Team Championship begins

Over 150 teams begin Day 1 on DeGray Lake for the Toyota Bonus Bucks Team Championship.

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On a frosty December morning, the DeGray Lake State Park Marina saw a flurry of activity with the Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship.
On a frosty December morning, the DeGray Lake State Park Marina saw a flurry of activity with the Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship.
Kevin Whitehurst and Ray Hogge wait for Day 1, but they’re not too optimistic. Whitehurst bought several 1-ounce spinnerbaits in the marina shop. “We eliminated everything else.”
Kevin Whitehurst and Ray Hogge wait for Day 1, but they’re not too optimistic. Whitehurst bought several 1-ounce spinnerbaits in the marina shop. “We eliminated everything else.”
Wilson Burton and Jeff Powers of Virginia do some final prep work.
Wilson Burton and Jeff Powers of Virginia do some final prep work.
Todd Walters and Jason Threadgill of North Carolina get their rods ready for action.
Todd Walters and Jason Threadgill of North Carolina get their rods ready for action.
Jason Sullivan and Pete Bayerle of Lexington, Ky., relax as they have a long wait, launching 150th out of the 155 boats.
Jason Sullivan and Pete Bayerle of Lexington, Ky., relax as they have a long wait, launching 150th out of the 155 boats.
Josh Moore and Keith Butler of Tennessee predicted their hot start, saying they knew how deep fish were suspended. “I’m feeling good about it,” Moore said.
Josh Moore and Keith Butler of Tennessee predicted their hot start, saying they knew how deep fish were suspended. “I’m feeling good about it,” Moore said.
David Caylor of Enterprise, Ala., pulling out his weapons, was going with googles for the chilly morning.
David Caylor of Enterprise, Ala., pulling out his weapons, was going with googles for the chilly morning.
Kent Simmons of California records of video of himself as he waits for the 7 a.m. launch.
Kent Simmons of California records of video of himself as he waits for the 7 a.m. launch.
Boat No. 1 of Keith Speece and Myles Ireland from North Carolina is in position at the dock.
Boat No. 1 of Keith Speece and Myles Ireland from North Carolina is in position at the dock.
Speece and Ireland stand at attention for the playing of the national anthem.
Speece and Ireland stand at attention for the playing of the national anthem.
The 155 boats fill the cove around the marina, where some said they planned to fish.
The 155 boats fill the cove around the marina, where some said they planned to fish.
One boat is late getting in line but the anglers know to wave to a camera.
One boat is late getting in line but the anglers know to wave to a camera.
After their boat is checked, Speece and Ireland move away from the dock at 7 a.m. on the dot.
After their boat is checked, Speece and Ireland move away from the dock at 7 a.m. on the dot.
The flotilla is on the move and starts to resemble a line. It’s a slow process at first, with a lot asking each other’s boat numbers.
The flotilla is on the move and starts to resemble a line. It’s a slow process at first, with a lot asking each other’s boat numbers.
Frost covered a number of unprotected boat decks. The gangway to the docks also was a slippery slope.
Frost covered a number of unprotected boat decks. The gangway to the docks also was a slippery slope.
The procession is organized chaos.
The procession is organized chaos.
Joe Johnson of Utah gets on his game face. He needs that beanie, underneath he’s clean shaven.
Joe Johnson of Utah gets on his game face. He needs that beanie, underneath he’s clean shaven.
Freezing temps had anglers bundled up in various protective gear.
Freezing temps had anglers bundled up in various protective gear.
An Arizona team gets through the check and readies to blast off.
An Arizona team gets through the check and readies to blast off.
Each team is thrown a fob for their check-in.
Each team is thrown a fob for their check-in.
Joe Johnson’s teammate, Sidney Reeves, captures some of the action as they have a high launch number.
Joe Johnson’s teammate, Sidney Reeves, captures some of the action as they have a high launch number.
B.A.S.S. official Jon Stewart calls out the teams and tate as they pass the dock.
B.A.S.S. official Jon Stewart calls out the teams and tate as they pass the dock.
The sun popping over the horizon is a welcome sight.
The sun popping over the horizon is a welcome sight.
A photographer with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission works from the top deck of a pontoon boat.
A photographer with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission works from the top deck of a pontoon boat.
The first set of boats clear the no-wake zone near the marina and blast out onto DeGray Lake.
The first set of boats clear the no-wake zone near the marina and blast out onto DeGray Lake.
The procession behind them continues. It took 45 minutes to blast off.
The procession behind them continues. It took 45 minutes to blast off.
Teams pass the dock where lights and livewells are checked, then they are questioned whether they know their check-in time.
Teams pass the dock where lights and livewells are checked, then they are questioned whether they know their check-in time.
Johnson and Reeves make it through the line.
Johnson and Reeves make it through the line.
It’s a sharp turn past the dock for an idle out past the breakers.
It’s a sharp turn past the dock for an idle out past the breakers.
A B.A.S.S. crew mans the dock as the 155 boats, which hail from almost every state and Canada, head out for the event that will crown the team champion.
A B.A.S.S. crew mans the dock as the 155 boats, which hail from almost every state and Canada, head out for the event that will crown the team champion.
The teams fish for two days, when one will be crowned champion.
The teams fish for two days, when one will be crowned champion.
Then the six members of the top three teams fish in identical Skeeter boats on Friday and Saturday.
Then the six members of the top three teams fish in identical Skeeter boats on Friday and Saturday.
The winner after those two days earns the final berth to the 2015 Bassmaster Classic.
The winner after those two days earns the final berth to the 2015 Bassmaster Classic.
The final competitors pull away from the marina.
The final competitors pull away from the marina.
The holeshots are filled with hope.
The holeshots are filled with hope.
Anglers give an optimistic thumbs up.
Anglers give an optimistic thumbs up.
Thousands of anglers in hundreds of events fought their way to be in the Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship and have the final shot at the Classic.
Thousands of anglers in hundreds of events fought their way to be in the Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship and have the final shot at the Classic.