College: Take off Day 1

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When you see fobs with numbers well into the 200s written on them, Bassmaster fans know you’re in for a lengthy launch. That was the case on Thursday morning when Day 1 of the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Eastern Tour presented by Bass Pro Shops began on Cherokee Lake. In all, 262 teams are competing in this event; the third of four regular-season stops on the college tour. The teams are composed of anglers from 31 different states and 125 different colleges and universities.
When you see fobs with numbers well into the 200s written on them, Bassmaster fans know you’re in for a lengthy launch. That was the case on Thursday morning when Day 1 of the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Eastern Tour presented by Bass Pro Shops began on Cherokee Lake. In all, 262 teams are competing in this event; the third of four regular-season stops on the college tour. The teams are composed of anglers from 31 different states and 125 different colleges and universities.
The group has to start somewhere and so it does. Here are the guys from Boat 1 – Isaac Hillard and Cory Hensley from the University of Tennessee.
The group has to start somewhere and so it does. Here are the guys from Boat 1 – Isaac Hillard and Cory Hensley from the University of Tennessee.
Andrew Mega of the University of North Carolina-Charlotte is on Boat 2.
Andrew Mega of the University of North Carolina-Charlotte is on Boat 2.
Before the day could get started officially, participants, fans and B.A.S.S. staff pause to honor our country with the playing of the Star Spangled Banner.
Before the day could get started officially, participants, fans and B.A.S.S. staff pause to honor our country with the playing of the Star Spangled Banner.
There’s Colton Lindsey on Boat 3.
There’s Colton Lindsey on Boat 3.
Blake Miles and Cooper Casillas on Boat 4.
Blake Miles and Cooper Casillas on Boat 4.
Anglers will roll through the check-in for more than an hour on Thursday morning.
Anglers will roll through the check-in for more than an hour on Thursday morning.
No one seemed upset about the wait, however. This angler, in particular, looks very cool heading out onto Cherokee Lake.
No one seemed upset about the wait, however. This angler, in particular, looks very cool heading out onto Cherokee Lake.
An angler watches the fob pitched perfectly into his hands.
An angler watches the fob pitched perfectly into his hands.
The University of Tennessee is well represented at this college event. Knoxville is only about 30 miles from Jefferson City and the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Dam Ramp where the launch and weigh-in take place Thursday.
The University of Tennessee is well represented at this college event. Knoxville is only about 30 miles from Jefferson City and the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Dam Ramp where the launch and weigh-in take place Thursday.
And the anglers keep coming.
And the anglers keep coming.
And coming.
And coming.
And then a rain shower passed directly over the launch. It never rained hard, but the precipitation was steady for about 15 minutes Thursday morning. More of the wet stuff is expected this afternoon, with steady winds of 14 mph accompanying the foul weather.
And then a rain shower passed directly over the launch. It never rained hard, but the precipitation was steady for about 15 minutes Thursday morning. More of the wet stuff is expected this afternoon, with steady winds of 14 mph accompanying the foul weather.
And for a while, it was a slate gray morning as boats idled out of the harbor and onto Cherokee.
And for a while, it was a slate gray morning as boats idled out of the harbor and onto Cherokee.
Boats slipped past a police boat that guarded the harbor.
Boats slipped past a police boat that guarded the harbor.
And the rain continued. Here tournament director Hank Weldon, center takes shelter with a pair of college coaches.
And the rain continued. Here tournament director Hank Weldon, center takes shelter with a pair of college coaches.
The raindrops persisted, but it surely wasn’t enough to threaten the launch.
The raindrops persisted, but it surely wasn’t enough to threaten the launch.
Anglers slipped into rain gear and pulled hoodies over their heads.
Anglers slipped into rain gear and pulled hoodies over their heads.
Others skipped the rain suits altogether.
Others skipped the rain suits altogether.
And as soon as the rain started, it stopped. These anglers were happy to see they wouldn’t be making a run in the rain to their honey hole.
And as soon as the rain started, it stopped. These anglers were happy to see they wouldn’t be making a run in the rain to their honey hole.
Day 1 of any bass tournament is always exciting. The field is fresh and everyone is equal on the leaderboard.
Day 1 of any bass tournament is always exciting. The field is fresh and everyone is equal on the leaderboard.
Every one of the teams fishing here in the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Eastern Tour presented by Bass Pro Shops has an equal shot at winning.
Every one of the teams fishing here in the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Eastern Tour presented by Bass Pro Shops has an equal shot at winning.
It’s what the sport is all about – fair play, friendly competition and fun.
It’s what the sport is all about – fair play, friendly competition and fun.
Fans braved the less than ideal conditions on Thursday to see the launch.
Fans braved the less than ideal conditions on Thursday to see the launch.
The winning team after three days of competition will win $2,500 for their school fishing program.
The winning team after three days of competition will win $2,500 for their school fishing program.
The Carhartt Big Bass Award (a $500 gift certificate) will go to the duo that catches the biggest single bass over the course of the three-day tournament. The Bass Pro/Nitro Big Bag of the Tournament Award ($250 certificate) will go to the team that has the heaviest one-day total weight of the tournament.
The Carhartt Big Bass Award (a $500 gift certificate) will go to the duo that catches the biggest single bass over the course of the three-day tournament. The Bass Pro/Nitro Big Bag of the Tournament Award ($250 certificate) will go to the team that has the heaviest one-day total weight of the tournament.
Thursday’s launch begin at 2:30 p.m. EST back at the TVA Dam Ramp.
Thursday’s launch begin at 2:30 p.m. EST back at the TVA Dam Ramp.
Be sure you catch all the action right here on Bassmaster.com where we’ll have live streaming video of the weigh-in, results, photographs, stories and much more about this and every other B.A.S.S. tournament you could want!
Be sure you catch all the action right here on Bassmaster.com where we’ll have live streaming video of the weigh-in, results, photographs, stories and much more about this and every other B.A.S.S. tournament you could want!