Day 1 begins on Ross Barnett

Day 1 begins at the 2015 Old Milwaukee B.A.S.S. Nation Central Divisional.

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It’s breakfast time at Madison Landing Marina, takeoff site for the Old Milwaukee B.A.S.S. Nation Central Divisonal.
It’s breakfast time at Madison Landing Marina, takeoff site for the Old Milwaukee B.A.S.S. Nation Central Divisonal.
LED lighting looks impressive while casting much needed light on gear at 5:00 a.m., or 45 minutes prior to takeoff.
LED lighting looks impressive while casting much needed light on gear at 5:00 a.m., or 45 minutes prior to takeoff.
Ever wondered what a playlist looks like for a B.A.S.S. Nation event? First, there is such a thing and second, this is the screen shot of Jon Stewart’s play list of music for the takeoff.
Ever wondered what a playlist looks like for a B.A.S.S. Nation event? First, there is such a thing and second, this is the screen shot of Jon Stewart’s play list of music for the takeoff.
The first flight begins to arrive inside the basin at Madison Landing Marina on Ross Barnett Reservoir.
The first flight begins to arrive inside the basin at Madison Landing Marina on Ross Barnett Reservoir.
Sunrise is at 5:50 a.m. or in about 20 minutes.
Sunrise is at 5:50 a.m. or in about 20 minutes.
The first glimpse of daylight also brings the time when boats are lined up by B.A.S.S. Nation Director Jon Stewart.
The first glimpse of daylight also brings the time when boats are lined up by B.A.S.S. Nation Director Jon Stewart.
A state team arrives as a fleet for the takeoff at Madison Landing Marina.
A state team arrives as a fleet for the takeoff at Madison Landing Marina.
A pre-dawn ritual involves the inspection of safety gear by the B.A.S.S. staff.
A pre-dawn ritual involves the inspection of safety gear by the B.A.S.S. staff.
Another pre-dawn ritual is strategy sharing by partners.
Another pre-dawn ritual is strategy sharing by partners.
And yet another ritual and must-have for a tournament takeoff is plenty of coffee.
And yet another ritual and must-have for a tournament takeoff is plenty of coffee.
Teams from 8 states compete in the Central divisional.
Teams from 8 states compete in the Central divisional.
Prepping rods for a long day of fishing is a good idea.
Prepping rods for a long day of fishing is a good idea.
This sign sends a mixed message. Surely it doesn’t include coffee cups for an early morning B.A.S.S. tournament takeoff.
This sign sends a mixed message. Surely it doesn’t include coffee cups for an early morning B.A.S.S. tournament takeoff.
The boats are ready for organization into a single file line.
The boats are ready for organization into a single file line.
Family members record the moment just prior to the takeoff.
Family members record the moment just prior to the takeoff.
The takeoff is about to begin with the playing of the national anthem.
The takeoff is about to begin with the playing of the national anthem.
B.A.S.S staff, friends, family and contestants stand to honor the country with the playing of the national anthem.
B.A.S.S staff, friends, family and contestants stand to honor the country with the playing of the national anthem.
The hand gestures mean the same thing. It’s 5:45 a.m., down to the second, and the tournament is underway.
The hand gestures mean the same thing. It’s 5:45 a.m., down to the second, and the tournament is underway.
The first flight passes through the safety checkout line.
The first flight passes through the safety checkout line.
B.A.S.S. Nation Director Jon Stewart calls out the latter flight of boats for takeoff.
B.A.S.S. Nation Director Jon Stewart calls out the latter flight of boats for takeoff.
The last flights of boats line up for takeoff at Madison Landing Marina, in Ridgeland.
The last flights of boats line up for takeoff at Madison Landing Marina, in Ridgeland.
The boats idle to the edge of the levee protecting the boat basin and marina.
The boats idle to the edge of the levee protecting the boat basin and marina.
The boats are checked here for fully operational livewells and kill switch use.
The boats are checked here for fully operational livewells and kill switch use.
Official start time was 5:45 a.m. and the last several boats are passing through the sport’s most efficient take-off process.
Official start time was 5:45 a.m. and the last several boats are passing through the sport’s most efficient take-off process.
Max Leatherwood checks off the last boats on the takeoff list.
Max Leatherwood checks off the last boats on the takeoff list.
While the last of the floating boat number key fobs is handed out.
While the last of the floating boat number key fobs is handed out.