2008 Southern Challenge: Day One Launch

In this photo gallery you will see images of the 2008 elite series southern challenge on Wheeler lake. It is the first day launch.

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Elite Series anglers slowly fill the canal where they will launch each day of the Southern Challenge presented by Advance Auto Parts on Wheeler Lake.
Elite Series anglers slowly fill the canal where they will launch each day of the Southern Challenge presented by Advance Auto Parts on Wheeler Lake.
Kurt Dove prepares for Day One of competition on Wheeler Lake.
Kurt Dove prepares for Day One of competition on Wheeler Lake.
David Wolak and Jason Quinn converse early on Day One of the Southern Challenge.
David Wolak and Jason Quinn converse early on Day One of the Southern Challenge.
Marty Stone makes lure selections as the clock ticks closer to take-off time.
Marty Stone makes lure selections as the clock ticks closer to take-off time.
The ramp begins to get active as more of the pros arrive.
The ramp begins to get active as more of the pros arrive.
Jason Williamson waits his turn at the ramp with several other Bassmaster Elite Series pros.
Jason Williamson waits his turn at the ramp with several other Bassmaster Elite Series pros.
Guy Eaker talks with other anglers as they await the national anthem and the beginning of the Southern Challenge.
Guy Eaker talks with other anglers as they await the national anthem and the beginning of the Southern Challenge.
Skeet Reese shares a laugh with ESPN videographers and producers on the dock prior to the Day One launch.
Skeet Reese shares a laugh with ESPN videographers and producers on the dock prior to the Day One launch.
Ray Sedgwick makes final preparations just prior to the playing of the natonal anthem.
Ray Sedgwick makes final preparations just prior to the playing of the natonal anthem.
Derek Remitz and Russ Lane talk strategy prior to the launch.
Derek Remitz and Russ Lane talk strategy prior to the launch.
Michael Iaconelli speaks with fans on the dock prior to launching.
Michael Iaconelli speaks with fans on the dock prior to launching.
The Day One line-up begins to take shape along the dock where BASS inspections take place.
The Day One line-up begins to take shape along the dock where BASS inspections take place.
James Overstreet, an ESPN photographer, perches himself in the perfect position to capture the Day One launch of the Southern Challenge.
James Overstreet, an ESPN photographer, perches himself in the perfect position to capture the Day One launch of the Southern Challenge.
Boats slowly make their way out on to Wheeler Lake as the Southern Challenge gets under way.
Boats slowly make their way out on to Wheeler Lake as the Southern Challenge gets under way.
Jason Quinn idles through inspection and toward the take-off area at the end of the canal.
Jason Quinn idles through inspection and toward the take-off area at the end of the canal.
Kevin VanDam, one of the best-known bass fisherman in the world, takes his place in the line up for launch.
Kevin VanDam, one of the best-known bass fisherman in the world, takes his place in the line up for launch.
It looks as if Skeet Reese is preparing for a long run as he is wearing his custom protective mask.
It looks as if Skeet Reese is preparing for a long run as he is wearing his custom protective mask.
Scott Rook pulls to the dock to pick up his co-angler before launch time.
Scott Rook pulls to the dock to pick up his co-angler before launch time.
James Kennedy takes advantage of the coffee and biscuits served by Kayla Riggs of the Decatur Convention and Visitors Bureau.
James Kennedy takes advantage of the coffee and biscuits served by Kayla Riggs of the Decatur Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Skeet Reese, the reigning Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year, was a popular interview before the Day One launch of the Southern Challenge.
Skeet Reese, the reigning Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year, was a popular interview before the Day One launch of the Southern Challenge.
The pace and preparation for Day One begins to reach its peak moments before launch time.
The pace and preparation for Day One begins to reach its peak moments before launch time.
Glenn Delong has admitted his season has been sub-par so far, but he hopes to move up in the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings during the second half of the Elite Series.
Glenn Delong has admitted his season has been sub-par so far, but he hopes to move up in the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings during the second half of the Elite Series.
Wheeler Lake is a Tennessee Valley Authority lake, and Alabama's second largest reservoir, stretching 60 miles from Guntersville to Wheeler Dam near Rogersville.
Wheeler Lake is a Tennessee Valley Authority lake, and Alabama’s second largest reservoir, stretching 60 miles from Guntersville to Wheeler Dam near Rogersville.
Elite Series pros and their co-anglers stand for the national anthem before launch time.
Elite Series pros and their co-anglers stand for the national anthem before launch time.
David Sherrer was the first boat out and led the full field of contenders from the launch area to begin Day One.
David Sherrer was the first boat out and led the full field of contenders from the launch area to begin Day One.
An early flight of boats lines up behind Denny Brauer and co-angler Jimmy Sparks.
An early flight of boats lines up behind Denny Brauer and co-angler Jimmy Sparks.
Anglers begin to take their hole-shots and speed to their first fishing spots on Day One of the Southern Challenge.
Anglers begin to take their hole-shots and speed to their first fishing spots on Day One of the Southern Challenge.
With hot, humid temperatures forcasted in the 90s, Mike McClelland begins to hydrate early with a cold glass of iced tea.
With hot, humid temperatures forcasted in the 90s, Mike McClelland begins to hydrate early with a cold glass of iced tea.
Shaw Grigsby waves to the crowd as he idles out of Ingalls Harbor to begin Day One of the Southern Challenge.
Shaw Grigsby waves to the crowd as he idles out of Ingalls Harbor to begin Day One of the Southern Challenge.
Kataro Kiriyama moved from Japan a few years ago and became a permanent resident of Alabama.
Kataro Kiriyama moved from Japan a few years ago and became a permanent resident of Alabama.
Dave Wolak leads a late flight of boats from the take-off area on Day One.
Dave Wolak leads a late flight of boats from the take-off area on Day One.
While idling past the livewell check, BASS officials throw a check-in pill to Alabama's Gerald Swindle.
While idling past the livewell check, BASS officials throw a check-in pill to Alabama’s Gerald Swindle.
Chris Lane pushes away from the launch dock to begin Day One of the Southern Challenge
Chris Lane pushes away from the launch dock to begin Day One of the Southern Challenge
Kevin VanDam has a strong history on Alabama fisheries and has moved into fourth in the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings.
Kevin VanDam has a strong history on Alabama fisheries and has moved into fourth in the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings.
With an intimate local knowledge of Wheeler Lake, Timmy Horton was a pick of many of the pundits and fellow Elite Series anglers to have a strong finish in the Southern Challenge.
With an intimate local knowledge of Wheeler Lake, Timmy Horton was a pick of many of the pundits and fellow Elite Series anglers to have a strong finish in the Southern Challenge.
The masked man known as Skeet Reese idles from the livewell check early on Day One.
The masked man known as Skeet Reese idles from the livewell check early on Day One.
Bobby Lane has flexed his muscle as an Elite Series rookie and continues to have a stranglehold on the 2008 Advance Auto Parts Rookie of the Year standings.
Bobby Lane has flexed his muscle as an Elite Series rookie and continues to have a stranglehold on the 2008 Advance Auto Parts Rookie of the Year standings.
ESPNOutdoors.com writer Don Barone continues his tour of the south, while observing the Day One launch of the Southern Challenge.
ESPNOutdoors.com writer Don Barone continues his tour of the south, while observing the Day One launch of the Southern Challenge.