Western Divisional Day 3 launch

Two unique patterns emerged on Day 3 -- the mohawk and the early bankers.

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Lakeside Motel & Resort in Trout Creek, Mont., has been the site of launches and weigh-ins for the 2014 B.A.S.S. Nation Western Divisional this week. Now, it’s the final day, and the tiny town will resume its quiet demeanor.
Lakeside Motel & Resort in Trout Creek, Mont., has been the site of launches and weigh-ins for the 2014 B.A.S.S. Nation Western Divisional this week. Now, it’s the final day, and the tiny town will resume its quiet demeanor.
The boats are in the water, ready for the last day of competition.
The boats are in the water, ready for the last day of competition.
Staff members line the dock.
Staff members line the dock.
Last year’s Junior Bassmaster champion, Chase Heaton, gives instructions to one of the anglers.
Last year’s Junior Bassmaster champion, Chase Heaton, gives instructions to one of the anglers.
Contenders idle in from the launch area to the take-off checkpoint.
Contenders idle in from the launch area to the take-off checkpoint.
The moon hangs over Noxon Reservoir.
The moon hangs over Noxon Reservoir.
Tyler Wilson of New Mexico has chosen to employ the mohawk pattern. “Whenever I do badly on the first day of a tournament, Franco [Vallejos of New Mexico] says, ‘Let’s shave it off!’ And I always do better on the second day.” It’s worked so far. On Day 1, he caught 1-1. Following the haircut, he brought in 9-15 for Day 2.
Tyler Wilson of New Mexico has chosen to employ the mohawk pattern. “Whenever I do badly on the first day of a tournament, Franco [Vallejos of New Mexico] says, ‘Let’s shave it off!’ And I always do better on the second day.” It’s worked so far. On Day 1, he caught 1-1. Following the haircut, he brought in 9-15 for Day 2.
Michael Gibney is in good spirits. He is less than 2 pounds behind the leader in Oregon, so he has a solid shot at qualifying for the 2014 B.A.S.S. Nation Championship.
Michael Gibney is in good spirits. He is less than 2 pounds behind the leader in Oregon, so he has a solid shot at qualifying for the 2014 B.A.S.S. Nation Championship.
Similarly, his boatmate, Michael Kitts, is only 2 pounds behind the leader in New Mexico.
Similarly, his boatmate, Michael Kitts, is only 2 pounds behind the leader in New Mexico.
Levi McNeill of Wyoming is sharing a boat with the Arizona leader, Eric Hammer.
Levi McNeill of Wyoming is sharing a boat with the Arizona leader, Eric Hammer.
California competitor Chief Torrez poses with two presidents, Audrey McKenney of Colorado and Mike Landy of California.
California competitor Chief Torrez poses with two presidents, Audrey McKenney of Colorado and Mike Landy of California.
McNeill and Hammer make up the first boat in the lineup this morning.
McNeill and Hammer make up the first boat in the lineup this morning.
Mark Warren of Colorado drives while Torrez hoists his state colors.
Mark Warren of Colorado drives while Torrez hoists his state colors.
Anglers pay tribute during the singing of the national anthem.
Anglers pay tribute during the singing of the national anthem.
And now it’s go time.
And now it’s go time.
Tim Johnston of Montana leads the tournament going into Day 3. He and Keegan Graves of Idaho both qualified for the national championship last year at the Western Divisional.
Tim Johnston of Montana leads the tournament going into Day 3. He and Keegan Graves of Idaho both qualified for the national championship last year at the Western Divisional.
The boats take off fast, leaving a trail of rooster tails.
The boats take off fast, leaving a trail of rooster tails.
Unlike any other day this week, some competitors are just moving over to the left of the takeoff area to fish the shoreline.
Unlike any other day this week, some competitors are just moving over to the left of the takeoff area to fish the shoreline.
Ron Welch is leading the team from California, but his boat partner, Broc Lindauer, is 9 pounds back on the Utah team.
Ron Welch is leading the team from California, but his boat partner, Broc Lindauer, is 9 pounds back on the Utah team.
Rarely, a boat heads south from launch.
Rarely, a boat heads south from launch.
For the third day in a row, Skylar watches for her dad, Randell Bell of New Mexico …
For the third day in a row, Skylar watches for her dad, Randell Bell of New Mexico …
… and there he is! Bell drives, while Vinnie Macchirella listens to the instructions from staff.
… and there he is! Bell drives, while Vinnie Macchirella listens to the instructions from staff.
DeJon Lewis of California can’t help but smile after catching that 5-8 yesterday that is currently the biggest bass of the tournament.
DeJon Lewis of California can’t help but smile after catching that 5-8 yesterday that is currently the biggest bass of the tournament.
Gary Stiles drives the Washington high school anglers, Cully Scroggins and Jordan Plank.
Gary Stiles drives the Washington high school anglers, Cully Scroggins and Jordan Plank.
This one looks like the party boat! Cam Mills of Colorado serves as the boat captain for Colorado high schoolers Adam Deakin and Matthew Fuller.
This one looks like the party boat! Cam Mills of Colorado serves as the boat captain for Colorado high schoolers Adam Deakin and Matthew Fuller.
Mike Brillhart of Arizona drives high school anglers Jasper Elliott and David Epley.
Mike Brillhart of Arizona drives high school anglers Jasper Elliott and David Epley.
As the takeoff concludes, one more set of competitors hits the bank. That makes four boats that were fishing the shoreline before most anglers even got to their spots. Tune in today at 2 p.m. MT on Bassmaster.com to see if the early bank strategy paid off.
As the takeoff concludes, one more set of competitors hits the bank. That makes four boats that were fishing the shoreline before most anglers even got to their spots. Tune in today at 2 p.m. MT on Bassmaster.com to see if the early bank strategy paid off.