Day One launch on Dardanelle

Day One of the B.A.S.S. Nation Championship has begun.

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Michael Gibney of Oregon talks with friends while waiting for the first launch of the 2013 B.A.S.S. Nation Championship.
Michael Gibney of Oregon talks with friends while waiting for the first launch of the 2013 B.A.S.S. Nation Championship.
Jeremy Percifield of Washington won the Western Divisional on Clear Lake in California to secure his berth in the championship on Arkansas’ Lake Dardanelle.
Jeremy Percifield of Washington won the Western Divisional on Clear Lake in California to secure his berth in the championship on Arkansas’ Lake Dardanelle.
Representatives from Triton and state B.A.S.S. Nation chapters turn out to support the competitors.
Representatives from Triton and state B.A.S.S. Nation chapters turn out to support the competitors.

Bassmaster emcee Dave Mercer talks with B.A.S.S. Nation staff members Jon Stewart and Hank Weldon.
Bassmaster emcee Dave Mercer talks with B.A.S.S. Nation staff members Jon Stewart and Hank Weldon.
TowBoatU.S. is out on the water to take care of any anglers who encounter boat mishaps.
TowBoatU.S. is out on the water to take care of any anglers who encounter boat mishaps.
Boats stage for launch against the mountainous backdrop.
Boats stage for launch against the mountainous backdrop.
All the boats get ready to move into position for launch.
All the boats get ready to move into position for launch.
Contenders engage in dock talk before launch begins.
Contenders engage in dock talk before launch begins.
The fog that delayed the competitors in practice for more than 2 hours is not a concern on the first day of the tournament.
The fog that delayed the competitors in practice for more than 2 hours is not a concern on the first day of the tournament.
Brian Wilson of Missouri is the last boat in the lineup.
Brian Wilson of Missouri is the last boat in the lineup.
The contenders have all their gear set up and strapped down for the ride.
The contenders have all their gear set up and strapped down for the ride.
Official takeoff time nears.
Official takeoff time nears.
Each boat checks in before launch.
Each boat checks in before launch.
Anglers answer texts from family members back home.
Anglers answer texts from family members back home.
Albert Collins of Texas is competing in back-to-back B.A.S.S. Nation Championships.
Albert Collins of Texas is competing in back-to-back B.A.S.S. Nation Championships.
Contenders await their turn in the boat lineup.
Contenders await their turn in the boat lineup.
Anglers look to the flag during the signing of the national anthem.
Anglers look to the flag during the signing of the national anthem.
Locals who love bass fishing come out to support the competitors.
Locals who love bass fishing come out to support the competitors.
Mark Dove of Indiana earned the spot of boat No. 1 because of his championship win last year.
Mark Dove of Indiana earned the spot of boat No. 1 because of his championship win last year.
Supporters watch the boats take off.
Supporters watch the boats take off.
Randy Lamanche of New York is next in line.
Randy Lamanche of New York is next in line.
After the competitors get past the buoys, they get on plane.
After the competitors get past the buoys, they get on plane.

The water begins to churn as the first boats take off.
The water begins to churn as the first boats take off.
Juan Ro Chagollan Sr. of Mexico films his son’s takeoff.
Juan Ro Chagollan Sr. of Mexico films his son’s takeoff.
The sunrise welcomes the anglers to Dardanelle.
The sunrise welcomes the anglers to Dardanelle.
The last boat heads out, and the competition begins.
The last boat heads out, and the competition begins.