Long before the anglers arrive, the BASS crew is putting ice and sack lunches in the competitors boats for Day One of the Bassmaster Federation Nation Championship.
Photo: Larry Towell
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Each competitor will have the exact same equipment on board their identical Skeeter/Yamaha bass boats.
Photo: Larry Towell
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Tournament Director Jon Stewart welcomes the anglers to the "boat yard" as they get off of the bus from the hotel.
Photo: Larry Towell
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Bob Lechel fills his ice box with ice as he starts to prepare for Day One.
Photo: Larry Towell
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Joey Nania ties on a bait before launch on Day One.
Photo: Larry Towell
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Tony Beck preps equipment as he readies for the first day of competition.
Photo: Larry Towell
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Brian Maloney makes his boat ready for competition.
Photo: Larry Towell
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Ron Ryals also takes this time before launch to prepare for Day One.
Photo: Larry Towell
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Sean Alvarez sprays on sun screen in the pre-dawn hours before launch.
Photo: Larry Towell
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Abe Kalechman replaces a lure on one of the rods he will use on Day One of the BFNC.
Photo: Larry Towell
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Crews work at a breakneck pace to hook the Skeeter boats to Toyota trucks as the launch gets underway.
Photo: Larry Towell
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Jay Evans is backed into the water at the Red River Marina South on Day One of competition.
Photo: Larry Towell
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Families line the docks to get a look at the anglers as they make final preparations for Day One.
Photo: Larry Towell
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Ron Ryals gives a BASSCam interview at the dock before official launch. Ron represents the Paralyzed Veteran's of America at the Federation Nation Championships.
Photo: Larry Towell
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Fans hold signs in support of Rob Digh of North Carolina.
Photo: Larry Towell
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Boats begin to gather in front of the inspection dock as the sun starts to rise.
Photo: Larry Towell
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Justy Varkevisser leaves the docks to take to the Red River.
Photo: Larry Towell
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A line of competitors idle out past the no wake zone before taking off to their first spots of the day.
Photo: Larry Towell
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The final few boats in the last flight take off from Red River Marina South.
Photo: Larry Towell
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Anglers visit as they wait for the launch to start.
Photo: Larry Towell
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The competitors honor the flag as the national anthem is played.
Photo: Larry Towell
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There are several competitors that take the last moments before launch to separate and make final adjustments to their gear.
Photo: Larry Towell
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Joey Nania makes his way through launch. He is a former Junior World Champion and is now fishing the Federation and Bassmaster Open series.
Photo: Larry Towell
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