Day 3 Nation Championship launch

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At 6 a.m. the observers assemble before meeting the anglers for the final day of the Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation Championship presented by Magellan Outdoors.
At 6 a.m. the observers assemble before meeting the anglers for the final day of the Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation Championship presented by Magellan Outdoors.
Today the covers will remain on these boats, which belong to the anglers not making the championship round.
Today the covers will remain on these boats, which belong to the anglers not making the championship round.
Nonboater champion Mike Powell prepares his electronics for the day ahead.
Nonboater champion Mike Powell prepares his electronics for the day ahead.
Caleb Sumrall of Louisiana gives his boat a wipe down prior to the launch.
Caleb Sumrall of Louisiana gives his boat a wipe down prior to the launch.
James Van Rooyen of Namibia preps his tackle for the final day of fishing. He is one of two international finalists. The other angler is Dean Silvester of Australia.
James Van Rooyen of Namibia preps his tackle for the final day of fishing. He is one of two international finalists. The other angler is Dean Silvester of Australia.
Mike Lavallee of Utah gets ready for the final day on Lake Hartwell.
Mike Lavallee of Utah gets ready for the final day on Lake Hartwell.
Meanwhile, tackle prep of another kind is going on at boat #1. Ryan Lavigne, the reigning champion, unloads the Phoenix boat he used all season.
Meanwhile, tackle prep of another kind is going on at boat #1. Ryan Lavigne, the reigning champion, unloads the Phoenix boat he used all season.
Jon Stewart, Hank Weldon and Mike Wall grab coffee and breakfast prior to getting very busy for the takeoff activities.
Jon Stewart, Hank Weldon and Mike Wall grab coffee and breakfast prior to getting very busy for the takeoff activities.
Luke Gritter of Michigan gets ready for the final day on Hartwell.
Luke Gritter of Michigan gets ready for the final day on Hartwell.
Troy Huddleston, the Day 2 leader and Mike Powell, the non-boater champion, have their Toyota trucks hitched to the boats.
Troy Huddleston, the Day 2 leader and Mike Powell, the non-boater champion, have their Toyota trucks hitched to the boats.
Huddleston represents Arkansas and the Natural State Bass Club.
Huddleston represents Arkansas and the Natural State Bass Club.
Fishing his second consecutive championship is Matt Pangrac, the boater champion from Oklahoma.
Fishing his second consecutive championship is Matt Pangrac, the boater champion from Oklahoma.
The boats begin leaving the service yard for the ramp at Green Pond Landing and Events Center.
The boats begin leaving the service yard for the ramp at Green Pond Landing and Events Center.
The anglers are scheduled to weigh-in at 3:45 p.m. ET.
The anglers are scheduled to weigh-in at 3:45 p.m. ET.
Each boat is towed by a Toyota Tundra or Tacoma pickup.
Each boat is towed by a Toyota Tundra or Tacoma pickup.
The forecast calls for a beautiful day of fishing with sunny skies and highs in the 70s.
The forecast calls for a beautiful day of fishing with sunny skies and highs in the 70s.
Twelve boats are launched at the ramp for the final day.
Twelve boats are launched at the ramp for the final day.
Family, friends and many of the B.A.S.S. Nation presidents from around the nation are on the dock for the takeoff.
Family, friends and many of the B.A.S.S. Nation presidents from around the nation are on the dock for the takeoff.
The time is near for the 7:30 a.m. takeoff.
The time is near for the 7:30 a.m. takeoff.