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.

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.

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A lot of anglers wear helmets in an attempt to avoid hypothermia.

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

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Another cool helmet.

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

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Who needs to see when it's this cold?

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

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Seems like Spiderman fought these guys in one of his movies.

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

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Very stylish.

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

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Good for hunting or fishing.

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

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Good for hunting, fishing or Halloween.

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

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Is that the Joker or just another creepy clown?

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

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What can you say?

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

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An angler whose eyes are a little fogged up.

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

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Two more skull helmets.

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

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A cold takeoff on Lake Martin

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