Fed Nation anglers conclude practice

All boats must idle thru safety checks before take-off.

Anglers in later flights wait patiently on the bank.

Anglers were bundled up to make their initial runs.

BASS officials test kill switches and display the official time.

DJ Lisa sent them out to some great tunes!!

One last-minute electronics adjustment and he is ready to go.

The boats begin to line up in single file as launch time approaches.

The Skeeter-Yamaha rigs are ready to go,

Tournament director Jon Stewart announces each boat number as their turn in line arrives to take off.

The B.A.S.S. staff loads up the sound equipment after take off -- breakfast time.

Staff and volunteers fill the boats with drinks, food, fuel and ice.

One lucky angler will cross this stage and punch his ticket to the Bassmaster Classic before this week ends!

Anglers prepare their tackle in the boatyard before practice.

Two competitors idle through the "No Wake" area near the launch site.

The B.A.S.S. staff prepares for the boats to return from practice.

The B.A.S.S. staff and volunteers go over some last details just before the boats return from on the water.

Toyotas are hooked to the empty trailers and the anglers are pulled out of the water and then to the boat yard.

The end of a gorgeous day fishing.

The Skeeters are pulled from the Ouachita River and returned to the boat yard at day's end.

As the boats re-enter the boat yard, service crews are on hand to fix any problems and get the rigs ready for tomorrow.

As the anglers return from practice, the B.A.S.S. staff parks and unhooks them in the boat yard.

Getting unhooked in the boat yard.

After the end of a long day, the B.A.S.S. crew heads home for dinner and rest.