Southern Open No. 3 launch

Tow BoatU.S. tow services are available to anglers this week on Smith Lake at the third and final Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Southern Open.

Charlie Hartley enjoys a cup of coffee while waiting for his morning launch time.

The morning launch and weigh-in are located near the Lewis Smith Lake Dam.

Cliff Crochet and his fellow competitors have a laugh before launch time.

Brandon Card idles to the morning boat inspection.

The first flight of anglers idles onto Smith Lake to begin their first day of fishing.

Aaron Martens is one of many Bassmaster Elite Series anglers fishing this Southern Open.

Alabama’s Gerald Swindle will be one of the local favorites on Smith Lake.

Spectators begin to line the parking area to view the morning launch.

A light fog greeted the anglers at the Day One launch.

A boat speeds away from the launch area on Smith Lake.

Kay Donaldson, program director for the Alabama Bass Trail, checks out a photo on Classic champ Chris Lane’s phone.

The sun peeks over a Smith Lake treeline as the anglers assemble for launch.

Terry Scroggins idles past the livewell inspection.

Chris Lane makes last minute preparations to his fishing tackle.

Two lanes of trucks and boats make their way to the launch ramp.

Co-anglers wait along a guard rail to meet the pros they will fish with on Day One.

At times, the parade of trucks and boats stretched for nearly a quarter mile.

Brian Schramm, known as the "Rockin' Fisherman," will fish as a co-angler on Smith Lake. The Michigan native and musician for Uncle Kracker, has performed on many stages, including The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.

A small army of volunteers helped orchestrate the morning launch on Smith Lake.

Anglers stand in their boats as the national anthem is played.

B.A.S.S. Senior Tournament Manager Chris Bowes orchestrates the morning launch.

Boats begin to line up in the order they will move out for Day One.

B.A.S.S. staff members stand at the end of a dock to monitor boats as they idle past the morning boat inspection.

Clay Dyer idles past the dock and receives a key fob from the B.A.S.S. staff.