer interviews Brett Hite, who sits in 6th place going into Day 3.
Dave Mercer interviews Brett Hite, who sits in 6th place going into Day 3.
Dean Rojas (left) and Dave Mercer talk about Dean’s plans for Day 3.
Dean Rojas (left) and Dave Mercer talk about Dean’s plans for Day 3.
A little cold and dampness doesn’t dampen the spirits of the Day 3 crowd. When you think about it, that’s no surprise. Outdoorsmen and women are used to thinking about spending time outside in all conditions.
A little cold and dampness doesn’t dampen the spirits of the Day 3 crowd. When you think about it, that’s no surprise. Outdoorsmen and women are used to thinking about spending time outside in all conditions.
Keith Combs gets zipped up for a chilly run on Lake Hartwell.
Keith Combs gets zipped up for a chilly run on Lake Hartwell.
This is Brett Hite’s first Classic, and he’s putting in a good showing—sitting in 6th place at the start of the day.
This is Brett Hite’s first Classic, and he’s putting in a good showing—sitting in 6th place at the start of the day.
Mike Iaconelli was called “young Abe Lincoln” by Greg Hackney this week. Whatever you call him, this guy has a shot at winning his second Classic title today.
Mike Iaconelli was called “young Abe Lincoln” by Greg Hackney this week. Whatever you call him, this guy has a shot at winning his second Classic title today.
The GEICO Gecko leads Takahiro Omori out for the beginning of Day 3.
The GEICO Gecko leads Takahiro Omori out for the beginning of Day 3.
Oklahoma pro Jason Christie gets ready to blast off.
Oklahoma pro Jason Christie gets ready to blast off.
Skeet Reese sits in 10th place even though he only caught two fish on Saturday.
Skeet Reese sits in 10th place even though he only caught two fish on Saturday.
We’re thinking Alabama native David Kilgore is going to stay warm today.
We’re thinking Alabama native David Kilgore is going to stay warm today.
The Gecko gets the honor of holding the flag for the national anthem.
The Gecko gets the honor of holding the flag for the national anthem.
Ott DeFoe looks a little sleepy at this point. We’re thinking a brisk run on Lake Hartwell will add some pep to his step.
Ott DeFoe looks a little sleepy at this point. We’re thinking a brisk run on Lake Hartwell will add some pep to his step.
Skeet Reese rolls out in his distinctive yellow boat wrap.
Skeet Reese rolls out in his distinctive yellow boat wrap.
Mike McClelland checks his electronics as he heads out into Lake Hartwell.
Mike McClelland checks his electronics as he heads out into Lake Hartwell.
California pro Jared Lintner is fishing in his 5th Classic.
California pro Jared Lintner is fishing in his 5th Classic.
Arizona pro Clifford Pirch is fishing in his 2nd Classic.
Arizona pro Clifford Pirch is fishing in his 2nd Classic.
This is Jacob Powroznik’s first Classic. He begins Day 3 in 19th place.
This is Jacob Powroznik’s first Classic. He begins Day 3 in 19th place.
Jason Christie took a different approach this year and did not practice on Lake Hartwell in December.
Jason Christie took a different approach this year and did not practice on Lake Hartwell in December.
That’s a lot of horsepower on the Mercury spectator boat.
That’s a lot of horsepower on the Mercury spectator boat.
The Mercury spectator boat heads out into Hartwell to follow the action.
The Mercury spectator boat heads out into Hartwell to follow the action.
DJ Shannon Fontaine spins the tunes at all the Classic launches.
DJ Shannon Fontaine spins the tunes at all the Classic launches.