A cold takeoff on Lake Martin

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More than 200 boats carrying more than 400 anglers left Wind Creek State Park for the Costa Bassmaster High School Southern Open on Lake Martin.

Photo: Bryan Brasher/B.A.S.S.

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Matthew Kennedy and Logan Tidmore of the Arab (Ala.) Knight Fishing Team sit bundled up in the cold as they wait for the takeoff.

Photo: Bryan Brasher/B.A.S.S.

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Grant Gray of Tuscaloosa, Ala., is barely visible through all of his cold-weather gear in the 22-degree weather.

Photo: Bryan Brasher/B.A.S.S.

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The harbor at Wind Creek State Park is lit up like a Christmas parade as as boats sat with running lights on, waiting for the 6:15 a.m. takeoff.

Photo: Bryan Brasher/B.A.S.S.

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The word "finally" could be heard throughout the crowd when it was announced that it was time to start moving into line.

Photo: Bryan Brasher/B.A.S.S.

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With more than 200 boats, the harbor is crowded.

Photo: Bryan Brasher/B.A.S.S.

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Another view of the crowded harbor.

Photo: Bryan Brasher/B.A.S.S.

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The safety boat moves into position at about 6:05 a.m. with frost still on its sides.

Photo: Bryan Brasher/B.A.S.S.

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Boat No. 1 with Alabama anglers Hunter Porter and Cade Crocker is the first to leave the harbor.

Photo: Bryan Brasher/B.A.S.S.

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Boats file out one by one.

Photo: Bryan Brasher/B.A.S.S.

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They leave steadily, idling to the safety boat and then speeding to their first fishing spot.

Photo: Bryan Brasher/B.A.S.S.

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A trio of boats waits to leave the harbor.

Photo: Bryan Brasher/B.A.S.S.

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The latter flights get a great view of the sunrise on Lake Martin.

Photo: Bryan Brasher/B.A.S.S.

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The Top 10 percent of the standings from today's weigh-in will qualify for the national championship.

Photo: Bryan Brasher/B.A.S.S.

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The championship, which also be sponsored by Costa, will be held later this year at a site to be determined.

Photo: Bryan Brasher/B.A.S.S.

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Today's payout will be determined by the number of anglers in the field.

Photo: Bryan Brasher/B.A.S.S.

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A field of 220 boats was expected, but a few dropped out due to unforeseen circumstances.

Photo: Bryan Brasher/B.A.S.S.

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The sun peaking up over the tree line is welcome sight for everyone shivering in the pre-dawn cold.

Photo: Bryan Brasher/B.A.S.S.

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Tournament director Hank Weldon calls boats one at a time.

Photo: Bryan Brasher/B.A.S.S.

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Boats from one of the final flights waits patiently to hear their numbers called. They started later, but will also weigh-in a little later than the earlier flights.

Photo: Bryan Brasher/B.A.S.S.

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The final flight left the harbor in full daylight.

Photo: Bryan Brasher/B.A.S.S.

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Off they go.

Photo: Bryan Brasher/B.A.S.S.

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The waters of Lake Martin are crowded now.

Photo: Bryan Brasher/B.A.S.S.

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One of the final boats in the field prepares to make a right turn out of the harbor.

Photo: Bryan Brasher/B.A.S.S.

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With morning temperatures in the 20s, the event is part fishing tournament, part costume party. Weldon described this get-up as "the best beard of the tournament."

Photo: Bryan Brasher/B.A.S.S.