Day 1 begins at BASSfest

Opens and Elite anglers begin the first day on Chickamauga Lake.

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Cliff Pirch brought the ice to Day 1 on Chickamauga Lake for Bassmaster BASSfest.
Cliff Pirch brought the ice to Day 1 on Chickamauga Lake for Bassmaster BASSfest.
Boats line the takeoff spot.
Boats line the takeoff spot.
Kendall Newson is ready to test his skills against the best.
Kendall Newson is ready to test his skills against the best.
Greg Vinson's boat going in. A very smooth launch this morning despite having more boats than ever for a major B.A.S.S. event.
Greg Vinson’s boat going in. A very smooth launch this morning despite having more boats than ever for a major B.A.S.S. event.
Shaw Grigsby’s looking to finesse up bass on the Chick today.
Shaw Grigsby’s looking to finesse up bass on the Chick today.
Mike McClelland shares a laugh with Bobby Lane before launch.
Mike McClelland shares a laugh with Bobby Lane before launch.
McClelland’s deck features his go-to bait, a football jig. Swimbaits will be popular all week, and he is prepared accordingly.
McClelland’s deck features his go-to bait, a football jig. Swimbaits will be popular all week, and he is prepared accordingly.
On the other side of McClelland’s deck is another jig and a Spro Little John DD deep-diving crankbait to get in touch with those ledge-bound bass.
On the other side of McClelland’s deck is another jig and a Spro Little John DD deep-diving crankbait to get in touch with those ledge-bound bass.
Bobby Lane’s deck has a smattering of crankbaits and swimbaits on Abu Garcia rods and reels, mostly Revos and Veritas sticks.
Bobby Lane’s deck has a smattering of crankbaits and swimbaits on Abu Garcia rods and reels, mostly Revos and Veritas sticks.
Lane readies the gear in his Phoenix.
Lane readies the gear in his Phoenix.
Guess what time Keith Combs is checking in today?
Guess what time Keith Combs is checking in today?
The Strike King 6XD is a go-to for many pros this week.
The Strike King 6XD is a go-to for many pros this week.
On top of David Mullins’ Triton TRX is a mishmash of jigs, topwaters and crankbaits.
On top of David Mullins’ Triton TRX is a mishmash of jigs, topwaters and crankbaits.
Guess who’s hiding behind this Strike King 6XD?
Guess who’s hiding behind this Strike King 6XD?
Steve Sennikoff’s crew was on hand this morning.
Steve Sennikoff’s crew was on hand this morning.
B.A.S.S. staffer Chuck Harbin holds the launch list as anglers idle by.
B.A.S.S. staffer Chuck Harbin holds the launch list as anglers idle by.
Greg checks to see if it's clear behind him.
Greg checks to see if it’s clear behind him.
Matt Lee is ready to go.
Matt Lee is ready to go.
Dean Rojas...
Dean Rojas…
Morizo Shimizu...
Morizo Shimizu…
Kelley Jaye uses his LEDs to work on tackle.
Kelley Jaye uses his LEDs to work on tackle.
Takahiro Omori...
Takahiro Omori…
B.A.S.S. staff create order in the chaos of over 130 boats.
B.A.S.S. staff create order in the chaos of over 130 boats.
Local television is on hand to cover the event.
Local television is on hand to cover the event.
KVD always willing to take the time to meet his fans.
KVD always willing to take the time to meet his fans.
Everyone pauses for the national anthem.
Everyone pauses for the national anthem.
Cliff Crochet...
Cliff Crochet…
Shaye Baker and Steve Bowman raise a GoPro high in the air and snap pictures. You'll see them on bassmaster.com soon.
Shaye Baker and Steve Bowman raise a GoPro high in the air and snap pictures. You’ll see them on bassmaster.com soon.
Joe Sancho...
Joe Sancho…
Terry
Terry “Big Show” Scroggins…
Jared Lintner...
Jared Lintner…
Jonathon VanDam...
Jonathon VanDam…
Scott Rook..
Scott Rook..
Tommy Biffle...
Tommy Biffle…
Max Leatherwood gets a little help staying out of the rain.
Max Leatherwood gets a little help staying out of the rain.
He's invisible in this photo, but somewhere in the camouflage is B.A.S.S. writer Steve Wright.
He’s invisible in this photo, but somewhere in the camouflage is B.A.S.S. writer Steve Wright.
If B.A.S.S. comes to your town, bring an umbrella. You'll probably need it at some point.
If B.A.S.S. comes to your town, bring an umbrella. You’ll probably need it at some point.
Dave Mercer does not require one, of course.
Dave Mercer does not require one, of course.
David Walker...
David Walker…
Greg Hackney hiding in the weeds...
Greg Hackney hiding in the weeds…
It's time to take off.
It’s time to take off.
KVD is ready.
KVD is ready.
<p>Some people still use flip phones.</p>
Some people still use flip phones.
Mark Davis...
Mark Davis…
Randall Tharp...
Randall Tharp…
Alton Jones...
Alton Jones…
Yusuke Miyazaki
Yusuke Miyazaki
Expensive camera equipment means rain gear is a necessity.
Expensive camera equipment means rain gear is a necessity.
Need a ride? This guy will hook you up.
Need a ride? This guy will hook you up.
Seigo Saito always has a camera at the ready.
Seigo Saito always has a camera at the ready.
Dean Rojas...
Dean Rojas…
Steve Kennedy...
Steve Kennedy…
Keith Combs...
Keith Combs…
Lining up to launch on Chickamauga...
Lining up to launch on Chickamauga…
Greg Hackney...
Greg Hackney…
Gerald Swindle...
Gerald Swindle…
Fans watch as Day 1 begins.
Fans watch as Day 1 begins.
Will this happen again today on the Chick?
Will this happen again today on the Chick?