Open: Day 1 launch photos

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It’s 6 a.m. and inside Big Toho Marina the grill is smoking hot with eggs, bacon and sausage sandwiches, hot sellers for the anglers competing in the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Southern Open #1.
It’s 6 a.m. and inside Big Toho Marina the grill is smoking hot with eggs, bacon and sausage sandwiches, hot sellers for the anglers competing in the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Southern Open #1.
Nearby are the courtesy docks serving as the staging area for 200 boats awaiting the start of Day 1.
Nearby are the courtesy docks serving as the staging area for 200 boats awaiting the start of Day 1.
Anglers from 26 states are competing. So are fishermen from Japan and South Africa.
Anglers from 26 states are competing. So are fishermen from Japan and South Africa.
Kissimmee Lakefront Park is a spacious recreational facility with a park, walking trails, picnic areas and of course, an ideal weigh-in and launch site.
Kissimmee Lakefront Park is a spacious recreational facility with a park, walking trails, picnic areas and of course, an ideal weigh-in and launch site.
How early is it? Early enough for this guy standing on the levee to get in one last stretch before limbering up for a day of fishing.
How early is it? Early enough for this guy standing on the levee to get in one last stretch before limbering up for a day of fishing.
LED lighting systems are cool looking but functional. Many boats are outfitted with the lights inside the storage compartments for easy viewing of gear.
LED lighting systems are cool looking but functional. Many boats are outfitted with the lights inside the storage compartments for easy viewing of gear.
William Hensley prefers the old school approach of a flashlight. It’s kind of new school, though, with the pinpoint focus of an LED bulb.
William Hensley prefers the old school approach of a flashlight. It’s kind of new school, though, with the pinpoint focus of an LED bulb.
A fog settles in over Lake Toho as the first boats take off for the day of fishing. The forecast calls for a 100 percent chance of getting wet.
A fog settles in over Lake Toho as the first boats take off for the day of fishing. The forecast calls for a 100 percent chance of getting wet.
B.A.S.S. photographer James Overstreet was so impressed with this angler’s hat that he just had to snap a pic.
B.A.S.S. photographer James Overstreet was so impressed with this angler’s hat that he just had to snap a pic.
The boat ramp at Big Toho Marina and Kissimmee Lakefront Park is busy with boat traffic. Fletcher Shryock makes last minute adjustments to his tackle before casting off the courtesy dock.
The boat ramp at Big Toho Marina and Kissimmee Lakefront Park is busy with boat traffic. Fletcher Shryock makes last minute adjustments to his tackle before casting off the courtesy dock.
The fog thickens at daylight as the first flight of boats idles away from the takeoff point. Other boats await their turn as the day gets underway.
The fog thickens at daylight as the first flight of boats idles away from the takeoff point. Other boats await their turn as the day gets underway.
Commercial activity or not, the moment is all business for Chris Bowes. He’s lining up the boats in order of takeoff for the official start of Day 1.
Commercial activity or not, the moment is all business for Chris Bowes. He’s lining up the boats in order of takeoff for the official start of Day 1.
Clay Dyer is back on the trail. The Tennessee pro and inspirational speaker, motivator and overall great angler awaits his turn in line for takeoff.
Clay Dyer is back on the trail. The Tennessee pro and inspirational speaker, motivator and overall great angler awaits his turn in line for takeoff.
Boats touch from bow to stern and among those is Guy Eaker, the pro from North Carolina with more than four decades on the B.A.S.S. tour.
Boats touch from bow to stern and among those is Guy Eaker, the pro from North Carolina with more than four decades on the B.A.S.S. tour.
Cody Detweller is one of many local pros in the tournament. The Orlando angler is a professional guide and skilled fisherman who is, like many, seeking a tournament win.
Cody Detweller is one of many local pros in the tournament. The Orlando angler is a professional guide and skilled fisherman who is, like many, seeking a tournament win.
Flight 5 is well underway as Chris Bowes continues lining up the boats. Beyond the seawall is Lake Toho and beyond that, Lake Kissimmee.
Flight 5 is well underway as Chris Bowes continues lining up the boats. Beyond the seawall is Lake Toho and beyond that, Lake Kissimmee.
Tennessee pro Ott DeFoe prepares for his first B.A.S.S. tournament day of the season. DeFoe is very much looking forward to third stop of the season. It’s on Douglas Lake, located near his home in east Tennessee.
Tennessee pro Ott DeFoe prepares for his first B.A.S.S. tournament day of the season. DeFoe is very much looking forward to third stop of the season. It’s on Douglas Lake, located near his home in east Tennessee.
The service support crews are on stand-down as the last boats leave the marina. The crews will be on standby all day and up until the weigh-in should the anglers need help.
The service support crews are on stand-down as the last boats leave the marina. The crews will be on standby all day and up until the weigh-in should the anglers need help.
Fans line the seawall at Big Toho Marina as the fog thickens and the rain arrives to begin a soggy day in central Florida.
Fans line the seawall at Big Toho Marina as the fog thickens and the rain arrives to begin a soggy day in central Florida.