Day 1 begins

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Day 1 of the 7th Bassmaster Elite Series tournament of the season is here! Union Springs, NY waits quietly in the dark for the first anglers to arrive.
Day 1 of the 7th Bassmaster Elite Series tournament of the season is here! Union Springs, NY waits quietly in the dark for the first anglers to arrive.
Britt Myers backs his boat down the ramp.
Britt Myers backs his boat down the ramp.
Toyota AOY leader and Bassfest champion Greg Hackney launches next and slides off into the darkness to finish rigging his tackle.
Toyota AOY leader and Bassfest champion Greg Hackney launches next and slides off into the darkness to finish rigging his tackle.
Fred Roumbanis shows off some of his new swim baits.
Fred Roumbanis shows off some of his new swim baits.
Chris Zaldain looks to also have a few swim baits tied on.
Chris Zaldain looks to also have a few swim baits tied on.
As the pre-sunrise glow lights the sky, Zaldain finishes tying his knot.
As the pre-sunrise glow lights the sky, Zaldain finishes tying his knot.
Cliff Crochet waits in line to launch.
Cliff Crochet waits in line to launch.
Brandon Palaniuk backs down the ramp under the beginnings of a pink sunrise.
Brandon Palaniuk backs down the ramp under the beginnings of a pink sunrise.
Ike looks confident and ready to get after the fish on Cayuga Lake.
Ike looks confident and ready to get after the fish on Cayuga Lake.
Ken Iyobe is all smiles on Day 1.
Ken Iyobe is all smiles on Day 1.
Strike King pro Matt Lee pulls out one of the all-new drop shot baits, the Strike King Half Shell.
Strike King pro Matt Lee pulls out one of the all-new drop shot baits, the Strike King Half Shell.
JVD shows off one of his favorite Half Shell colors.
JVD shows off one of his favorite Half Shell colors.
The G-Man, Gerald Swindle, currently sitting in second place behind Greg Hackney in the Toyota Angler of the Year race launches and heads out into the pack of boats.
The G-Man, Gerald Swindle, currently sitting in second place behind Greg Hackney in the Toyota Angler of the Year race launches and heads out into the pack of boats.
Carl Jocumsen already making his marshal laugh.
Carl Jocumsen already making his marshal laugh.
As the anglers finished launching fans gathered to see the boats blast off.
As the anglers finished launching fans gathered to see the boats blast off.
Bassmaster.com media crewmember Steve Bowman shoots a quick basscam video with Skeet Reese and Chris Zaldain.
Bassmaster.com media crewmember Steve Bowman shoots a quick basscam video with Skeet Reese and Chris Zaldain.
The national anthem plays as the first sunny rays of Day 1 on Cayuga poke through the trees.
The national anthem plays as the first sunny rays of Day 1 on Cayuga poke through the trees.
Fans gather and face the flag.
Fans gather and face the flag.
Drew Benton follows in line as the anglers are called to leave the dock.
Drew Benton follows in line as the anglers are called to leave the dock.
Ike salutes the crowd as his name is called.
Ike salutes the crowd as his name is called.
Jordan Lee gives a big thumbs up as he passes the officials dock.
Jordan Lee gives a big thumbs up as he passes the officials dock.
Edwin Evers heads out to his first fishing spot of the morning.
Edwin Evers heads out to his first fishing spot of the morning.