High school: Day 1 at Kentucky Lake

The Costa Bassmaster High School National Championship presented by TNT Fireworks has begun.

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Day 1 starts early as the first boat arrives just before 4 a.m. to Paris Landing State Park.
Day 1 starts early as the first boat arrives just before 4 a.m. to Paris Landing State Park.
More file in to launch.
More file in to launch.
Teams are competing for three days in hopes of making the Top 12 to fish on Championship Saturday.
Teams are competing for three days in hopes of making the Top 12 to fish on Championship Saturday.
This wouldn't be possible without the boat captains that take time out and travel across the country with their respective teams.
This wouldn’t be possible without the boat captains that take time out and travel across the country with their respective teams.
Rigid Industry LED Lighting certainly makes things easier to see on early mornings like this.
Rigid Industry LED Lighting certainly makes things easier to see on early mornings like this.
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Boats glow in numerous colors this morning.
Boats glow in numerous colors this morning.
Now the boat ramp is rolling. More than 130 teams launched to compete on Wednesday.
Now the boat ramp is rolling. More than 130 teams launched to compete on Wednesday.
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The line was almost as long as a Bassmaster Elite Series event.
The line was almost as long as a Bassmaster Elite Series event.
Numbered floats make afternoon check-in much easier. B.A.S.S. tournament officials will give out a lot of these today.
Numbered floats make afternoon check-in much easier. B.A.S.S. tournament officials will give out a lot of these today.
Just over 10 minutes from launch, but heavy cloud cover could delay the launch for just a few minutes.
Just over 10 minutes from launch, but heavy cloud cover could delay the launch for just a few minutes.
Families gather on the dock and talk before the blastoff begins.
Families gather on the dock and talk before the blastoff begins.
Anglers stand for the national anthem.
Anglers stand for the national anthem.
A significant breeze makes the flag fly for Day 1.
A significant breeze makes the flag fly for Day 1.
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Last second equipment issues are resolved.
Last second equipment issues are resolved.
Garrett Enders, one of the defending National Champions, is ready to roll.
Garrett Enders, one of the defending National Champions, is ready to roll.
His championship partner, Nick Osman, is focused in.
His championship partner, Nick Osman, is focused in.
Boat No. 1 heads out.
Boat No. 1 heads out.
Boats have to idle out of Paris Landing before taking off.
Boats have to idle out of Paris Landing before taking off.
Teams funnel through the livewell and light check.
Teams funnel through the livewell and light check.
Noah Pescitelli and Chris Moody from Georgia are ready to go.
Noah Pescitelli and Chris Moody from Georgia are ready to go.
Teams head out to start their day. Kentucky Lake is over 120 miles long and over a mile wide so there is plenty of water to be fished this week.
Teams head out to start their day. Kentucky Lake is over 120 miles long and over a mile wide so there is plenty of water to be fished this week.
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Alex Williamson shows me his game face. He looks pretty focused to me.
Alex Williamson shows me his game face. He looks pretty focused to me.
Anglers take the opportunity to take photos and videos while they head through the line.
Anglers take the opportunity to take photos and videos while they head through the line.
It's a popular theme among the high school anglers.
It’s a popular theme among the high school anglers.
Winning is the main priority, but not at the expense of having fun. That's for sure.
Winning is the main priority, but not at the expense of having fun. That’s for sure.
Kody Kelly says,
Kody Kelly says, “Peace out, see you at the weigh-in.”
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The ducks are out and about watching the takeoff happen right in front of them.
The ducks are out and about watching the takeoff happen right in front of them.
The sun breaks through the cloud line and begins to shine.
The sun breaks through the cloud line and begins to shine.
Almost done.
Almost done.
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Families make sure they capture the moment!
Families make sure they capture the moment!
Whether it's photos or videos, those moments are special.
Whether it’s photos or videos, those moments are special.
There are a few female anglers representing this week as well.
There are a few female anglers representing this week as well.
Zeke Gossett may have the best game face I've seen this week. Gossett and his partner, Hayden Bartee, finished in the Top 5 here last year.
Zeke Gossett may have the best game face I’ve seen this week. Gossett and his partner, Hayden Bartee, finished in the Top 5 here last year.