Classic: Official Day 1 take-off

Classic anglers take off on Day One of the 2014 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by Diet Mountain Dew and GoPro.

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The first anglers arrive at Guntersville City Park for the 2014 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by Diet Mountain Dew and GoPro.
The first anglers arrive at Guntersville City Park for the 2014 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by Diet Mountain Dew and GoPro.
Spectators are lined up on shore.
Spectators are lined up on shore.
One of the 55 competitors idles into City Park.
One of the 55 competitors idles into City Park.
Fans record the proceedings.
Fans record the proceedings.
Guntersville did a lot of work to improve City Park, including the new dock.
Guntersville did a lot of work to improve City Park, including the new dock.
A remote control helicopter equipped with GoPro cameras captures the scene.
A remote control helicopter equipped with GoPro cameras captures the scene.
Chris Lane, who lives on Lake Guntersville, was one of early arrivals.
Chris Lane, who lives on Lake Guntersville, was one of early arrivals.
Anglers begin filling the dock. The competitors launched around the corner at Tom Jackson Park, known in Guntersville as the ballfields.
Anglers begin filling the dock. The competitors launched around the corner at Tom Jackson Park, known in Guntersville as the ballfields.
More fans arrive.
More fans arrive.
Casey Ashley’s smile is recognizable.
Casey Ashley’s smile is recognizable.
Josh Bertrand participates in some dock talk.
Josh Bertrand participates in some dock talk.
Hank Cherry is interviewed with a GoPro on an extension pole.
Hank Cherry is interviewed with a GoPro on an extension pole.
Skeet Reese poses for a photo.
Skeet Reese poses for a photo.
Todd Faircloth gets a helping hand.
Todd Faircloth gets a helping hand.
Brent Chapman gets interviewed.
Brent Chapman gets interviewed.
Bill Lowen works on his tackle.
Bill Lowen works on his tackle.
Emcee Dave Mercer interviews Chris Lane and Guntersville Mayor Leigh Dollar.
Emcee Dave Mercer interviews Chris Lane and Guntersville Mayor Leigh Dollar.
With all the anglers and media, the dock is crowded.
With all the anglers and media, the dock is crowded.
Weekend Series champion Adam Wagner is just chilling out.
Weekend Series champion Adam Wagner is just chilling out.
Dave Mercer gets Trip Weldon’s take, which went out on the public address system.
Dave Mercer gets Trip Weldon’s take, which went out on the public address system.
Cameraman Brian Mason mikes up Jordan Lee.
Cameraman Brian Mason mikes up Jordan Lee.
Members of the media work to get content.
Members of the media work to get content.
Robbie Floyd interviews Brandon Palaniuk.
Robbie Floyd interviews Brandon Palaniuk.
At 6-foot-9, David Kilgore truly is standing tall.
At 6-foot-9, David Kilgore truly is standing tall.
Fans for the Japanese contingent of competitors brought plenty of flags.
Fans for the Japanese contingent of competitors brought plenty of flags.
School was out in Guntersville on Friday and a number of kids came to the launch.
School was out in Guntersville on Friday and a number of kids came to the launch.
Dean Rojas makes a point.
Dean Rojas makes a point.
David Walker shows off his pearly whites.
David Walker shows off his pearly whites.
Terry Scroggins is ready for the Big Show.
Terry Scroggins is ready for the Big Show.
Ish Monroe has some tying left to do.
Ish Monroe has some tying left to do.
Jordan Lee stands alone as the only collegiate in the field.
Jordan Lee stands alone as the only collegiate in the field.
It is sort of an organized chaos.
It is sort of an organized chaos.
Chris Lane is a popular man.
Chris Lane is a popular man.
A Fred Roumbanis fan flashes some Boom, Boom.
A Fred Roumbanis fan flashes some Boom, Boom.
Cliff Pirch checks on one the GoPro cameras on his boat.
Cliff Pirch checks on one the GoPro cameras on his boat.
There’s a virtual horde of media.
There’s a virtual horde of media.
Rich Howes focuses.
Rich Howes focuses.
The GEICO Gecko was fitted with a life vest.
The GEICO Gecko was fitted with a life vest.
Edwin Evers does an interview with Dave Mercer that went out on the Bassmaster live feed.
Edwin Evers does an interview with Dave Mercer that went out on the Bassmaster live feed.
Photographers appear to be sniping at one another.
Photographers appear to be sniping at one another.
Mark Davis stands at attention for the national anthem.
Mark Davis stands at attention for the national anthem.
Hey Mark, turn that frown upside-down.
Hey Mark, turn that frown upside-down.
Cliff Pirch (left) and Terry Scroggins help Skeet team momma JoAnne O’Bryant, who slipped into the water.
Cliff Pirch (left) and Terry Scroggins help Skeet team momma JoAnne O’Bryant, who slipped into the water.
The competitors begin to head out onto Lake Guntersville.
The competitors begin to head out onto Lake Guntersville.
Chris Lane was the 10th boat to leave the City Park harbor.
Chris Lane was the 10th boat to leave the City Park harbor.
Competitors wait their turn.
Competitors wait their turn.
Mark Dove waves as he takes off.
Mark Dove waves as he takes off.
Gerald Swindle moves into position.
Gerald Swindle moves into position.
Edwin Evers appears ready to get down to business.
Edwin Evers appears ready to get down to business.
Casey Ashley puts it in forward.
Casey Ashley puts it in forward.
David Walker moves along in the line.
David Walker moves along in the line.
The first boats clear the harbor and blast off.
The first boats clear the harbor and blast off.
Bobby Lane moves past the crowd.
Bobby Lane moves past the crowd.
The second flight anxiously waits.
The second flight anxiously waits.
Wake up son, it’s the Classic. No, Hank Cherry is just stretching his neck.
Wake up son, it’s the Classic. No, Hank Cherry is just stretching his neck.
Greg Vinson is awake and cooperative.
Greg Vinson is awake and cooperative.
Skeet Reese acknowledges the crowd as he’s announced.
Skeet Reese acknowledges the crowd as he’s announced.
<p>David Kilgore isn’t thumbing his nose at the chance of winning fishing's most prestigious title.</p>
David Kilgore isn’t thumbing his nose at the chance of winning fishing’s most prestigious title.
Kevin VanDam hopes to make all the right turns.
Kevin VanDam hopes to make all the right turns.
Takahiro Omori passes muster.
Takahiro Omori passes muster.
Bye-bye, Boom Boom.
Bye-bye, Boom Boom.
Dean Rojas says
Dean Rojas says “see you later.”
A young fan flies KVD’s colors.
A young fan flies KVD’s colors.
Chris Zaldain takes off.
Chris Zaldain takes off.
Stephen Browning is forward looking.
Stephen Browning is forward looking.