College: Championship Saturday begins

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The side of this truck says it all - it’s the final day of the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Classic Bracket presented by Bass Pro Shops.
The side of this truck says it all – it’s the final day of the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Classic Bracket presented by Bass Pro Shops.
B.A.S.S. officials always are among the very first people to arrive in the early morning hours before any tournament. None of this is possible without their hard work.
B.A.S.S. officials always are among the very first people to arrive in the early morning hours before any tournament. None of this is possible without their hard work.
Bethel University’s John Garrett also is the first to arrive on Saturday a.m. The angler, from nearby Union City, Tenn., is the No. 4 seed in this event, but he has reached the finals with two quality limits on each day of the tournament.
Bethel University’s John Garrett also is the first to arrive on Saturday a.m. The angler, from nearby Union City, Tenn., is the No. 4 seed in this event, but he has reached the finals with two quality limits on each day of the tournament.
Garrett gets busy rigging a rod before launch.
Garrett gets busy rigging a rod before launch.
He grew up fishing on Kentucky Lake with his grandfather when he was a young boy, and knows the lake intimately.
He grew up fishing on Kentucky Lake with his grandfather when he was a young boy, and knows the lake intimately.
Garrett is hoping that his familiarity with the area can help earn him a spot in the Geico Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro next March in Houston.
Garrett is hoping that his familiarity with the area can help earn him a spot in the Geico Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro next March in Houston.
Evan Coleman also is hoping to make the 2017 Classic, which will take place close to his own home of Austin, Tex. The Texas State University angler is the No. 6 seed in the College Classic Bracket.
Evan Coleman also is hoping to make the 2017 Classic, which will take place close to his own home of Austin, Tex. The Texas State University angler is the No. 6 seed in the College Classic Bracket.
Coleman had never fished on Kentucky Lake before practice for this tournament began, but that hasn’t deterred him one bit. He’s been buzzing miles of Kentucky Lake shorelines with spinners, and figures to do the same thing today with hopes of beating Garrett.
Coleman had never fished on Kentucky Lake before practice for this tournament began, but that hasn’t deterred him one bit. He’s been buzzing miles of Kentucky Lake shorelines with spinners, and figures to do the same thing today with hopes of beating Garrett.
Coleman’s boat needed a little oil this morning, so he was sure to take care of that before heading out on Saturday.
Coleman’s boat needed a little oil this morning, so he was sure to take care of that before heading out on Saturday.
Garrett took time for a prayer with Bethel University coach Garry Mason.
Garrett took time for a prayer with Bethel University coach Garry Mason.
Then he spoke with tournament director Hank Weldon about the experience of fishing in this level of an event and the chance to make the Bassmaster Classic.
Then he spoke with tournament director Hank Weldon about the experience of fishing in this level of an event and the chance to make the Bassmaster Classic.
Coleman had some thoughts of his own, and he shared them with Weldon and the gathered crowd before Saturday’s launch.
Coleman had some thoughts of his own, and he shared them with Weldon and the gathered crowd before Saturday’s launch.
Coleman said he thinks he needs about 18 pounds today to give himself a shot at the Classic berth.
Coleman said he thinks he needs about 18 pounds today to give himself a shot at the Classic berth.
Garrett said he’d be happy with another 12-pound limit, but certainly wouldn’t mind going heavier.
Garrett said he’d be happy with another 12-pound limit, but certainly wouldn’t mind going heavier.
Coleman has yet to catch that much weight on either of the first two days of fishing, but he’s hoping calls for overcast skies increase his shoreline bite today.
Coleman has yet to catch that much weight on either of the first two days of fishing, but he’s hoping calls for overcast skies increase his shoreline bite today.
A local tournament is being held on Kentucky Lake today, so there could be some pressure on the water. Whether those local anglers fish on one of Garrett or Coleman’s spots could be a factor in the College Classic Bracket outcome.
A local tournament is being held on Kentucky Lake today, so there could be some pressure on the water. Whether those local anglers fish on one of Garrett or Coleman’s spots could be a factor in the College Classic Bracket outcome.
Dozens of boats filled the marina and headed out to fish just before the college duo did the same.
Dozens of boats filled the marina and headed out to fish just before the college duo did the same.
Whatever happens, one of the two remaining anglers in this tournament will be fishing with the world’s best pros in the Classic next March. Will it be Garrett?
Whatever happens, one of the two remaining anglers in this tournament will be fishing with the world’s best pros in the Classic next March. Will it be Garrett?
Or will it be Coleman?
Or will it be Coleman?
And if you can’t be here like these folks, make sure to watch the weigh-in live today on Bassmaster.com.
And if you can’t be here like these folks, make sure to watch the weigh-in live today on Bassmaster.com.