College: Wild Card Day 1 launch

See the collegiate anglers head out onto Lake Barkley for the first day of the 2015 Carhartt College Wild Card presented by Bass Pro Shops.

It’s 5 a.m. and the boats are already lining up for the start of the 2015 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Wild Card presented by Bass Pro Shops.
It’s 5 a.m. and the boats are already lining up for the start of the 2015 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Wild Card presented by Bass Pro Shops.
Essentials are ready for the takeoff. Those are the clipboard with the numerical lineup of boats, the microphone and the floating boat number fobs.
Essentials are ready for the takeoff. Those are the clipboard with the numerical lineup of boats, the microphone and the floating boat number fobs.
The University of North Alabama team holds a quick pre-takeoff strategy session.
The University of North Alabama team holds a quick pre-takeoff strategy session.
Inside an embayment of Lake Barkley is Lick Creek Recreation Area. It is the takeoff and weigh-in site for the tournament.
Inside an embayment of Lake Barkley is Lick Creek Recreation Area. It is the takeoff and weigh-in site for the tournament.
Sam Carris of Tennessee Tech gets ready for the day of fishing on Lake Barkley.
Sam Carris of Tennessee Tech gets ready for the day of fishing on Lake Barkley.
Capturing the moment is a popular pre-tournament ritual for the anglers.
Capturing the moment is a popular pre-tournament ritual for the anglers.
The takeoff is minutes away as the national anthem is played.
The takeoff is minutes away as the national anthem is played.
The teams honor the nation during the national anthem.
The teams honor the nation during the national anthem.
Colleges and universities representing 95 teams are set to compete on Day 1.
Colleges and universities representing 95 teams are set to compete on Day 1.
Alan Pierce signals the official start time of 5:30 a.m.
Alan Pierce signals the official start time of 5:30 a.m.
The scene looks serene. Behind the clock 95 teams wait, ready to take off for Lake Barkley.
The scene looks serene. Behind the clock 95 teams wait, ready to take off for Lake Barkley.
Hank Weldon, College Series tournament manager, lines up the final flights of boats at Lick Creek City Park.
Hank Weldon, College Series tournament manager, lines up the final flights of boats at Lick Creek City Park.
Lake Barkley, on the Cumberland River, is adjacent to Kentucky Lake, the Tennessee River impoundment for Zippo BASSfest at Kentucky Lake presented by A.R.E. Truck Caps.
Lake Barkley, on the Cumberland River, is adjacent to Kentucky Lake, the Tennessee River impoundment for Zippo BASSfest at Kentucky Lake presented by A.R.E. Truck Caps.
The final flights of boats line up and will return beginning at 1:30 p.m.
The final flights of boats line up and will return beginning at 1:30 p.m.
Hank Weldon’s essentials for a takeoff are all here.
Hank Weldon’s essentials for a takeoff are all here.
Parents capture the moment as their sons come through the takeoff line.
Parents capture the moment as their sons come through the takeoff line.
Southeastern Louisiana is one of the teams with a wrapped boat in the tournament.
Southeastern Louisiana is one of the teams with a wrapped boat in the tournament.
Parents and well-wishers gather on the dock at Lick Creek Park for the final flights.
Parents and well-wishers gather on the dock at Lick Creek Park for the final flights.
The are required to idle until reaching the mouth of the creek and the entrance to the main river channel.
The are required to idle until reaching the mouth of the creek and the entrance to the main river channel.
Clemson University and its team line up for the final flight.
Clemson University and its team line up for the final flight.
The full moon begins to set over Lake Barkley.
The full moon begins to set over Lake Barkley.
The final boats of the morning pass through the safety line.
The final boats of the morning pass through the safety line.
The B.A.S.S. staff checks for functioning livewells and running lights.
The B.A.S.S. staff checks for functioning livewells and running lights.
The sun begins to rise over Lake Barkley.
The sun begins to rise over Lake Barkley.