Day 1 Wild Card takeoff at Lay Lake

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Day 1 of the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Wild Card presented by Bass Pro Shops at Lay Lake got underway as 127 boats left Beeswax Landing in search of 5 keeper bass.
Day 1 of the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Wild Card presented by Bass Pro Shops at Lay Lake got underway as 127 boats left Beeswax Landing in search of 5 keeper bass.
Teams from all over the country attend the Wild Card as it is the last chance to qualify for the 2017 National Championship.
Teams from all over the country attend the Wild Card as it is the last chance to qualify for the 2017 National Championship.
Takeoff started early at 5:30 a.m. CT and boats gathered in preparation.
Takeoff started early at 5:30 a.m. CT and boats gathered in preparation.
Thomas Oltorik and John Byrd of Stetson University launch.
Thomas Oltorik and John Byrd of Stetson University launch.
Greenville College does so as well.
Greenville College does so as well.
Teams that participated in one of the 5 regionals and didn't qualify were able to fish this last chance regional in hopes of punching their ticket.
Teams that participated in one of the 5 regionals and didn’t qualify were able to fish this last chance regional in hopes of punching their ticket.
Johnny Ledet (right) and Ty Cox (left) hang out on the dock.
Johnny Ledet (right) and Ty Cox (left) hang out on the dock.
Don't forget your net! Teams are able to use a net during regional and championship competition, but not in the bracket.
Don’t forget your net! Teams are able to use a net during regional and championship competition, but not in the bracket.
The National Anthem is sung and that signifies takeoff is close.
The National Anthem is sung and that signifies takeoff is close.
Teams stand at attention for the playing of the anthem.
Teams stand at attention for the playing of the anthem.
We are ready to go and get the Lay Lake Wild Card underway.
We are ready to go and get the Lay Lake Wild Card underway.
Teams pull up their trolling motor and put their life jackets on.
Teams pull up their trolling motor and put their life jackets on.
Boat #1 leads the field out. Takeoff started at 5:30 a.m. CT and first check-in will be at 1:30 p.m. CT.
Boat #1 leads the field out. Takeoff started at 5:30 a.m. CT and first check-in will be at 1:30 p.m. CT.
JP Kimbrough and Jared Rascoe look to make it back to the Championship where they finished 5th in 2016.
JP Kimbrough and Jared Rascoe look to make it back to the Championship where they finished 5th in 2016.
Josh Oliver and Dalton Childers of Auburn roll through.
Josh Oliver and Dalton Childers of Auburn roll through.
Chris Carnes and Tyler Lawwill of UNC Charlotte hope to get off to a fast start here.
Chris Carnes and Tyler Lawwill of UNC Charlotte hope to get off to a fast start here.
Josh Bensema, half of the 2015 National Championship team, rolls through with partner Bradley Fleming.
Josh Bensema, half of the 2015 National Championship team, rolls through with partner Bradley Fleming.
Who said bass boats can't be colorful?
Who said bass boats can’t be colorful?
Austin Handley and Caleb Wozniak of Auburn hope to make it back to the Championship and get in the Top 4 like in 2016.
Austin Handley and Caleb Wozniak of Auburn hope to make it back to the Championship and get in the Top 4 like in 2016.
Justin Cooper and Johnny Ledet of Northwestern State University are the only college team to win 2 different regionals, they are hoping to make it 3 before their college careers are over.
Justin Cooper and Johnny Ledet of Northwestern State University are the only college team to win 2 different regionals, they are hoping to make it 3 before their college careers are over.
Anglers were greeted with a beautiful sunrise this morning.
Anglers were greeted with a beautiful sunrise this morning.
Bemidji State hopes to qualify since the National Championship is on their home lake.
Bemidji State hopes to qualify since the National Championship is on their home lake.
Lights, kill switch and live wells get checked as they pass through.
Lights, kill switch and live wells get checked as they pass through.
With roughly 6 inches of rain this week, Lay Lake's water clarity is non existent.
With roughly 6 inches of rain this week, Lay Lake’s water clarity is non existent.
Ty Cox and Jake Houston of Itawamba CC come through the line. They qualified from the Wildcard last year as well.
Ty Cox and Jake Houston of Itawamba CC come through the line. They qualified from the Wildcard last year as well.