St. Johns River Day One launch

As day begins to break over Palatka, Fla., Elite anglers jockey into position for the start of the St. Johns River Showdown.

A thin wall of fog forms in the distance causing some anglers to fear a launch delay, but the fog never developed and the tournament took off on time.

A fan takes pictures from the shore, while anglers get ready for the start of the tournament.

Michael Iaconelli shares breakfast with his son, Vegas, while his wife, Becky, looks on.

2011 Bassmaster Elite Series Rookie of the Year Ott DeFoe gets his tackle ready for the start Day One of the St. Johns River Showdown.

Fans line a dock near the take-off area rooting for their favorite anglers as they pass through boat check.

Matt Greenblatt visits with his Marshal as the two prepare to take off.

Anglers stand to honor the flag during the national anthem minutes before the take off.

Brent Chapman works his way into position to take off.

Elite anglers position their boats to take off Thursday morning.

Fans lined every dock watching the excitement of an Elite Series take off.

Elite Series rookie Brandon Card motors through take-off.

Kevin Ledoux of Choctaw, Okla., one of 10 rookies in the 2012 Elite Series, goes through his first Elite take off.

Alton Jones gets a last minute drink before he idles past the take-off dock.

Terry Scroggins, the de-facto favorite in this event, is all smiles as the event gets underway.

Led by Denny Brauer, the first event of the 2012 Elite Series gets underway.

Kevin VanDam passes the dock to get his take-off number before making his way to the check-out position.

Shaw Grigsby is bundled up for a cool morning at the start of the St. Johns River Showdown.

Elite Series rookie Jared Miller idles through the check-out line Thursday morning.

Grant Goldbeck, who put together an amazing comeback in the first event of 2011, gets ready to start Thursday.

2012 Elite Series rookie Chris Zaldain of San Jose, Calif., goes through the check-out procedure.

As the last of the Elite Series anglers get into line, boats run past them at the start of the St. Johns River Showdown.

Cliff Prince of Palatka, Fla., makes his rookie debut in his hometown.

Michael Simonton, another 2012 Elite Series rookie this season, goes through check out, while his Marshal records the process on his smart phone.

Fred Roumbanis peeks out of his wrappings as he goes through the take-off line.

2012 Bassmaster Classic champion Chris Lane gets a big cheer as he idles by the check-out dock

Fletcher Shryock gives a thumbs up to as he enters his first Elite Series take-off.

Jaime Horton, who qualified for the 2012 Elite Series through the Cabela’s Bassmaster Federation Nation championship, goes through his first Elite Series take-off.

2012 Elite Series rookie Casey Scanlon idles through the check-out process Wednesday for Day One of the St. Johns River Showdown.