Championship Sunday launch

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It’s Championship Sunday here in Palatka Florida on the St. Johns River and Carhartt/Strike King pro Jordan Lee has made his first Sunday 12 cut!
It’s Championship Sunday here in Palatka Florida on the St. Johns River and Carhartt/Strike King pro Jordan Lee has made his first Sunday 12 cut!
Justin Lucas backs his boat down to the water in the damp, dark warmth of the Florida pre-dawn.
Justin Lucas backs his boat down to the water in the damp, dark warmth of the Florida pre-dawn.
Lucas stows a few last minute items in his ARE truck cap.
Lucas stows a few last minute items in his ARE truck cap.
Local hammer Terry Scroggins rolls into take off next and preps his boat as his marshal backs him down the ramp.
Local hammer Terry Scroggins rolls into take off next and preps his boat as his marshal backs him down the ramp.
Terry is starting his day in fourth place and needs a solid bag today to move up the standings.
Terry is starting his day in fourth place and needs a solid bag today to move up the standings.
Scroggins looks happy to be fishing his home water surrounded by family, friends and fans!
Scroggins looks happy to be fishing his home water surrounded by family, friends and fans!
Jason Christie was next to launch his boat. When we caught up to him he explained that he had forgot to plug his boat in last night and was disconnecting an external power source… he seemed to think he would have enough juice to make it through the day.
Jason Christie was next to launch his boat. When we caught up to him he explained that he had forgot to plug his boat in last night and was disconnecting an external power source… he seemed to think he would have enough juice to make it through the day.
Christie packs up his cords and hops in his truck to put the boat in.
Christie packs up his cords and hops in his truck to put the boat in.
Cliff Prince was already rigging up while he was being launched and was in great spirits!
Cliff Prince was already rigging up while he was being launched and was in great spirits!
Prince carefully ties on a lure that just might bring in the big one on Championship Sunday.
Prince carefully ties on a lure that just might bring in the big one on Championship Sunday.
Tharp checks out his rods and straps his fords down for blast off.
Tharp checks out his rods and straps his fords down for blast off.
Christie digs through a few bags of skirts to find the perfect match to what he is throwing.
Christie digs through a few bags of skirts to find the perfect match to what he is throwing.
Drew Benton looks ready for action on day four and was very excited to be fishing on Sunday.
Drew Benton looks ready for action on day four and was very excited to be fishing on Sunday.
Benton pulls out a few baits to tie on while he waits for blast off.
Benton pulls out a few baits to tie on while he waits for blast off.
Marty Robinson rigs up in the glow of his green and white deck lights.
Marty Robinson rigs up in the glow of his green and white deck lights.
Justin Lucas makes a few last minute preparations.
Justin Lucas makes a few last minute preparations.
Cliff Prince and his support crew were having a great time hanging out on the dock, in fact there were so many of them that they practically took up the whole dock!
Cliff Prince and his support crew were having a great time hanging out on the dock, in fact there were so many of them that they practically took up the whole dock!
Bassmaster MC Dave Mercer interviews Greg Hackney who is currently sitting in second place behind fishing legend Rick Clunn.
Bassmaster MC Dave Mercer interviews Greg Hackney who is currently sitting in second place behind fishing legend Rick Clunn.
Tournament leader Rick Clunn and his son River are all smiles as they wait in Rick’s boat in the front of the blast off line.
Tournament leader Rick Clunn and his son River are all smiles as they wait in Rick’s boat in the front of the blast off line.
Dave Mercer asks Justin Lucas what it would be like to fish professionally as long as Rick Clunn has… Lucas couldn’t even imagine fishing, and being successful, for that long. “Fishing is such a great sport because both young people and older people can compete at a high level, I just cant imagine fishing as long as Clunn has!”
Dave Mercer asks Justin Lucas what it would be like to fish professionally as long as Rick Clunn has… Lucas couldn’t even imagine fishing, and being successful, for that long. “Fishing is such a great sport because both young people and older people can compete at a high level, I just cant imagine fishing as long as Clunn has!”
Tournament director Trip Weldon goes in for a final hand shake with leader Rick Clunn!
Tournament director Trip Weldon goes in for a final hand shake with leader Rick Clunn!
Mercer asks Clunn a few questions about his fishing plans for the day.
Mercer asks Clunn a few questions about his fishing plans for the day.
Just 30 seconds before takeoff Rick Clunn sits calm and quiet in the water.
Just 30 seconds before takeoff Rick Clunn sits calm and quiet in the water.
Cliff Prince waves to his family as he heads out to fish.
Cliff Prince waves to his family as he heads out to fish.
Davy Hite follows Prince…
Davy Hite follows Prince…
…then Marty Robinson.
…then Marty Robinson.
Drew Benton gives the camera a point as he puts the pedal down behind Marty.
Drew Benton gives the camera a point as he puts the pedal down behind Marty.
Jordan Lee heads out to fish in his first top 12 cut on the Bassmaster Elite Series!
Jordan Lee heads out to fish in his first top 12 cut on the Bassmaster Elite Series!
And last but not least, sitting in 12th place, Tharp rolls out to try and make a jump in the final standings!
And last but not least, sitting in 12th place, Tharp rolls out to try and make a jump in the final standings!