Classic registration

The 2015 Bassmaster Classic field checks in and gears up for competition while tournament officials show Kevin VanDam the door.

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<p>A big sign welcomes the anglers in the 2015 Bassmaster Classic to the Hyatt Regency for the kick-off of the event.</p>
A big sign welcomes the anglers in the 2015 Bassmaster Classic to the Hyatt Regency for the kick-off of the event.
<p>As anglers showed up you could never be surprised at anything, including Aaron Martens' shoes selected for this event.</p>
As anglers showed up you could never be surprised at anything, including Aaron Martens’ shoes selected for this event.
<p>Martens is expected to figure heavily in this Classic, as always.</p>
Martens is expected to figure heavily in this Classic, as always.
<p>Trucks parked in front of the hotel showed the signs of winter storm Octavia.</p>
Trucks parked in front of the hotel showed the signs of winter storm Octavia.
<p>The roads and entranceways were icy as well.</p>
The roads and entranceways were icy as well.
<p>Inside the hotel it was all warmth, literally and figuratively, for the anglers.</p>
Inside the hotel it was all warmth, literally and figuratively, for the anglers.
<p>The anglers would gather outside the meeting rooms waiting for the registration to begin.</p>
The anglers would gather outside the meeting rooms waiting for the registration to begin.
<p>While they waited, they also sat down with the JM/Bassmaster production teams for interviews.</p>
While they waited, they also sat down with the JM/Bassmaster production teams for interviews.
<p>The line would grow as more and more anglers made their way to the hotel.</p>
The line would grow as more and more anglers made their way to the hotel.
<p>Defending champion Randy Howell was there, showing off his ring.</p>
Defending champion Randy Howell was there, showing off his ring.
<p>Those tired of standing took a seat on the carpet.</p>
Those tired of standing took a seat on the carpet.
<p>But when the doors opened, they were all on their feet.</p>
But when the doors opened, they were all on their feet.
<p>The anglers filed into the room.</p>
The anglers filed into the room.
<p>They went through the standard fishing license and membership verification.</p>
They went through the standard fishing license and membership verification.
<p>Then moved onto picking up gifts from sponsors.</p>
Then moved onto picking up gifts from sponsors.
<p>Randall Tharp gets a handful of stickers for his rig.</p>
Randall Tharp gets a handful of stickers for his rig.
<p>The process went fairly quickly.</p>
The process went fairly quickly.
<p>With Trip Weldon checking every angler as they came through the door.</p>
With Trip Weldon checking every angler as they came through the door.
<p>A couple of bags from Yamaha had Dean Rojas all smiles.</p>
A couple of bags from Yamaha had Dean Rojas all smiles.
<p>And the Mercury pros all had a line up of things to pick up.</p>
And the Mercury pros all had a line up of things to pick up.
<p>Tournament favorite Casey Ashley stops by the Triton booth.</p>
Tournament favorite Casey Ashley stops by the Triton booth.
<p>Watching all the standard fare was Kevin VanDam, who is missing his first Classic in more than two decades.</p>
Watching all the standard fare was Kevin VanDam, who is missing his first Classic in more than two decades.
<p>VanDam was videoing some short pieces that will be used at the Saturday weigh-in.</p>
VanDam was videoing some short pieces that will be used at the Saturday weigh-in.
<p>Mercury hats are stacked.</p>
Mercury hats are stacked.
<p>As part of one of the videos, VanDam gets escorted out of the room by Bassmaster tournament directors.</p>
As part of one of the videos, VanDam gets escorted out of the room by Bassmaster tournament directors.
<p>They eventually picked him up and carried him out, telling him not to return. The skit was all in good fun.</p>
They eventually picked him up and carried him out, telling him not to return. The skit was all in good fun.
<p>David Walker shows off one of his gift bags. Walker has already made headlines in the 2015 Bassmaster Classic, rescuing a hypothermic boater from the waters of Lake Hartwell after his boat capsized during Sunday's practice. Read more about Walker's rescue <a href=
David Walker shows off one of his gift bags. Walker has already made headlines in the 2015 Bassmaster Classic, rescuing a hypothermic boater from the waters of Lake Hartwell after his boat capsized during Sunday’s practice. Read more about Walker’s rescue here.
<p>And back in the room, VanDam shares some information with Trip Weldon from his smartphone.</p>
And back in the room, VanDam shares some information with Trip Weldon from his smartphone.
<p>With registration over, Yamaha begins tearing down their display.</p>
With registration over, Yamaha begins tearing down their display.
On Sunday, one of the anglers in this room will become the 2015 Bassmaster Classic champion.
On Sunday, one of the anglers in this room will become the 2015 Bassmaster Classic champion.
No they’re not updating their Facebook statuses. Randy Howell and Jacob Wheeler were taking a look at tomorrow’s weather forecast.
No they’re not updating their Facebook statuses. Randy Howell and Jacob Wheeler were taking a look at tomorrow’s weather forecast.
It’s about to get serious.
It’s about to get serious.
B.A.S.S. Tournament Director Trip Weldon conducted the Classic briefing.
B.A.S.S. Tournament Director Trip Weldon conducted the Classic briefing.
Anglers referred to their rule sheets as the meeting moved along.
Anglers referred to their rule sheets as the meeting moved along.