A cold takeoff on Lake Martin

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.

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

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

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.

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

With more than 200 boats, the harbor is crowded.

Another view of the crowded harbor.

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

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

Boats file out one by one.

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

A trio of boats waits to leave the harbor.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tournament director Hank Weldon calls boats one at a time.

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.

The final flight left the harbor in full daylight.

Off they go.

The waters of Lake Martin are crowded now.

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

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.”