Practicing for Nation Championship

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A fog blankets the lower end of Lake Conroe at the dam. Official practice is underway for the Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation Championship presented by Magellan Outdoors.
A fog blankets the lower end of Lake Conroe at the dam. Official practice is underway for the Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation Championship presented by Magellan Outdoors.
Andrew Sams and non-boater Mike Duarte, both of Maryland, take off from Conroe Dam. They have plenty of places to explore on 21,000-acre Lake Conroe.
Andrew Sams and non-boater Mike Duarte, both of Maryland, take off from Conroe Dam. They have plenty of places to explore on 21,000-acre Lake Conroe.
Danny Carter and non-boater Michael Valentine, both of Mississippi, spend the morning working a canal lined with boat docks and plenty of casting targets.
Danny Carter and non-boater Michael Valentine, both of Mississippi, spend the morning working a canal lined with boat docks and plenty of casting targets.
Not far away is Mitch Cone of Australia. He says the barramundi-like bass hits the same lures back home as he’s casting for largemouth here on Lake Conroe.
Not far away is Mitch Cone of Australia. He says the barramundi-like bass hits the same lures back home as he’s casting for largemouth here on Lake Conroe.
Cone is hoping destiny is indeed on his side this week. If so, he could become the first qualifier from Australia in the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro.
Cone is hoping destiny is indeed on his side this week. If so, he could become the first qualifier from Australia in the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro.
Cone’s partner is Garry Harman. He’s the sales rep for Legend Boats in Australia. A phone call to the factory in Arkansas led to the anglers getting this boat on loan from the manufacturer.
Cone’s partner is Garry Harman. He’s the sales rep for Legend Boats in Australia. A phone call to the factory in Arkansas led to the anglers getting this boat on loan from the manufacturer.
It’s warming up on Lake Conroe and Kurt Glass of Georgia proves the point.
It’s warming up on Lake Conroe and Kurt Glass of Georgia proves the point.
Glass is the qualifier from the Paralyzed Veterans Association Tour. He’s the Angler of the Year and making his second appearance in the Nation Championship.
Glass is the qualifier from the Paralyzed Veterans Association Tour. He’s the Angler of the Year and making his second appearance in the Nation Championship.
Another champion is this angler from Texas. He’s Albert Collins, the defending winner of the Nation Championship.
Another champion is this angler from Texas. He’s Albert Collins, the defending winner of the Nation Championship.
Collins is from nearby Nacogdoches, making him an early favorite in the tournament.
Collins is from nearby Nacogdoches, making him an early favorite in the tournament.
Collins acknowledges his chances for returning to the Classic to represent the Central Division.
Collins acknowledges his chances for returning to the Classic to represent the Central Division.
Like everywhere else in the nation there is no sign of rain. That’s okay with the anglers who will fish through Saturday for the championship title.
Like everywhere else in the nation there is no sign of rain. That’s okay with the anglers who will fish through Saturday for the championship title.
John Plumlee is just glad to be here, rain or no rain.
John Plumlee is just glad to be here, rain or no rain.
Plumlee and non-boater angler Chris Selsor are from Missouri. They are used to fishing docks on the lakes back home. There are plenty of those here.
Plumlee and non-boater angler Chris Selsor are from Missouri. They are used to fishing docks on the lakes back home. There are plenty of those here.
Fishing out deeper are the qualifiers from Wisconsin, Ted Heitschmidt and Daniel Elsner.
Fishing out deeper are the qualifiers from Wisconsin, Ted Heitschmidt and Daniel Elsner.
Eisner comments that should he win the non-boater title he wants to buy a home on Lake Conroe. A construction worker, he’s grown tired of the frigid winters in Wisconsin.
Eisner comments that should he win the non-boater title he wants to buy a home on Lake Conroe. A construction worker, he’s grown tired of the frigid winters in Wisconsin.
A distinguishing feature on Lake Conroe is the Harbour Town Lighthouse. Originally built in 1977 as a navigational aid, the lighthouse stands 90 feet above ground.
A distinguishing feature on Lake Conroe is the Harbour Town Lighthouse. Originally built in 1977 as a navigational aid, the lighthouse stands 90 feet above ground.
There are places on Lake Conroe that are secluded. This is one of those areas.
There are places on Lake Conroe that are secluded. This is one of those areas.
David Cavell, a member of Louisiana’s Ascension Area Anglers, is continuing a club tradition. A member has represented the Louisiana Nation each year since 2007.
David Cavell, a member of Louisiana’s Ascension Area Anglers, is continuing a club tradition. A member has represented the Louisiana Nation each year since 2007.
Non-boater and fellow club member Ryan Lavigne joins Cavell. He won his division at the Central Regional held last April on Lake Guntersville.
Non-boater and fellow club member Ryan Lavigne joins Cavell. He won his division at the Central Regional held last April on Lake Guntersville.
Lavigne gets into action with a bass on the line in the back of a creek.
Lavigne gets into action with a bass on the line in the back of a creek.
Tomorrow he hopes to catch five of these, maybe.
Tomorrow he hopes to catch five of these, maybe.
During competition this bass would not go into the livewell. Keeper bass must measure a minimum of 16 inches.
During competition this bass would not go into the livewell. Keeper bass must measure a minimum of 16 inches.
“I thought today that I would give the conservation program some love,” said Brian Brooks. He is conservation director for the New Jersey B.A.S.S. Nation.
“I thought today that I would give the conservation program some love,” said Brian Brooks. He is conservation director for the New Jersey B.A.S.S. Nation.
Brooks lands a non-keeper but says he’s caught a few others that would measure as keepers.
Brooks lands a non-keeper but says he’s caught a few others that would measure as keepers.
Either way, he practices the B.A.S.S. catch-and-release originally started by B.A.S.S. in the early 1970s.
Either way, he practices the B.A.S.S. catch-and-release originally started by B.A.S.S. in the early 1970s.
Practicing with Brooks is non-boater David Frost.
Practicing with Brooks is non-boater David Frost.
Brooks hooks up again, this time with a bass on a point.
Brooks hooks up again, this time with a bass on a point.
Brooks is fishing to qualify as the Eastern Division representative for the Classic.
Brooks is fishing to qualify as the Eastern Division representative for the Classic.
So far, he’s showing championship form that might earn him the spot.
So far, he’s showing championship form that might earn him the spot.
Brooks is hopeful that he can improve on his catch tomorrow when the competition begins.
Brooks is hopeful that he can improve on his catch tomorrow when the competition begins.
Back down the lake another angler fishes in a home that could grace the pages of <em>Architectural Digest</em> magazine.
Back down the lake another angler fishes in a home that could grace the pages of Architectural Digest magazine.
That angler is J.J. Dickens of West Virginia.
That angler is J.J. Dickens of West Virginia.
Dickens is joined by Rich Hamer, the non-boater champion from West Virginia.
Dickens is joined by Rich Hamer, the non-boater champion from West Virginia.
While some go fishing, others play a round of golf. In the background is La Torretta Lake Resort & Spa, the housing headquarters for the tournament.
While some go fishing, others play a round of golf. In the background is La Torretta Lake Resort & Spa, the housing headquarters for the tournament.