National Championship: Day 1 on Chatuge

See the collegiate anglers take on Day 1 of the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series National Championship.

EIU fans were on hand for the Day 1 take-off at the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series National Championship on Chatuge Reservoir.
EIU fans were on hand for the Day 1 take-off at the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series National Championship on Chatuge Reservoir.
A beautiful morning on Chatuge.
A beautiful morning on Chatuge.
The dock is packed with friends, family and fans.
The dock is packed with friends, family and fans.
The Humminbird boat hoists the flag for the playing of the national anthem.
The Humminbird boat hoists the flag for the playing of the national anthem.
Boat No. 1 is ready to go.
Boat No. 1 is ready to go.
And they're off!
And they’re off!
Fans crowd the edge of the dock, snapping pics of their favorite anglers.
Fans crowd the edge of the dock, snapping pics of their favorite anglers.
The championship contenders file out.
The championship contenders file out.
The anglers make their way onto Chatuge.
The anglers make their way onto Chatuge.
Lots of family members were out, documenting all the action.
Lots of family members were out, documenting all the action.
Someone's trying to sneak a pic of the photographer! Busted.
Someone’s trying to sneak a pic of the photographer! Busted.
Time to go fishing.
Time to go fishing.
Jacob Nummy and Tyler Strock of AUM start near where AUM did a lot of damage in the 2013 National Championship.
Jacob Nummy and Tyler Strock of AUM start near where AUM did a lot of damage in the 2013 National Championship.
On the move.
On the move.
The rat is back. AUM won the 2013 National Championship thanks in large part to a large wooden rat that they were able to catch several kicker fish on.
The rat is back. AUM won the 2013 National Championship thanks in large part to a large wooden rat that they were able to catch several kicker fish on.
So far only one small fish.
So far only one small fish.
Amazing scenes surround Chatuge.
Amazing scenes surround Chatuge.
Strock hooks up.
Strock hooks up.
A non-keeper.
A non-keeper.
Nummy sticks one.
Nummy sticks one.
Another small fish.
Another small fish.
A little better bite.
A little better bite.
This one may keep.
This one may keep.
Keeper No. 2 for AUM.
Keeper No. 2 for AUM.
Bethel works off-shore brush.
Bethel works off-shore brush.
Wilson and Morris working on a limit early.
Wilson and Morris working on a limit early.
Somebody's sneaking around back there.
Somebody’s sneaking around back there.
K-State working the docks.
K-State working the docks.
A nice spot to start the day.
A nice spot to start the day.
ULM starting off-shore.
ULM starting off-shore.
The Southeastern Lions beating the bank early.
The Southeastern Lions beating the bank early.
Wisconsin Stevens-Point patrolling the bank.
Wisconsin Stevens-Point patrolling the bank.
The University of Minnesota is hard at work.
The University of Minnesota is hard at work.
Several anglers fish shallow early on Day 1.
Several anglers fish shallow early on Day 1.
ECU making their way off-shore.
ECU making their way off-shore.
On the move again.
On the move again.
Bethel's Parker and Roberts off to a solid start with 4 good ones and a small keeper.
Bethel’s Parker and Roberts off to a solid start with 4 good ones and a small keeper.
Daytona State running and gunning.
Daytona State running and gunning.
Clemson working the shallows.
Clemson working the shallows.
Residents showing their support on Chatuge.
Residents showing their support on Chatuge.
Wilson and Morris heaving a big bait.
Wilson and Morris heaving a big bait.
Time to go.
Time to go.
We saw what looked to be Classic Champ Randy Howell on the water today. Turns out it was Randy, testing some new baits.
We saw what looked to be Classic Champ Randy Howell on the water today. Turns out it was Randy, testing some new baits.
Here's a Livingston prototype swimbait Howell was tweaking.
Here’s a Livingston prototype swimbait Howell was tweaking.
Randy Howell enjoying his
Randy Howell enjoying his “day off” on Chatuge, working to help his sponsors create the best baits possible.
Dallas Baptist working hard on Day 1.
Dallas Baptist working hard on Day 1.
Several teams sticking with the drop shot off-shore. This bite played a big role in the 2013 National Championship.
Several teams sticking with the drop shot off-shore. This bite played a big role in the 2013 National Championship.
New Mexico State Western Regional Champs Tanner Cooper and Memo Nunez are working on a limit.
New Mexico State Western Regional Champs Tanner Cooper and Memo Nunez are working on a limit.
They were also relying on the drop shot early Day 1.
They were also relying on the drop shot early Day 1.
ULM's Nick LaDart and Brian Eaton had a solid start to the day and were culling early.
ULM’s Nick LaDart and Brian Eaton had a solid start to the day and were culling early.