Classic kickoff: From the air

Mike Suchan brings you the bird's-eye view as the 2012 Classic gets under way on the Red River!

The anglers and spectators ready for the launch of the 2012 Bassmaster Classic.
The anglers and spectators ready for the launch of the 2012 Bassmaster Classic.
The Red River is an expansive playing field.
The Red River is an expansive playing field.
A good number of fans came to Red River South Marina to watch the takeoff.
A good number of fans came to Red River South Marina to watch the takeoff.
The anglers line up for the 7 a.m. blastoff.
The anglers line up for the 7 a.m. blastoff.
Helicopter pilot Paul Barth circles the marina getting footage for Bassmaster TV.
Helicopter pilot Paul Barth circles the marina getting footage for Bassmaster TV.
The boats line up as they head away from the marina.
The boats line up as they head away from the marina.
Kevin VanDam (bottom) idled right and began to fish a small cove near the launch.
Kevin VanDam (bottom) idled right and began to fish a small cove near the launch.
Much of the field heads down river.
Much of the field heads down river.
Anglers race to their spots.
Anglers race to their spots.
Randy Howell gives a first pump to the chopper.
Randy Howell gives a first pump to the chopper.
With a lot of wind in his face, Dean Rojas flies down river.
With a lot of wind in his face, Dean Rojas flies down river.
Boats navigate south to their spots.
Boats navigate south to their spots.
Several anglers break off and head into a backwater.
Several anglers break off and head into a backwater.
The change in water color is easily evident.
The change in water color is easily evident.
Anglers and fans make their way through the channel.
Anglers and fans make their way through the channel.
Mike Iaconelli, who finished second here in the 2009 Classic, fishes in the backwater.
Mike Iaconelli, who finished second here in the 2009 Classic, fishes in the backwater.
Steve Kennedy was fishing the other bank from Ike.
Steve Kennedy was fishing the other bank from Ike.
Boats make their way between Kennedy and Ike.
Boats make their way between Kennedy and Ike.
Boats begin to arrive at the lock to enter Pool 4.
Boats begin to arrive at the lock to enter Pool 4.
It was reported that 18 boats locked through.
It was reported that 18 boats locked through.
The boats tie up and begin their wait.
The boats tie up and begin their wait.
A flock of pelicans feeding takes flight as the helicopter buzzes overhead.
A flock of pelicans feeding takes flight as the helicopter buzzes overhead.
The 16th boat enters the lock.
The 16th boat enters the lock.
One wonders the conversations held during the wait.
One wonders the conversations held during the wait.
Spectators line the lock.
Spectators line the lock.
The water was ripping through the dam.
The water was ripping through the dam.
Back up river, a competitor and followers cruise down the river.
Back up river, a competitor and followers cruise down the river.
The Red River is considerably muddier than in the 2009 Classic here.
The Red River is considerably muddier than in the 2009 Classic here.
Terry Scroggins fishes a backwater area that was hard to access.
Terry Scroggins fishes a backwater area that was hard to access.
Scroggins' spectator leaves the area via a tight waterway.
Scroggins’ spectator leaves the area via a tight waterway.
Takahiro Omori fishes stumps off the main channel.
Takahiro Omori fishes stumps off the main channel.
Brent Chapman fishes a stumpy backwater.
Brent Chapman fishes a stumpy backwater.
A boat makes a run along a rock jetty.
A boat makes a run along a rock jetty.
Randy Howell fishes near a backwater that shows how muddy the main river is.
Randy Howell fishes near a backwater that shows how muddy the main river is.
Spectators drove to the spot to watch.
Spectators drove to the spot to watch.
Howell had company in the area.
Howell had company in the area.
This area was loaded with anglers.
This area was loaded with anglers.
The lock opens and the anglers race into Pool 4.
The lock opens and the anglers race into Pool 4.
They head around the bend.
They head around the bend.
Often boats would peel off and head into a backwater area.
Often boats would peel off and head into a backwater area.
The anglers were looking for the clearer water.
The anglers were looking for the clearer water.
Going left here appears to be the best option.
Going left here appears to be the best option.
Greg Vinson leads the pack further down Pool 4.
Greg Vinson leads the pack further down Pool 4.
Vinson gives a fist pump to the chopper crew.
Vinson gives a fist pump to the chopper crew.
<p>
	David Walker is among the group heading south.</p>
David Walker is among the group heading south.
Greg Hackney also races south.
Greg Hackney also races south.
The boats race to position.
The boats race to position.
Anglers make their way into backwaters.<
Anglers make their way into backwaters.<
Josh Polfer and Ish Monroe try to get to a clear water ditch.
Josh Polfer and Ish Monroe try to get to a clear water ditch.
<p>
	Polfer gets stuck in the mud.</p>
Polfer gets stuck in the mud.
Polfer pulls out a push pole to power his way into the area.
Polfer pulls out a push pole to power his way into the area.
The anglers work to get back to the shallow ditch.
The anglers work to get back to the shallow ditch.
After at least 15 minutes of pushing, Polfer gets in.
After at least 15 minutes of pushing, Polfer gets in.
Monroe slowly follows.
Monroe slowly follows.
They leave a wake of mud.
They leave a wake of mud.
Spectators give chase.
Spectators give chase.