College Classic Bracket: Day 1 launch

The top 8 collegiate anglers make their way onto Chatuge on the first morning of the 2014 Carhartt College Series Bassmaster Classic Bracket.

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The top 4 teams from the National Championship split up and head out onto Chatuge in a single elimination bracket format, all vying for a single spot in the 2015 Bassmaster Classic. Each of the 8 competitors' boats will be outfitted with a GoPro camera today to capture all the action.
The top 4 teams from the National Championship split up and head out onto Chatuge in a single elimination bracket format, all vying for a single spot in the 2015 Bassmaster Classic. Each of the 8 competitors’ boats will be outfitted with a GoPro camera today to capture all the action.
National Champion Andrew Helms goes digging in the Nitro.
National Champion Andrew Helms goes digging in the Nitro.
Hard to retie by the light of Facebook.
Hard to retie by the light of Facebook.
Matt Roberts puts the finishing touches on his rig for the day.
Matt Roberts puts the finishing touches on his rig for the day.
Need a light?
Need a light?
ULM breakdown where they plan to fish.
ULM breakdown where they plan to fish.
National Champion Jake Whitaker is ready to go.
National Champion Jake Whitaker is ready to go.
Family photo time for the Helms clan.
Family photo time for the Helms clan.
Matt Roberts make sure everything is the way he wants it on his graphs.
Matt Roberts make sure everything is the way he wants it on his graphs.
Tennessee Tech's Bentley Manning poses with the family.
Tennessee Tech’s Bentley Manning poses with the family.
Brett Preuett readies the deck.
Brett Preuett readies the deck.
Bethel hangs with their crew before blastoff.
Bethel hangs with their crew before blastoff.
Each of the final 8 competitors are outfitted with a fully rigged Nitro Z7 for the Classic Bracket competition.
Each of the final 8 competitors are outfitted with a fully rigged Nitro Z7 for the Classic Bracket competition.
National Champion Jake Whitaker pays his respects prior to take-off.
National Champion Jake Whitaker pays his respects prior to take-off.
Brett Preuett is all business.
Brett Preuett is all business.
The anthem plays.
The anthem plays.
Go time! National Champ Andrew Helms idles out.
Go time! National Champ Andrew Helms idles out.
Whitaker heads out knowing he's already won a National Championship this week.
Whitaker heads out knowing he’s already won a National Championship this week.
Brett Preuette makes his way out.
Brett Preuette makes his way out.
Friends and family cheer the anglers on as they leave the dock.
Friends and family cheer the anglers on as they leave the dock.
Jackson Blackett idles out.
Jackson Blackett idles out.
The top 8 make their way onto Chatuge.
The top 8 make their way onto Chatuge.