College: Day 1 begins

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Day 1 of the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Southern Regional presented by Bass Pro Shops on Winyah Bay started early Thursday morning as the rain poured down on the 77 teams.
Day 1 of the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Southern Regional presented by Bass Pro Shops on Winyah Bay started early Thursday morning as the rain poured down on the 77 teams.
The local host of Georgetown County had pennants of the local schools and universities strung above the launch ramp.
The local host of Georgetown County had pennants of the local schools and universities strung above the launch ramp.
The line of trucks and boats began to funnel through the dark towards the ramp.
The line of trucks and boats began to funnel through the dark towards the ramp.
This is the 3rd Bassmaster event at Winyah Bay in as many years. First was a BASS Nation event, then the Elite Series in 2016 and now the College Series.
This is the 3rd Bassmaster event at Winyah Bay in as many years. First was a BASS Nation event, then the Elite Series in 2016 and now the College Series.
Teams from across the southeast are in attendance including the Florida Gators.
Teams from across the southeast are in attendance including the Florida Gators.
Anglers balance as they hop from the dock into their boat.
Anglers balance as they hop from the dock into their boat.
Amidst the chaos, some anglers continued to arrange and work on tackle.
Amidst the chaos, some anglers continued to arrange and work on tackle.
Local favorite, John Duarte from Coastal Carolina, backs down the ramp with the glow of the power plant in the backdrop.
Local favorite, John Duarte from Coastal Carolina, backs down the ramp with the glow of the power plant in the backdrop.
Noah Pescitelli and Sean Hall of the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) launch down the ramp.
Noah Pescitelli and Sean Hall of the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) launch down the ramp.
Caiden Sinclair and Hunter Gibson of Alabama are happy to have a boat this week. Fredrick's Outdoors in Alabama helped get them outfitted this week.
Caiden Sinclair and Hunter Gibson of Alabama are happy to have a boat this week. Fredrick’s Outdoors in Alabama helped get them outfitted this week.
The National Anthem plays and it signifies we are a few minutes from blastoff.
The National Anthem plays and it signifies we are a few minutes from blastoff.
Thomas Oltorik used to fish for Daytona State, but is now in Graduate school at Stetson University.
Thomas Oltorik used to fish for Daytona State, but is now in Graduate school at Stetson University.
The teams stage out in front of the power plant as they wait for takeoff to start.
The teams stage out in front of the power plant as they wait for takeoff to start.
Clemson's pennant was represented on the opposite end from South Carolina's and for good reason. They have a national rivalry.
Clemson’s pennant was represented on the opposite end from South Carolina’s and for good reason. They have a national rivalry.
Takeoff was delayed just a few minutes due to the storm and low light conditions, but after a couple minutes it cleared up and the teams headed out.
Takeoff was delayed just a few minutes due to the storm and low light conditions, but after a couple minutes it cleared up and the teams headed out.
Austin Mize and Ethan Goodwin of North Alabama roll through. They are due in at 2:30 p.m. ET.
Austin Mize and Ethan Goodwin of North Alabama roll through. They are due in at 2:30 p.m. ET.
Emily Hand shoots a Facebook Live video on the College Bass page. If you haven't checked it out, you should.
Emily Hand shoots a Facebook Live video on the College Bass page. If you haven’t checked it out, you should.
Tyler Woolcott is fishing solo this week, but he heads out in hopes of qualifying for another National Championship this week.
Tyler Woolcott is fishing solo this week, but he heads out in hopes of qualifying for another National Championship this week.
The local hosts provided breakfast for the teams fishing this week. I may or may not have grabbed a biscuit as well. (I did and am not ashamed.)
The local hosts provided breakfast for the teams fishing this week. I may or may not have grabbed a biscuit as well. (I did and am not ashamed.)
Nathan Martin heads out behind the glow of his electronics.
Nathan Martin heads out behind the glow of his electronics.
There are 77 teams at Winyah Bay this week, which means roughly 13 teams should qualify for the National Championship after Saturday's day of competition.
There are 77 teams at Winyah Bay this week, which means roughly 13 teams should qualify for the National Championship after Saturday’s day of competition.
Boats head out with numerous fishable creeks at their disposal. The only difference between this year and the Elite Series event in 2016 is the Cooper River is off limits.
Boats head out with numerous fishable creeks at their disposal. The only difference between this year and the Elite Series event in 2016 is the Cooper River is off limits.