Day 1: College anglers on Lake Martin

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A cold morning greets the 214-boat field for Day 1 launch of the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Southern Regional on Lake Martin.
A cold morning greets the 214-boat field for Day 1 launch of the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Southern Regional on Lake Martin.
Don’t think this is a rule anybody has a problem with right now.
Don’t think this is a rule anybody has a problem with right now.
This on the other hand… Good thing it only applies to the marina because these anglers are ready to go despite the near freezing temps.
This on the other hand… Good thing it only applies to the marina because these anglers are ready to go despite the near freezing temps.
The water on Lake Martin is down for winter pool. Heavy rains have raised the level of the lake a few times this winter, once nearly 10-feet in a matter of just a few days.
The water on Lake Martin is down for winter pool. Heavy rains have raised the level of the lake a few times this winter, once nearly 10-feet in a matter of just a few days.
The anthem plays as the B.A.S.S. staff and collegiate anglers pay their respects.
The anthem plays as the B.A.S.S. staff and collegiate anglers pay their respects.
Someone lost a bet or forgot to pack their cold weather gear.
Someone lost a bet or forgot to pack their cold weather gear.
The anthem continues to ring out across the takeoff area.
The anthem continues to ring out across the takeoff area.
Game time.
Game time.
The last few reminders over the loudspeaker...
The last few reminders over the loudspeaker…
...and now it's time to fall in line.
…and now it’s time to fall in line.
The huge field of college anglers gets into position.
The huge field of college anglers gets into position.
Tournament Director Hank Weldon calls out the boat numbers.
Tournament Director Hank Weldon calls out the boat numbers.
Most anglers are so bundled up, it's hard to tell who they are.
Most anglers are so bundled up, it’s hard to tell who they are.
Overnight the temps dropped into the 30s. With a high only expected to reach 50 degrees and nightly lows through the event down into the 20s, it looks like this is only the beginning of the bundling up.
Overnight the temps dropped into the 30s. With a high only expected to reach 50 degrees and nightly lows through the event down into the 20s, it looks like this is only the beginning of the bundling up.
Bethel University finds their place in line.
Bethel University finds their place in line.
This pup is ready to go!
This pup is ready to go!
This one seems to be saying
This one seems to be saying “I’m good with staying on the dock today”.
A photographer works hard to get that shot.
A photographer works hard to get that shot.
A beautiful sunrise beckons to the anglers as they head out on Lake Martin.
A beautiful sunrise beckons to the anglers as they head out on Lake Martin.
Time to trim her up and let her eat.
Time to trim her up and let her eat.
Things are heating up right off the bat for Alabama's Sinclair and Gibson.
Things are heating up right off the bat for Alabama’s Sinclair and Gibson.
A few casts...
A few casts…
...and Sinclair hooks up for the camera.
…and Sinclair hooks up for the camera.
This one has some growing left to do.
This one has some growing left to do.
But Sinclair does have a nice keeper from earlier to show off.
But Sinclair does have a nice keeper from earlier to show off.
Alabama is unofficially first on the board.
Alabama is unofficially first on the board.
Back at it.
Back at it.
As Gibson...
As Gibson…
...and Sinclair talk about their next move...
…and Sinclair talk about their next move…
… we head off to find someone else. There’s plenty of cover in Lake Martin right now.
… we head off to find someone else. There’s plenty of cover in Lake Martin right now.
There seems to be a boat around every turn.
There seems to be a boat around every turn.
Even so, this 44,000-acre lake has plenty of room to host the 214 boat field this week.
Even so, this 44,000-acre lake has plenty of room to host the 214 boat field this week.
Gaston works the shallows with a crankbait.
Gaston works the shallows with a crankbait.
While his partner Barber follows up with a slower presentation.
While his partner Barber follows up with a slower presentation.
Rocky points and islands pop up all over Lake Martin. Most hold fish...
Rocky points and islands pop up all over Lake Martin. Most hold fish…
...but finding the right quality can be difficult.
…but finding the right quality can be difficult.
Sometimes it's just a matter of making enough casts.
Sometimes it’s just a matter of making enough casts.
The water on Martin is about 6 feet below pool.
The water on Martin is about 6 feet below pool.
Bridges all over Martin can offer a constant for fish not wanting to ride the fluctuating water levels.
Bridges all over Martin can offer a constant for fish not wanting to ride the fluctuating water levels.
Finesse tactics are a must on Martin from time to time.
Finesse tactics are a must on Martin from time to time.
Some banks on Martin are steep...
Some banks on Martin are steep…
...some less so, but littered with cover.
…some less so, but littered with cover.
Others are shallow and barren.
Others are shallow and barren.