B.A.S.S. Nation sponsor dinner

Check out images from the pre-tournament sponsor dinner!

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At the beginning of the sponsor dinner, sponsors laid out goodies …
At the beginning of the sponsor dinner, sponsors laid out goodies …
… for competitors in the 2013 B.A.S.S. Nation Championship to take home.
… for competitors in the 2013 B.A.S.S. Nation Championship to take home.
Hats were a popular item …
Hats were a popular item …
… and contenders even got one of the winning lures of the 2013 Bassmaster Classic, the Jackall Squad Minnow. It was on display next to new Shimano reels.
… and contenders even got one of the winning lures of the 2013 Bassmaster Classic, the Jackall Squad Minnow. It was on display next to new Shimano reels.
Anglers got to choose a hat or a face shield.
Anglers got to choose a hat or a face shield.
Brandon Palaniuk, champion of the 2010 B.A.S.S. Nation Championship, wasn’t at the sponsor dinner in person, but his cardboard cutout was there as part of the Rigid Industries display.
Brandon Palaniuk, champion of the 2010 B.A.S.S. Nation Championship, wasn’t at the sponsor dinner in person, but his cardboard cutout was there as part of the Rigid Industries display.
Competitors got a BoatU.S. hat, as well as an opportunity to sign up for the service.
Competitors got a BoatU.S. hat, as well as an opportunity to sign up for the service.
More hats …
More hats …
… and more hats. No one has an excuse for a sunburned scalp at this tournament.
… and more hats. No one has an excuse for a sunburned scalp at this tournament.
Competitors began making their way through line, collecting their loot.
Competitors began making their way through line, collecting their loot.
Anglers signed up for chances to win other prizes, too.
Anglers signed up for chances to win other prizes, too.
Coby Carden of Alabama was the first to make it all the way through line, and he could barely carry all of his sponsor gear, which included Carhartt jackets and pants.
Coby Carden of Alabama was the first to make it all the way through line, and he could barely carry all of his sponsor gear, which included Carhartt jackets and pants.
By the time Juan Ro Chagollan Jr. of Mexico got through the line, B.A.S.S. staffers had equipped the contenders with bags to carry all the goodies.
By the time Juan Ro Chagollan Jr. of Mexico got through the line, B.A.S.S. staffers had equipped the contenders with bags to carry all the goodies.
The sponsor dinner was a chance for sponsor representatives to thank anglers for their dedication to the B.A.S.S. Nation and to wish them luck in the tournament.
The sponsor dinner was a chance for sponsor representatives to thank anglers for their dedication to the B.A.S.S. Nation and to wish them luck in the tournament.
Manual Trevino, the Mexico B.A.S.S. Nation president, translated information to Alberto Rodriguez Oliver, left, the contender from Spain.
Manual Trevino, the Mexico B.A.S.S. Nation president, translated information to Alberto Rodriguez Oliver, left, the contender from Spain.
Anglers were in good spirits while receiving their free stuff!
Anglers were in good spirits while receiving their free stuff!
Brandie and Joe Cole chat with Kendell Callaway, the representative from Toyota.
Brandie and Joe Cole chat with Kendell Callaway, the representative from Toyota.
Other contenders wait in line with their families to collect their goodies.
Other contenders wait in line with their families to collect their goodies.
Mike Landy and Ron Welch of California have a good time outside the sponsor room.
Mike Landy and Ron Welch of California have a good time outside the sponsor room.
Jerry Ramasci, right, the youth director for the Massachusetts B.A.S.S. Nation, surprises Haaby Gonzalez-Mestre, the president of the Spain B.A.S.S. Nation, with a traditional Italian greeting.
Jerry Ramasci, right, the youth director for the Massachusetts B.A.S.S. Nation, surprises Haaby Gonzalez-Mestre, the president of the Spain B.A.S.S. Nation, with a traditional Italian greeting.
Chip Servant, president of the Massachusetts B.A.S.S. Nation, has gotten to be good friends with all the members of the Spain B.A.S.S. Nation team, including championship contender Alberto Rodriguez Oliver.
Chip Servant, president of the Massachusetts B.A.S.S. Nation, has gotten to be good friends with all the members of the Spain B.A.S.S. Nation team, including championship contender Alberto Rodriguez Oliver.
Officers of the Eastern Division chapters pose with their comrade, Bassmaster.com writer Don Barone.
Officers of the Eastern Division chapters pose with their comrade, Bassmaster.com writer Don Barone.
Presidents from Alabama, Georgia and Michigan chat while waiting for dinner …
Presidents from Alabama, Georgia and Michigan chat while waiting for dinner …
… and now dinner is served.
… and now dinner is served.
Competitors feasted on Southern cooking from Adams Catfish.
Competitors feasted on Southern cooking from Adams Catfish.
And they were happy to show how much they were enjoying it.
And they were happy to show how much they were enjoying it.
Brandie and Joe Cole started their own tailgate party while dining.
Brandie and Joe Cole started their own tailgate party while dining.
There was plenty of food for everyone, with plenty left over. The remaining food was donated to a local homeless shelter.
There was plenty of food for everyone, with plenty left over. The remaining food was donated to a local homeless shelter.
Juan Ro Chagollan and Alberto Rodriguez Oliver enjoyed having someone to speak to in their native tongue. The pair spoke Spanish through the food line.
Juan Ro Chagollan and Alberto Rodriguez Oliver enjoyed having someone to speak to in their native tongue. The pair spoke Spanish through the food line.
Dave Mercer, Bassmaster emcee, and Al Evans, Ohio B.A.S.S. Nation president, posed for a photo at the end of the evening.
Dave Mercer, Bassmaster emcee, and Al Evans, Ohio B.A.S.S. Nation president, posed for a photo at the end of the evening.