2011 Dixie Duel: Day Three Launch

Images from the Day Three launch of the 2011 Dixie Duel on Wheeler Lake.

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<p> Ott DeFoe prepares his rods for the start of Day Three.</p>
Ott DeFoe prepares his rods for the start of Day Three.
<p> Tommy Biffle ties on a popping frog for Day Three.</p>
Tommy Biffle ties on a popping frog for Day Three.
<p> Edwin Evers, one of the only anglers left who has a long shot at over taking Kevin VanDam for the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year title, prepares his rods for the day.</p>
Edwin Evers, one of the only anglers left who has a long shot at over taking Kevin VanDam for the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year title, prepares his rods for the day.
<p> Gerald Swindle visits with Scott Rook and Peter Thliveros before take off Saturday.</p>
Gerald Swindle visits with Scott Rook and Peter Thliveros before take off Saturday.
<p> Bradley Roy sits quietly and focuses on the day ahead of him.</p>
Bradley Roy sits quietly and focuses on the day ahead of him.
<p> A line of competitors stand for the National Anthem.</p>
A line of competitors stand for the National Anthem.
<p> Greg Hackney idles through check-out on Day Three.</p>
Greg Hackney idles through check-out on Day Three.
<p> Skeet Reese looks at the camera as he idles through check-out on Day Three.</p>
Skeet Reese looks at the camera as he idles through check-out on Day Three.
<p> Kevin VanDam is just a few fish and a formality away from capturing his seventh Angler of the Year title.</p>
Kevin VanDam is just a few fish and a formality away from capturing his seventh Angler of the Year title.
<p> Peter Thilivers leads a line of boats through the check-out.</p>
Peter Thilivers leads a line of boats through the check-out.
<p> Gerald Swindle gets his rods ready as he visits with leader, David Walker.</p>
Gerald Swindle gets his rods ready as he visits with leader, David Walker.
<p> Kevin VanDam, flanked by his sons Jackson and Nicholas, stand for the National Anthem.</p>
Kevin VanDam, flanked by his sons Jackson and Nicholas, stand for the National Anthem.
<p> Once the anthem was over, VanDam listens to instructions for the day as his sons take a moment to rest.</p>
Once the anthem was over, VanDam listens to instructions for the day as his sons take a moment to rest.
<p> David Walker and  Wes Miller get ready for launch.</p>
David Walker and  Wes Miller get ready for launch.
<p> Jeff Kriet and Chris Lane walk down the dock and visit before the take-off Saturday.</p>
Jeff Kriet and Chris Lane walk down the dock and visit before the take-off Saturday.
<p> Terry Scroggins and Scott Rook talk about the day before launching Saturday.</p>
Terry Scroggins and Scott Rook talk about the day before launching Saturday.
<p> Keith Poche ties on a frog for Day Three.</p>
Keith Poche ties on a frog for Day Three.
<p> Timmy Horton and Denny Brauer visit before the start of Day Three.</p>
Timmy Horton and Denny Brauer visit before the start of Day Three.
<p> Jeff Kriet gets his rods ready for Day Three.</p>
Jeff Kriet gets his rods ready for Day Three.
<p> Kelly Jordon changes his bait hooks before the start of Day Three.</p>
Kelly Jordon changes his bait hooks before the start of Day Three.
<p> Ott DeFoe stands for the National Anthem minutes before Day Three begins.</p>
Ott DeFoe stands for the National Anthem minutes before Day Three begins.
<p> Wes Miller, a Bassmaster cameraman, has a camera strapped to his forehead to capture the initial run on take off.</p>
Wes Miller, a Bassmaster cameraman, has a camera strapped to his forehead to capture the initial run on take off.
<p> The line of boats on Saturday idle toward the take-off position in the middle of Lake Wheeler.</p>
The line of boats on Saturday idle toward the take-off position in the middle of Lake Wheeler.