Nation Central: Day 2 launch

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This angler tells his partner on the phone to look for the guy with the red light. No problem finding him. No one else is wearing a red light on their head.
This angler tells his partner on the phone to look for the guy with the red light. No problem finding him. No one else is wearing a red light on their head.
The time is near for the Day 2 start of the Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation Central Regional presented by Magellan Outdoors.
The time is near for the Day 2 start of the Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation Central Regional presented by Magellan Outdoors.
Before that happens the tunes and announcements come from this makeshift stage at Guntersville Harbor.
Before that happens the tunes and announcements come from this makeshift stage at Guntersville Harbor.
B.A.S.S. Nation Director always has a mix of tunes to serenade the boats into place. No two play lists are the same, except for the Bassmaster rap song.
B.A.S.S. Nation Director always has a mix of tunes to serenade the boats into place. No two play lists are the same, except for the Bassmaster rap song.
The tournament has 189 boats. Those represent 19 states from Minnesota to Alabama.
The tournament has 189 boats. Those represent 19 states from Minnesota to Alabama.
Each state brings up to 20 anglers on a team. Joining them are friends and family for the weeklong road trip.
Each state brings up to 20 anglers on a team. Joining them are friends and family for the weeklong road trip.
Iowa is one of the states represented in the tournament. From Iowa are boaters and non-boaters who compete.
Iowa is one of the states represented in the tournament. From Iowa are boaters and non-boaters who compete.
The first flight lines up on the dock. The 6 a.m. takeoff is just moments away.
The first flight lines up on the dock. The 6 a.m. takeoff is just moments away.
The tournament minimums are 15 inches for largemouth and smallmouth. A 12-inch spotted bass also meets minimum qualifications for the five-bass limit.
The tournament minimums are 15 inches for largemouth and smallmouth. A 12-inch spotted bass also meets minimum qualifications for the five-bass limit.
The anglers will encounter changing weather conditions. The rain that drenched Houston is headed this way. Scattered thunderstorms and cooling temperatures are in the forecast.
The anglers will encounter changing weather conditions. The rain that drenched Houston is headed this way. Scattered thunderstorms and cooling temperatures are in the forecast.
Emily Hand gives a hand to Jon Stewart. He needs it. Stewart is recovering from shoulder surgery. He’s not missed a beat.
Emily Hand gives a hand to Jon Stewart. He needs it. Stewart is recovering from shoulder surgery. He’s not missed a beat.
Also lending a hand is Hank Weldon, the last B.A.S.S. official on the dock in the check out process.
Also lending a hand is Hank Weldon, the last B.A.S.S. official on the dock in the check out process.
Here’s Greg Vance, the B.A.S.S. Nation angler from Iowa who fished the 2016 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro.
Here’s Greg Vance, the B.A.S.S. Nation angler from Iowa who fished the 2016 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro.
Jet trails cross the sky as boats take flight on the water. The anglers can fish the Alabama waters of 69,000-acre Lake Guntersville.
Jet trails cross the sky as boats take flight on the water. The anglers can fish the Alabama waters of 69,000-acre Lake Guntersville.
The sun makes a brief appearance before clouds move in. The fish are in a post-spawn pattern so sight fishing won’t be affected. The wind will help.
The sun makes a brief appearance before clouds move in. The fish are in a post-spawn pattern so sight fishing won’t be affected. The wind will help.
The weigh-in is just steps away from the dock at Guntersville Harbor.
The weigh-in is just steps away from the dock at Guntersville Harbor.
The pages are flipped back to show the final flights are getting checked out.
The pages are flipped back to show the final flights are getting checked out.
Day 1 leader Jim Nguyen of Missouri is one of the last boats out. That means he gets a longer day of fishing.
Day 1 leader Jim Nguyen of Missouri is one of the last boats out. That means he gets a longer day of fishing.
Many of the boats are headed up lake toward Scottsboro.
Many of the boats are headed up lake toward Scottsboro.
Someone left behind one of the most important items of the day, and it’s not a lure.
Someone left behind one of the most important items of the day, and it’s not a lure.
The final boats are leaving the dock. The takeoff process only takes about 40 minutes.
The final boats are leaving the dock. The takeoff process only takes about 40 minutes.