2008 Southern Challenge: Day Three Launch

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

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Jimmy Sparks and Tommy Swindle talk with 2007 Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year Skeet Reese in the parking lot of the launch area on Day Three of the Southern Challenge presented by Advance Auto Parts.
Jimmy Sparks and Tommy Swindle talk with 2007 Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year Skeet Reese in the parking lot of the launch area on Day Three of the Southern Challenge presented by Advance Auto Parts.
Rick Clunn makes final adjustments to his electronics early on Day Three.
Rick Clunn makes final adjustments to his electronics early on Day Three.
BASS officials look over the details of the morning launch just prior to line-up.
BASS officials look over the details of the morning launch just prior to line-up.
Terry Scroggins has held the pack at bay during the Southern Challenge, doubling his lead on Day Two.
Terry Scroggins has held the pack at bay during the Southern Challenge, doubling his lead on Day Two.
Jeremy Starks has his eye on the prize as well, fishing very conservative and still placing substantial pressure on Scroggins, the leader.
Jeremy Starks has his eye on the prize as well, fishing very conservative and still placing substantial pressure on Scroggins, the leader.
Shaw Grigsby heads into Day Three in third place. He said the fish were choking themselves on the Strike King prototype bait that he is using.
Shaw Grigsby heads into Day Three in third place. He said the fish were choking themselves on the Strike King prototype bait that he is using.
The field is led out onto the lake by Terry Scroggins, the tournament leader. Scroggins has maintained the lead since Day One.
The field is led out onto the lake by Terry Scroggins, the tournament leader. Scroggins has maintained the lead since Day One.
Scroggins takes his hole-shot while Alabama BASS fans (foreground) cheer on the pros as they leave the harbor.
Scroggins takes his hole-shot while Alabama BASS fans (foreground) cheer on the pros as they leave the harbor.
The water is slick as the dead calm causes the mercury rise early on Day Three.
The water is slick as the dead calm causes the mercury rise early on Day Three.
The field of pros will be cut to 12 at the end of today and the co-anglers will crown a champion.
The field of pros will be cut to 12 at the end of today and the co-anglers will crown a champion.
Grant Goldbeck is feeling confident on Day Three.
Grant Goldbeck is feeling confident on Day Three.
The legendary Tommy Biffle heads out onto Wheeler Lake. He goes into Day Three in 37th place.
The legendary Tommy Biffle heads out onto Wheeler Lake. He goes into Day Three in 37th place.
BASS fans are doing back-flips over the Bassmaster Elite Series on its stop in beautiful Alabama on Wheeler Lake.
BASS fans are doing back-flips over the Bassmaster Elite Series on its stop in beautiful Alabama on Wheeler Lake.
Cliff Pace threads a hook through a monster sized worm early on Day Three.
Cliff Pace threads a hook through a monster sized worm early on Day Three.
Shaw Grigsby puts the finishing touches on a spinnerbait as he makes final preparations early on Day Three.
Shaw Grigsby puts the finishing touches on a spinnerbait as he makes final preparations early on Day Three.
Daniel Casteel II and his father sit and watch Kevin VanDam launch his boat in the early morning hours of Day Three.
Daniel Casteel II and his father sit and watch Kevin VanDam launch his boat in the early morning hours of Day Three.
Bill Lowen personalizes a jig before he heads out to battle for one of the top-12 positions to fish on Day Four.
Bill Lowen personalizes a jig before he heads out to battle for one of the top-12 positions to fish on Day Four.
Kevin VanDam also makes final lure adjustments so that he will be ready when he reaches his first fishing spot of the day. He heads into Day Three in fourth place overall.
Kevin VanDam also makes final lure adjustments so that he will be ready when he reaches his first fishing spot of the day. He heads into Day Three in fourth place overall.
BASS tournament director Trip Weldon talks with Texas-pro Todd Faircloth before line-up on Day Three.
BASS tournament director Trip Weldon talks with Texas-pro Todd Faircloth before line-up on Day Three.
Alton Jones Jr. is fishing with pro Glenn Delong on Day Three. Alton said he hoped he could get two big bites today to climb higher in the standings.
Alton Jones Jr. is fishing with pro Glenn Delong on Day Three. Alton said he hoped he could get two big bites today to climb higher in the standings.
Scoot Rook (foreground) looks on as Gerald Swindle fights an invisible bass and tells a story about a Wheeler Lake bass.
Scoot Rook (foreground) looks on as Gerald Swindle fights an invisible bass and tells a story about a Wheeler Lake bass.
With the field cut to the top 50 anglers, the harbor is much less congested on Saturday.
With the field cut to the top 50 anglers, the harbor is much less congested on Saturday.
Steve Kennedy stows his gear before getting into the line-up for launch.
Steve Kennedy stows his gear before getting into the line-up for launch.
Timmy Horton reflects as his tools for battle are splayed across the deck.
Timmy Horton reflects as his tools for battle are splayed across the deck.
Sunshine and humid, stagnant air greeted the anglers on Day Three.
Sunshine and humid, stagnant air greeted the anglers on Day Three.
Fans in boats wait just outside the harbor as the pros leave the dock.
Fans in boats wait just outside the harbor as the pros leave the dock.
Morizo Shimizu heads out onto Wheeler Lake in sixth place. The top-12 will go do battle on the Tennessee River impoundment on Sunday's final day.
Morizo Shimizu heads out onto Wheeler Lake in sixth place. The top-12 will go do battle on the Tennessee River impoundment on Sunday’s final day.
Jimmy Mize starts Day Three in 18th place, well within striking distance of the top-12.
Jimmy Mize starts Day Three in 18th place, well within striking distance of the top-12.
Todd Auten, from Lake Wylie, S.C., heads out onto Wheeler Lake. He starts the day in 22nd place.
Todd Auten, from Lake Wylie, S.C., heads out onto Wheeler Lake. He starts the day in 22nd place.
Peter Thliveros idles past the spectators on the launch of Day Three of the Southern Challenge.
Peter Thliveros idles past the spectators on the launch of Day Three of the Southern Challenge.
Mike McClelland tries to separate himself from the rest of the field in the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings and secure a top-12 spot on Day Three.
Mike McClelland tries to separate himself from the rest of the field in the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings and secure a top-12 spot on Day Three.
Brian Clark goes into Day Three in 43rd place. You can read about him in Don Barone's blog on Bassmaster.com.
Brian Clark goes into Day Three in 43rd place. You can read about him in Don Barone’s blog on Bassmaster.com.