Day 1 begins

See the pros hit the waters of Kentucky Lake for the first day of competition in the Zippo BASSfest at Kentucky Lake presented by A.R.E. Truck Caps.

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Pre-dawn traffic picks up at the Paris Landing launch site.
Pre-dawn traffic picks up at the Paris Landing launch site.
Fans and families mill around the line of trucks and boats.
Fans and families mill around the line of trucks and boats.
The early birds have time to prepare on Kentucky Lake.
The early birds have time to prepare on Kentucky Lake.
One fan looks on as the sun rises.
One fan looks on as the sun rises.
Jason Christie gets his boat organized for Day 1 of the Zippo BASSfest at Kentucky Lake presented by A.R.E. Truck Caps.
Jason Christie gets his boat organized for Day 1 of the Zippo BASSfest at Kentucky Lake presented by A.R.E. Truck Caps.
More boats line up for launch.
More boats line up for launch.
Kevin VanDam backs down the ramp.
Kevin VanDam backs down the ramp.
Jordan Lee prepares for a full day of fishing.
Jordan Lee prepares for a full day of fishing.
Zell Rowland climbs aboard.
Zell Rowland climbs aboard.
Skeet Reese has a little time to work.
Skeet Reese has a little time to work.
Slowly but surely, the pros take to the water.
Slowly but surely, the pros take to the water.
Gerald Swindle shares some time with Stephen Browning.
Gerald Swindle shares some time with Stephen Browning.
Brandon Palaniuk is ready for BASSfest to begin.
Brandon Palaniuk is ready for BASSfest to begin.
Cliff Pirch makes final preparations.
Cliff Pirch makes final preparations.
Morizo Shimizu is in the driver's seat.
Morizo Shimizu is in the driver’s seat.
It's hard to miss Fletcher Shryock's tournament rig.
It’s hard to miss Fletcher Shryock’s tournament rig.
Jesse Tacorante may be a new face for Bassmaster Elite Series fans.
Jesse Tacorante may be a new face for Bassmaster Elite Series fans.
It's almost time to begin.
It’s almost time to begin.
Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year points leader Dean Rojas stands for the national anthem.
Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year points leader Dean Rojas stands for the national anthem.
One fan takes pictures as the launch begins.
One fan takes pictures as the launch begins.
Bernie Schultz was one the early launchers for Day 1.
Bernie Schultz was one the early launchers for Day 1.
The line of fancy bass boat rolls one by.
The line of fancy bass boat rolls one by.
Aussie Carl Jocumsen is all smiles for the first day of BASSfest.
Aussie Carl Jocumsen is all smiles for the first day of BASSfest.
The boats slowly float in and get organized for launch.
The boats slowly float in and get organized for launch.
Fresh off a win at the Toyota Texas Bass Classic, it's Brent Ehrler.
Fresh off a win at the Toyota Texas Bass Classic, it’s Brent Ehrler.
The large field of competitors keeps rolling by.
The large field of competitors keeps rolling by.
Kevin VanDam is no stranger to great performances on Kentucky Lake.
Kevin VanDam is no stranger to great performances on Kentucky Lake.
Justin Lucas looks to continue his 2015 success.
Justin Lucas looks to continue his 2015 success.
Bass fans enjoy an up-close look at the pros and their rigs.
Bass fans enjoy an up-close look at the pros and their rigs.
A gaggle of geese watch the proceedings.
A gaggle of geese watch the proceedings.
Brandon Lester stands at attention.
Brandon Lester stands at attention.
Michael Iaconelli is looking to recapture his fishing mojo.
Michael Iaconelli is looking to recapture his fishing mojo.
Takahiro Omori awaits his turn.
Takahiro Omori awaits his turn.
The boats are bunched up as the launch proceeds.
The boats are bunched up as the launch proceeds.
More fans gather...
More fans gather…
...and family members watch too.
…and family members watch too.
Mike McClelland helps his marshal aboard.
Mike McClelland helps his marshal aboard.
Tournament Director Trip Weldon makes final announcements.
Tournament Director Trip Weldon makes final announcements.
With a large field, it's boats on boats in the pier area.
With a large field, it’s boats on boats in the pier area.
The pier begins to get crowded.
The pier begins to get crowded.
Another group makes a break for Kentucky Lake.
Another group makes a break for Kentucky Lake.
The boat crowd is getting smaller.
The boat crowd is getting smaller.
The last few competitors get ready for blast off.
The last few competitors get ready for blast off.
Kevin Short always looks dapper.
Kevin Short always looks dapper.
David Walker is ready to roll.
David Walker is ready to roll.
Day 1 of the Zippo BASSfest at Kentucky Lake presented by A.R.E. Truck Caps is live!
Day 1 of the Zippo BASSfest at Kentucky Lake presented by A.R.E. Truck Caps is live!