College teams take on Lake O

Carhartt Bassmaster College Series anglers faced chilly conditions on massive Lake Okeechobee.

Friends, family and anglers head out early for the Day One take-off of the Carhartt College Southern B.A.S.S. Regional.
Friends, family and anglers head out early for the Day One take-off of the Carhartt College Southern B.A.S.S. Regional.
Daylight breaks on Lake Okeechobee.
Daylight breaks on Lake Okeechobee.
The Shimano Live Release boat is hoping to haul lots of big fish back to Lake Okeechobee this afternoon.
The Shimano Live Release boat is hoping to haul lots of big fish back to Lake Okeechobee this afternoon.
130 boats wait anxiously.
130 boats wait anxiously.
Everyone is “Down To Fish.”
Everyone is “Down To Fish.”
A beautiful but chilly morning.
A beautiful but chilly morning.
Clemson rolls out.
Clemson rolls out.
The Tundra looks mighty warm and cozy right now as we endure temps in the 40s. Not bad compared to the rest of the country but not what south Florida is known for.
The Tundra looks mighty warm and cozy right now as we endure temps in the 40s. Not bad compared to the rest of the country but not what south Florida is known for.
Rough waters greet the anglers on Day One.
Rough waters greet the anglers on Day One.
Getting crowded.
Getting crowded.
Kyle Monti and Mike Gontko start Day Two in foul weather gear.
Kyle Monti and Mike Gontko start Day Two in foul weather gear.
2013 Southern Regional runner-ups from Daytona State are nearby.
2013 Southern Regional runner-ups from Daytona State are nearby.
Monti and Gontko are under the watchful eye of cameraman Wes Miller.
Monti and Gontko are under the watchful eye of cameraman Wes Miller.
One of the braver airboats passes by wrangling the rough water.
One of the braver airboats passes by wrangling the rough water.
If you’re looking for boats, we found them.
If you’re looking for boats, we found them.
Back to Monti and Gontko who have a few small keepers to start the morning.
Back to Monti and Gontko who have a few small keepers to start the morning.
Other anglers are in the area but it’s hard to tell who’s who with the winter gear on.
Other anglers are in the area but it’s hard to tell who’s who with the winter gear on.
Another boat works a nearby reed line.
Another boat works a nearby reed line.
Gontko puts a small keeper in the well.
Gontko puts a small keeper in the well.
Worms are a popular presentation this morning.
Worms are a popular presentation this morning.
Joseph Marty and Justin Atkins of Mississippi State flip along looking for a big bite.
Joseph Marty and Justin Atkins of Mississippi State flip along looking for a big bite.
Atkins gets what he’s looking for.
Atkins gets what he’s looking for.
The battle rages…
The battle rages…
Atkins brings the fish’s head up…
Atkins brings the fish’s head up…
The fish fights not to lose ground…
The fish fights not to lose ground…
And then… Atkins realizes he’s hooked into a bowfin.
And then… Atkins realizes he’s hooked into a bowfin.
The toothy critter pops off the hook.
The toothy critter pops off the hook.
A duck hunter stays off the big water, a good idea today.
A duck hunter stays off the big water, a good idea today.
AUM works a reed line but without any luck.
AUM works a reed line but without any luck.