Day 1 begins at Nation Championship

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It’s 5:45 a.m. and takeoff is one hour away for Day 1 of the Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation Championship presented by Magellan Outdoors.
It’s 5:45 a.m. and takeoff is one hour away for Day 1 of the Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation Championship presented by Magellan Outdoors.
Mitch Cone of Australia is the national champion from his homeland. Fishing with him is non-boater Daniel Elsner of Wisconsin.
Mitch Cone of Australia is the national champion from his homeland. Fishing with him is non-boater Daniel Elsner of Wisconsin.
The service yard at Lakeview Marina is a busy place. B.A.S.S. officials and volunteers from the Texas B.A.S.S. Nation are on hand to hook up and launch all 55 boats.
The service yard at Lakeview Marina is a busy place. B.A.S.S. officials and volunteers from the Texas B.A.S.S. Nation are on hand to hook up and launch all 55 boats.
The volunteers park the trailers, one by one, as each boat is launched nearby at the ramp.
The volunteers park the trailers, one by one, as each boat is launched nearby at the ramp.
Edgar Romero is ready to go for his first day of competition. Romero is the national champion from Mexico. Fishing with him is non-boater John Bernard of Pennsylvania.
Edgar Romero is ready to go for his first day of competition. Romero is the national champion from Mexico. Fishing with him is non-boater John Bernard of Pennsylvania.
The camaraderie is great at the championship as state champions from each region are on hand for the competition.
The camaraderie is great at the championship as state champions from each region are on hand for the competition.
By 6:15 a.m. all of the boats are in the water, trailers parked and anglers making final preparations for the day on Lake Conroe.
By 6:15 a.m. all of the boats are in the water, trailers parked and anglers making final preparations for the day on Lake Conroe.
This will be just about the only area on Lake Conroe that will not see a lure.
This will be just about the only area on Lake Conroe that will not see a lure.
The boats fill the basin at the marina located near Lake Conroe Dam.
The boats fill the basin at the marina located near Lake Conroe Dam.
The pavilion at Lakeview Marina comes alive with activity long before sunrise.
The pavilion at Lakeview Marina comes alive with activity long before sunrise.
Lakeview Marina is the launch, takeoff and weigh-in site for the week.
Lakeview Marina is the launch, takeoff and weigh-in site for the week.
Rob Digh of North Carolina does some last minute rod prep before heading out for Day 1.
Rob Digh of North Carolina does some last minute rod prep before heading out for Day 1.
This is a special boat for Utah state champion Bill Brown. The boat belonged to his deceased best friend, Kurt Walters. He was Brown’s fishing partner and the decal is pasted to the windshield in his memory.
This is a special boat for Utah state champion Bill Brown. The boat belonged to his deceased best friend, Kurt Walters. He was Brown’s fishing partner and the decal is pasted to the windshield in his memory.
Greg Vance of Iowa makes sure his measuring board meets the same exact measurements as the official version used by B.A.S.S.
Greg Vance of Iowa makes sure his measuring board meets the same exact measurements as the official version used by B.A.S.S.
The measuring boards will get lots of use. The minimum size limit for a keeper bass is 16 inches.
The measuring boards will get lots of use. The minimum size limit for a keeper bass is 16 inches.
This rock has special meaning to the entire B.A.S.S. Nation. College angler Dylan Poche of Louisiana died tragically earlier this year. This rock will be tossed into the lake in his memory.
This rock has special meaning to the entire B.A.S.S. Nation. College angler Dylan Poche of Louisiana died tragically earlier this year. This rock will be tossed into the lake in his memory.
Beside the special rock are the tools of the trade for Nation Director Jon Stewart, who soon will call out the boats for takeoff.
Beside the special rock are the tools of the trade for Nation Director Jon Stewart, who soon will call out the boats for takeoff.
A fog settles in as takeoff time nears at 6:45 a.m.
A fog settles in as takeoff time nears at 6:45 a.m.
Nine countries are represented, including Japan.
Nine countries are represented, including Japan.
Max Leatherwood, Stewart, Hank Weldon and Emily Hand all prepare for the takeoff.
Max Leatherwood, Stewart, Hank Weldon and Emily Hand all prepare for the takeoff.
The fog begins to blow away thanks to a slight breeze.
The fog begins to blow away thanks to a slight breeze.
The forecast calls for sunny skies and a high temperature of 81 degrees, perfect
The forecast calls for sunny skies and a high temperature of 81 degrees, perfect
Greg Vance has been here before. He’s the state champion from Iowa who last year qualified through the Nation Championship for the 2016 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro.
Greg Vance has been here before. He’s the state champion from Iowa who last year qualified through the Nation Championship for the 2016 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro.
Stewart prepares to toss the rock in memory of Poche. It’s a family tradition the youth and his friends started to call attention to teen violence.
Stewart prepares to toss the rock in memory of Poche. It’s a family tradition the youth and his friends started to call attention to teen violence.
The rock sinks to the bottom of Lake Conroe and the day is about to begin.
The rock sinks to the bottom of Lake Conroe and the day is about to begin.
Just moments away from takeoff at Lakeview Marina.
Just moments away from takeoff at Lakeview Marina.
Yuya Wakebe is the non-boater champion from Japan. He is fishing with Scott Green, the boater champion from Vermont.
Yuya Wakebe is the non-boater champion from Japan. He is fishing with Scott Green, the boater champion from Vermont.
Paying honor to the flag he served in the military is Kurt Glass, the Paralyzed Veterans of America Angler of the Year.
Paying honor to the flag he served in the military is Kurt Glass, the Paralyzed Veterans of America Angler of the Year.
One minute after takeoff time and the day is underway.
One minute after takeoff time and the day is underway.