Fed Nation: Day One weigh-in

See photos from the first day of competition on Wheeler Lake!

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<p>Contenders line up behind defending champion Jamie Horton before weigh-in on the first day of the 2012 Cabela's Bassmaster Federation Nation Championship at Alabama’s Wheeler Lake.</p>
Contenders line up behind defending champion Jamie Horton before weigh-in on the first day of the 2012 Cabela’s Bassmaster Federation Nation Championship at Alabama’s Wheeler Lake.
<p>Horton finished the day with 8 pounds, 1 ounce.</p>
Horton finished the day with 8 pounds, 1 ounce.
<p>Bruce Akin, CEO of B.A.S.S., shakes Horton’s hand before weigh-in.</p>
Bruce Akin, CEO of B.A.S.S., shakes Horton’s hand before weigh-in.
<p>Jon Stewart, B.A.S.S. Federation Nation senior manager, and Dave Mercer, emcee, speculate on the day’s catches as the weigh-in begins.</p>
Jon Stewart, B.A.S.S. Federation Nation senior manager, and Dave Mercer, emcee, speculate on the day’s catches as the weigh-in begins.
<p>Dale Hightower was fourth to the stage. He brought in 16 pounds, 1 ounce, and never relinquished his lead.</p>
Dale Hightower was fourth to the stage. He brought in 16 pounds, 1 ounce, and never relinquished his lead.
<p>Hightower leads the Central division by nearly 6 pounds. If he holds on, he’ll be invited to fish the 2013 Bassmaster Classic, which will be held in his home state of Oklahoma.</p>
Hightower leads the Central division by nearly 6 pounds. If he holds on, he’ll be invited to fish the 2013 Bassmaster Classic, which will be held in his home state of Oklahoma.
<p>Rick Svoboda of Maryland brought in 12-14 and leads his division (the Mid-Atlantic) by more than a pound.</p>
Rick Svoboda of Maryland brought in 12-14 and leads his division (the Mid-Atlantic) by more than a pound.
<p>Tim Hennemann of Kentucky presented a UK shirt to Stewart, a known Kansas fan.</p>
Tim Hennemann of Kentucky presented a UK shirt to Stewart, a known Kansas fan.
<p>Eddie Levin of Ohio is currently third in the Northern division with 8 pounds, 15 ounces.</p>
Eddie Levin of Ohio is currently third in the Northern division with 8 pounds, 15 ounces.
<p>Curt Samo of Illinois leads the Northern division by more than 2 pounds with his 11-pound, 13-ounce catch.</p>
Curt Samo of Illinois leads the Northern division by more than 2 pounds with his 11-pound, 13-ounce catch.
<p>Franco Vallejos of New Mexico brought 9 pounds, 4 ounces to the scales.</p>
Franco Vallejos of New Mexico brought 9 pounds, 4 ounces to the scales.
<p>Marco Cambi of Italy said through a translator that he’s very happy to be representing his country in the championship.</p>
Marco Cambi of Italy said through a translator that he’s very happy to be representing his country in the championship.
<p>Jamie Sochocki of Michigan brought in 8 pounds, 13 ounces today.</p>
Jamie Sochocki of Michigan brought in 8 pounds, 13 ounces today.
<p>Bryant Copley of Virginia caught a limit of 10 pounds, 2 ounces.</p>
Bryant Copley of Virginia caught a limit of 10 pounds, 2 ounces.
<p>North Carolina’s Brent Boyette had a cheering section.</p>
North Carolina’s Brent Boyette had a cheering section.
<p>Darin Doll of Pennsylvania laughed as he held up the “littlest fish,” a 1-pounder that made up his whole bag.</p>
Darin Doll of Pennsylvania laughed as he held up the “littlest fish,” a 1-pounder that made up his whole bag.
<p>Josh Polfer of Idaho leads the Western division with a 13-pound, 6-ounce limit, a 12-ounce margin over Timothy Klinger.</p>
Josh Polfer of Idaho leads the Western division with a 13-pound, 6-ounce limit, a 12-ounce margin over Timothy Klinger.
<p>Jonathan Carter of Maine leads the Eastern division by nearly 4 pounds. He brought in 13 pounds, 2 ounces today.</p>
Jonathan Carter of Maine leads the Eastern division by nearly 4 pounds. He brought in 13 pounds, 2 ounces today.
<p>Antonio “Go Go” Gomez of New Jersey came in fishless, but he still showed off his positive attitude.</p>
Antonio “Go Go” Gomez of New Jersey came in fishless, but he still showed off his positive attitude.
<p>Utah’s Tyler Swaney caught a limit weighing 10-3 today.</p>
Utah’s Tyler Swaney caught a limit weighing 10-3 today.
<p>George Crain of Alabama leads the Southern division with a 14-14 limit and is in second place overall.</p>
George Crain of Alabama leads the Southern division with a 14-14 limit and is in second place overall.
<p>Crain studies the scale before it settles.</p>
Crain studies the scale before it settles.
<p>Crain won his division two years ago and went to the 2011 Bassmaster Classic.</p>
Crain won his division two years ago and went to the 2011 Bassmaster Classic.
<p>Chris Molineaux of Rhode Island is second in the Eastern division with 9 pounds, 5 ounces.</p>
Chris Molineaux of Rhode Island is second in the Eastern division with 9 pounds, 5 ounces.