Final practice launch

See the anglers take off on Lake Hartwell for the final practice day before the 2015 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro.

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The morning launch area at Green Pond Landing was lit up early as Classic competitors began to arrive for the final day of practice.
The morning launch area at Green Pond Landing was lit up early as Classic competitors began to arrive for the final day of practice.
One of the more popular early morning stops was the hospitality tent for a hot cup of coffee.
One of the more popular early morning stops was the hospitality tent for a hot cup of coffee.
Edwin Evers and Stephen Browning were two of the first boats to arrive at the ramp.
Edwin Evers and Stephen Browning were two of the first boats to arrive at the ramp.
South Dakota’s Troy Diede is fishing his first Bassmaster Classic. Diede is a B.A.S.S. Nation qualifier and is 30 years old.
South Dakota’s Troy Diede is fishing his first Bassmaster Classic. Diede is a B.A.S.S. Nation qualifier and is 30 years old.
Jason Christie rolls in to the ramp to launch his boat.
Jason Christie rolls in to the ramp to launch his boat.
Christie times two.
Christie times two.
Marshals line the drive to the ramp to hook up with the pro they will ride with during practice.
Marshals line the drive to the ramp to hook up with the pro they will ride with during practice.
Cliff Crochet backs his rig into the water.
Cliff Crochet backs his rig into the water.
David Kilgore sits in his truck to enjoy a little more heat while waiting to launch.
David Kilgore sits in his truck to enjoy a little more heat while waiting to launch.
Cliff Prince had his GoPro HERO4 mounted and ready to record his day on the water.
Cliff Prince had his GoPro HERO4 mounted and ready to record his day on the water.
Greg Hackney was one of the first anglers to have his boat in the water.
Greg Hackney was one of the first anglers to have his boat in the water.
Boats begin to line the launch dock at dawn.
Boats begin to line the launch dock at dawn.
Randy Howell knows how it feels to win a Bassmaster Classic. The defending champ was the last man standing after last year’s Classic on Lake Guntersville.
Randy Howell knows how it feels to win a Bassmaster Classic. The defending champ was the last man standing after last year’s Classic on Lake Guntersville.
Brandon Palaniuk is known for sharing incredible fishing videos shot with GoPro cameras, on social media. It’s looking like he’ll have video recording from several different angles today.
Brandon Palaniuk is known for sharing incredible fishing videos shot with GoPro cameras, on social media. It’s looking like he’ll have video recording from several different angles today.
Mike Iaconelli was pulling all the artillery from his rod lockers.
Mike Iaconelli was pulling all the artillery from his rod lockers.
Pre-tournament favorite Casey Ashley pounds down one last cup of coffee.
Pre-tournament favorite Casey Ashley pounds down one last cup of coffee.
Morizo Shimizu wears some of the more unique caps you will see during an Elite Series event.
Morizo Shimizu wears some of the more unique caps you will see during an Elite Series event.
Looks like Brett Preuett’s boat deck could be a little slick this morning.
Looks like Brett Preuett’s boat deck could be a little slick this morning.
Cliff Prince and his wife setting up a ‘Classic’ selfie.
Cliff Prince and his wife setting up a ‘Classic’ selfie.
Keith Combs was ready to get this thing started.
Keith Combs was ready to get this thing started.
Troy Diede may have the best camo option on the water if it starts to snow.
Troy Diede may have the best camo option on the water if it starts to snow.
The national anthem was played before the first boat left the dock.
The national anthem was played before the first boat left the dock.
You’ll see a lot of video shot by Wes Miller when you tune in to the Classic television show.
You’ll see a lot of video shot by Wes Miller when you tune in to the Classic television show.
Time to grab that last bit of gear out of dry storage. It’s time to hit the water.
Time to grab that last bit of gear out of dry storage. It’s time to hit the water.
Andy Young is a Classic rookie from Minnesota. He was shooting photos with his smart phone all morning to preserve his Classic memories.
Andy Young is a Classic rookie from Minnesota. He was shooting photos with his smart phone all morning to preserve his Classic memories.
Brian Snowden makes sure one last time that everything’s strapped down tight, for a cold, early morning boat ride.
Brian Snowden makes sure one last time that everything’s strapped down tight, for a cold, early morning boat ride.
You can put on layers and layers of clothes, but it’s often the hands that suffer the worst from the cold.
You can put on layers and layers of clothes, but it’s often the hands that suffer the worst from the cold.
David Walker ready to drop the visor on his helmet and get his morning started.
David Walker ready to drop the visor on his helmet and get his morning started.
Randall Tharp fights to get his helmet on. But in the end it will be worth the effort.
Randall Tharp fights to get his helmet on. But in the end it will be worth the effort.
You can see it in his eyes; Todd Faircloth has been fighting a bit of illness the past few days. But he’s Texas tough and is ready to fight through in and compete for bass fishing’s biggest prize.
You can see it in his eyes; Todd Faircloth has been fighting a bit of illness the past few days. But he’s Texas tough and is ready to fight through in and compete for bass fishing’s biggest prize.
The masked man pictured here is Mark Davis. Davis is making his 18th Classic appearance.
The masked man pictured here is Mark Davis. Davis is making his 18th Classic appearance.
Takahiro Omori won the 2004 Bassmaster Classic about 100 miles from here, on North Carolina’s Lake Wylie.
Takahiro Omori won the 2004 Bassmaster Classic about 100 miles from here, on North Carolina’s Lake Wylie.
Shinichi Fukae is fishing his first Bassmaster Classic. Fukae qualified after his Northern Open win on New York’s Lake Champlain.
Shinichi Fukae is fishing his first Bassmaster Classic. Fukae qualified after his Northern Open win on New York’s Lake Champlain.
Bassmaster photographer Seigo Saito is spending his day on the water with Morizo Shimizu.
Bassmaster photographer Seigo Saito is spending his day on the water with Morizo Shimizu.
After pulling close to twenty rods from his rod locker, Mike Iaconelli begins to organize them on the deck of the boat.
After pulling close to twenty rods from his rod locker, Mike Iaconelli begins to organize them on the deck of the boat.
Despite having the latest electronics in his boat, Van Soles pulls a paper map from his dry storage and goes old school.
Despite having the latest electronics in his boat, Van Soles pulls a paper map from his dry storage and goes old school.
Somewhere beneath all those clothes is Kevin Short.
Somewhere beneath all those clothes is Kevin Short.
Pretty obvious who this helmet belongs to.
Pretty obvious who this helmet belongs to.
Pace pours over his Lowrance electronics one last time before leaving the dock.
Pace pours over his Lowrance electronics one last time before leaving the dock.
Aly Myles, accompanied by videographer Quincy Green were on the dock broadcasting Classic updates for viewers watching WYFF, Channel 4 in Greenville, S.C.
Aly Myles, accompanied by videographer Quincy Green were on the dock broadcasting Classic updates for viewers watching WYFF, Channel 4 in Greenville, S.C.
After several cloudy days, the sun showing itself was a welcome sight for everybody this morning.
After several cloudy days, the sun showing itself was a welcome sight for everybody this morning.
Brandon Palaniuk waits for his boat number to be called.
Brandon Palaniuk waits for his boat number to be called.