Nation: Day 3 launch

The Nation anglers take off on the final day of the 2015 Old Milwaukee B.A.S.S. Nation Southern Divisional.

It’s 5:30 a.m. and the B.A.S.S. Nation staff arrive to prepare for the takeoff of Day 3 of the Old Milwaukee B.A.S.S. Nation Southern Divisional.
It’s 5:30 a.m. and the B.A.S.S. Nation staff arrive to prepare for the takeoff of Day 3 of the Old Milwaukee B.A.S.S. Nation Southern Divisional.
The first boats begin backing down the ramp to go fishing on the Pee Dee River Basin.
The first boats begin backing down the ramp to go fishing on the Pee Dee River Basin.
A routine practice is providing documentation of boat insurance to B.A.S.S. prior to the takeoff.
A routine practice is providing documentation of boat insurance to B.A.S.S. prior to the takeoff.
Teamwork already in motion as a partner shines a light from his smartphone on his partner’s lure as he ties it onto the line.
Teamwork already in motion as a partner shines a light from his smartphone on his partner’s lure as he ties it onto the line.
The takeoff is 31 minutes away with the International Paper Co. Georgetown paper mill looming in the background.
The takeoff is 31 minutes away with the International Paper Co. Georgetown paper mill looming in the background.
This box will be empty by 6:45 a.m. as every boat receives a floating key fob with a designated number.
This box will be empty by 6:45 a.m. as every boat receives a floating key fob with a designated number.
The first flight of boats is lining up along the dock on the Sampit River.
The first flight of boats is lining up along the dock on the Sampit River.
The Georgetown County Parks & Recreation Dept. provides launch assistance for the anglers.
The Georgetown County Parks & Recreation Dept. provides launch assistance for the anglers.
The forecast calls for breezy conditions with abundant sunshine and highs in the low 70s.
The forecast calls for breezy conditions with abundant sunshine and highs in the low 70s.
The Sampit River will be a popular place later this afternoon as anglers make last-minute casts before checking in for the final weigh-in.
The Sampit River will be a popular place later this afternoon as anglers make last-minute casts before checking in for the final weigh-in.
Beth Goodale, director of the Georgetown County Parks & Recreation Dept., is on the radio with her staff as they support the tournament.
Beth Goodale, director of the Georgetown County Parks & Recreation Dept., is on the radio with her staff as they support the tournament.
The wife of leader Sgt. 1st Class Mark Pierce says she spent a sleepless night.
The wife of leader Sgt. 1st Class Mark Pierce says she spent a sleepless night.
Tradition continues as B.A.S.S. Nation Director Jon Stewart sings the National Anthem at the Day 3 launch.
Tradition continues as B.A.S.S. Nation Director Jon Stewart sings the National Anthem at the Day 3 launch.
The sun rises over the distant Atlantic Ocean as the boats leave the dock.
The sun rises over the distant Atlantic Ocean as the boats leave the dock.
The temperature is a chilly 55 degrees and the time is now for the boats and anglers to go fishing.
The temperature is a chilly 55 degrees and the time is now for the boats and anglers to go fishing.
The boats leave in flights each morning.
The boats leave in flights each morning.
Spouses of the anglers record the moment as their husbands leave the dock.
Spouses of the anglers record the moment as their husbands leave the dock.
B.A.S.S. official Alan Roberts directs the boats to stay in a single-file line at the takeoff.
B.A.S.S. official Alan Roberts directs the boats to stay in a single-file line at the takeoff.
Evidence of the chilly morning is on the face of this angler.
Evidence of the chilly morning is on the face of this angler.
This list has the names of the anglers and their boats in the order of takeoff.
This list has the names of the anglers and their boats in the order of takeoff.
The anglers applaud the staff of the Georgetown County Parks & Recreation Dept. for their support of the tournament.
The anglers applaud the staff of the Georgetown County Parks & Recreation Dept. for their support of the tournament.
David Driggers, president of the Florida B.A.S.S. Nation and Suzi Weber watch their teams take off. Weber is president of the Kentucky B.A.S.S. Nation.
David Driggers, president of the Florida B.A.S.S. Nation and Suzi Weber watch their teams take off. Weber is president of the Kentucky B.A.S.S. Nation.
A drone belonging to the Georgetown Emergency Management Agency hovers over the takeoff location at Carroll Ashmore Campbell Marine Complex.
A drone belonging to the Georgetown Emergency Management Agency hovers over the takeoff location at Carroll Ashmore Campbell Marine Complex.
The last boat idles through the check off point and the day is underway.
The last boat idles through the check off point and the day is underway.