Nation: In the service yard

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While the anglers are prepping tackle, a lot is going on in what’s called the service yard. Robert Jones of the B.A.S.S. staff is with his colleagues working behind the scenes.
While the anglers are prepping tackle, a lot is going on in what’s called the service yard. Robert Jones of the B.A.S.S. staff is with his colleagues working behind the scenes.
The service yard is actually a parking lot at Lakeview Marina in Conroe, Texas. It’s on Lake Conroe, site of the Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation Championship presented by Magellan Outdoors. Each boat gets a supply of water for the practice day.
The service yard is actually a parking lot at Lakeview Marina in Conroe, Texas. It’s on Lake Conroe, site of the Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation Championship presented by Magellan Outdoors. Each boat gets a supply of water for the practice day.
These are the personal boats owned by the world’s top amateur B.A.S.S. club anglers. Forty-seven states sent representatives, as are nine countries from across the globe.
These are the personal boats owned by the world’s top amateur B.A.S.S. club anglers. Forty-seven states sent representatives, as are nine countries from across the globe.
Also here is defending champion Albert Collins and Kurt Glass, the Paralyzed Veterans of America Tour’s Angler of the Year.
Also here is defending champion Albert Collins and Kurt Glass, the Paralyzed Veterans of America Tour’s Angler of the Year.
David Mays is the Oregon state champion. Now adorning his dashboard is a B.A.S.S. Nation emblem and boat number. The B.A.S.S. staff applied those to each boat for identification during the takeoff and weigh-in.
David Mays is the Oregon state champion. Now adorning his dashboard is a B.A.S.S. Nation emblem and boat number. The B.A.S.S. staff applied those to each boat for identification during the takeoff and weigh-in.
Also here are the service crews who are always on call to assist the anglers.
Also here are the service crews who are always on call to assist the anglers.
The service yard has electrical connections for charging batteries and overnight security.
The service yard has electrical connections for charging batteries and overnight security.
This chair will see little use this week. It’s only for a short break between all of the prep work required for the three days of competition.
This chair will see little use this week. It’s only for a short break between all of the prep work required for the three days of competition.
Arnie Lane, the Florida boater state champion, has the chance to follow in the footsteps of his brothers. Those are Chris Lane and Bobby Lane. Arnie’s goal is qualifying for the 2017 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro. Should he make it, all three Lanes will have qualified at some point for the Classic.
Arnie Lane, the Florida boater state champion, has the chance to follow in the footsteps of his brothers. Those are Chris Lane and Bobby Lane. Arnie’s goal is qualifying for the 2017 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro. Should he make it, all three Lanes will have qualified at some point for the Classic.
The service yard is complete with a sound system. This afternoon it played popular tunes to entertain the anglers working on tackle. Tomorrow it will be all business, as the system is used to aid in directing boat traffic to the ramp.
The service yard is complete with a sound system. This afternoon it played popular tunes to entertain the anglers working on tackle. Tomorrow it will be all business, as the system is used to aid in directing boat traffic to the ramp.
Mark Lodge, qualified from the Eastern regional held on Douglas Lake in Tennessee. He made the long trip to Lake Conroe from Maine.
Mark Lodge, qualified from the Eastern regional held on Douglas Lake in Tennessee. He made the long trip to Lake Conroe from Maine.
Greg Vance, who qualified for the 2016 Classic through the B.A.S.S. Nation ranks, is back to make it two years in a row.
Greg Vance, who qualified for the 2016 Classic through the B.A.S.S. Nation ranks, is back to make it two years in a row.
The trailer license plate of David Mays shows some road wear. He qualified for the championship via the Western regional held on Lake Mead, last April.
The trailer license plate of David Mays shows some road wear. He qualified for the championship via the Western regional held on Lake Mead, last April.
Scott Green’s rig passed through Douglas Lake in Tennessee. That’s where last May he qualified for the championship through the Eastern regional.
Scott Green’s rig passed through Douglas Lake in Tennessee. That’s where last May he qualified for the championship through the Eastern regional.
William Lortz, who nearly won the Eastern regional, qualified as the New York boater champion.
William Lortz, who nearly won the Eastern regional, qualified as the New York boater champion.
Bill Brown, from Colorado, fishes for the Utah B.A.S.S. Nation. He won the Western regional held last April on Lake Mead.
Bill Brown, from Colorado, fishes for the Utah B.A.S.S. Nation. He won the Western regional held last April on Lake Mead.
Edgar Romero traveled from across the border to get here, specifically from Mexico. He is that country’s national champion.
Edgar Romero traveled from across the border to get here, specifically from Mexico. He is that country’s national champion.
Romero proudly displays his boat number and B.A.S.S. shield on his windshield.
Romero proudly displays his boat number and B.A.S.S. shield on his windshield.
Bass fishing is popular in Mexico and so is tournament angling. The proof is in Romero’s fully rigged bass boat.
Bass fishing is popular in Mexico and so is tournament angling. The proof is in Romero’s fully rigged bass boat.