Open: Douglas Lake Day 1 launch

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All this co-angler needs is a ride. The fishing outfits are rigged with the standard co-angler lures. That means baits that cover the water column from top to bottom.
All this co-angler needs is a ride. The fishing outfits are rigged with the standard co-angler lures. That means baits that cover the water column from top to bottom.
Wesley Strader won the first event in this season’s Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Southern Open series.
Wesley Strader won the first event in this season’s Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Southern Open series.
Strader is from nearby Spring City, Tenn., and hopes to close out the season with another win.
Strader is from nearby Spring City, Tenn., and hopes to close out the season with another win.
It’s 6 a.m. at The Point Marina and Shaw Grigsby is chatting up friends, as usual.
It’s 6 a.m. at The Point Marina and Shaw Grigsby is chatting up friends, as usual.
Day 1 begins with a box filled with numbered boat fobs. There are 150 boats in the tournament on Douglas Lake.
Day 1 begins with a box filled with numbered boat fobs. There are 150 boats in the tournament on Douglas Lake.
An approaching front will bring changing weather conditions for the next few days. Today is the best of the tournament. The bass will be biting in pre-frontal condition mode. That’s good news for the anglers.
An approaching front will bring changing weather conditions for the next few days. Today is the best of the tournament. The bass will be biting in pre-frontal condition mode. That’s good news for the anglers.
Grigsby’s fun personality attracts the attention of the news crew from Knoxville station WBIR.
Grigsby’s fun personality attracts the attention of the news crew from Knoxville station WBIR.
It’s 6 a.m. and the national anthem is underway. It’s how every day begins for all B.A.S.S. events.
It’s 6 a.m. and the national anthem is underway. It’s how every day begins for all B.A.S.S. events.
Grigsby, in his third decade of competition on the B.A.S.S. trail, is fishing the Southern Opens.
Grigsby, in his third decade of competition on the B.A.S.S. trail, is fishing the Southern Opens.
The aluminum boat of Ott DeFoe stands out amidst the flotilla of fiberglass boats. It’s no secret that DeFoe, fishing his home lake, plans to venture far up the rocky shoals of the river.
The aluminum boat of Ott DeFoe stands out amidst the flotilla of fiberglass boats. It’s no secret that DeFoe, fishing his home lake, plans to venture far up the rocky shoals of the river.
Britt Myers is one of several pros from the Bassmaster Elite Series fishing this event.
Britt Myers is one of several pros from the Bassmaster Elite Series fishing this event.
The first flight of boats leaves the dock at 6:15 a.m. The boats proceed through designated flight check-out times until all are on the lake to fish.
The first flight of boats leaves the dock at 6:15 a.m. The boats proceed through designated flight check-out times until all are on the lake to fish.
Jason Williamson and his co-angler partner are bundled up for the run across the lake. The launch time temperature is about 55 degrees.
Jason Williamson and his co-angler partner are bundled up for the run across the lake. The launch time temperature is about 55 degrees.
The “green bridge” in the background that spans the lake and connects to downtown Dandridge is one reason why the lake is below normal. Crews working on the bridge need lower water to construct a new structure.
The “green bridge” in the background that spans the lake and connects to downtown Dandridge is one reason why the lake is below normal. Crews working on the bridge need lower water to construct a new structure.
WBIR is here for a series of news features. The station normally covers sporting events like University of Tennessee football. Today it will be bass fishing.
WBIR is here for a series of news features. The station normally covers sporting events like University of Tennessee football. Today it will be bass fishing.
Clay Dyer is ready for a long run across the chilly lake. The bass are in post-spawn mode and that means lots of moving around to find their locations.
Clay Dyer is ready for a long run across the chilly lake. The bass are in post-spawn mode and that means lots of moving around to find their locations.
Rain is moving in tonight and will remain in the area through Saturday. The frontal conditions will cause lots of tactical adjustments for the anglers.
Rain is moving in tonight and will remain in the area through Saturday. The frontal conditions will cause lots of tactical adjustments for the anglers.
Arnie Lane is back to Douglas Lake after a successful tournament here two weeks ago. He won the Florida state title at the Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation Eastern Regional presented by Magellan Outdoors. Doing so advanced him to the national championship.
Arnie Lane is back to Douglas Lake after a successful tournament here two weeks ago. He won the Florida state title at the Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation Eastern Regional presented by Magellan Outdoors. Doing so advanced him to the national championship.
Brandon Lester is in line for what he hopes to be a successful day on Douglas Lake..
Brandon Lester is in line for what he hopes to be a successful day on Douglas Lake..
Chris Bowes just flipped the chart to flight number 5. This puts the crew more than halfway through the takeoff process.
Chris Bowes just flipped the chart to flight number 5. This puts the crew more than halfway through the takeoff process.
Gerald Sensabaugh is a former Dallas Cowboys player who now aspires to be a pro angler. He’s from the area and hopes his local knowledge pays off.
Gerald Sensabaugh is a former Dallas Cowboys player who now aspires to be a pro angler. He’s from the area and hopes his local knowledge pays off.
Gary Clouse, president of Phoenix Boats, is fishing all of the Opens. Doing so gives him a chance to qualify for the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro.
Gary Clouse, president of Phoenix Boats, is fishing all of the Opens. Doing so gives him a chance to qualify for the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro.
Jacob Wheeler is ninth in the points for the Southern Opens series. The goal of anyone interested in qualifying for the Elite Series is finishing in the Top 5.
Jacob Wheeler is ninth in the points for the Southern Opens series. The goal of anyone interested in qualifying for the Elite Series is finishing in the Top 5.
Guy Eaker is in his fourth decade of fishing the B.A.S.S. tour.
Guy Eaker is in his fourth decade of fishing the B.A.S.S. tour.
Brandon Card is another Elite Series angler who is fishing the Opens series for a bonus shot at qualifying for the Classic.
Brandon Card is another Elite Series angler who is fishing the Opens series for a bonus shot at qualifying for the Classic.
Charlie Evans’ boat is wrapped in the colors of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
Charlie Evans’ boat is wrapped in the colors of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
Kendall Newson is wrapped in his own clothes to brace for a cold run up the lake.
Kendall Newson is wrapped in his own clothes to brace for a cold run up the lake.
Matt Lee says he’s prepared for a post-spawn bite in shallow and deep water. Strapped to his front deck are rods and reels with lures for fishing in both strike zones.
Matt Lee says he’s prepared for a post-spawn bite in shallow and deep water. Strapped to his front deck are rods and reels with lures for fishing in both strike zones.
As usual, Charlie Hartley is all smiles, even as one of the final boats to leave the dock.
As usual, Charlie Hartley is all smiles, even as one of the final boats to leave the dock.