Day One launch on the Big “O”

The 2012 Elite Series field is fired up to tackle Florida's Lake Okeechobee for the 2012 Power-Pole Slam.

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<p> Marshals wait on the dock as Elite anglers launch their boats on Day One of the Power-Pole Slam on Lake Okeechobee.</p>
Marshals wait on the dock as Elite anglers launch their boats on Day One of the Power-Pole Slam on Lake Okeechobee.
<p> A caution sign reminds anglers that they are in a manatee area.</p>
A caution sign reminds anglers that they are in a manatee area.
<p> Russell Parrish gets his tackle ready for the start of the Power-Pole Slam on Lake Okeechobee.</p>
Russell Parrish gets his tackle ready for the start of the Power-Pole Slam on Lake Okeechobee.
<p> Gerald Swindle studies his electronics prior to take-off.</p>
Gerald Swindle studies his electronics prior to take-off.
<p> Steve Kennedy ties on lures as he waits for the take-off.</p>
Steve Kennedy ties on lures as he waits for the take-off.
<p> Paul Elias gets his rods ready for the day.</p>
Paul Elias gets his rods ready for the day.
<p> Fletcher Shryock cleans his electronics while waiting for the day to begin.</p>
Fletcher Shryock cleans his electronics while waiting for the day to begin.
<p> Elite Series pro Billy McCaghren launches his boat Thursday morning on Lake Okeechobee.</p>
Elite Series pro Billy McCaghren launches his boat Thursday morning on Lake Okeechobee.
<p> Anglers line the bank working on tackle prior to the start of Day One.</p>
Anglers line the bank working on tackle prior to the start of Day One.
<p> John Crews and Brent Broderick visit prior to the start of Day One.</p>
John Crews and Brent Broderick visit prior to the start of Day One.
<p> Keith Poche and Pat Golden sit in front of the take-off line waiting for the day to begin.</p>
Keith Poche and Pat Golden sit in front of the take-off line waiting for the day to begin.
<p> Anglers line the bank for the playing of the national anthem.</p>
Anglers line the bank for the playing of the national anthem.
<p> A long line of Elite angler boats get into position to take off.</p>
A long line of Elite angler boats get into position to take off.
<p> Marty Robinson gets ready to close his livewells after passing by the check-out point.</p>
Marty Robinson gets ready to close his livewells after passing by the check-out point.
<p> Morizo Shimizu idles up to the check-out point.</p>
Morizo Shimizu idles up to the check-out point.
<p> After passing the check-out point, boats enter the Kissimmee River to take off.</p>
After passing the check-out point, boats enter the Kissimmee River to take off.
<p> Boats start taking off at the Highway 98 bridge in the Kissimmee River as a truck full of oranges passes overhead.</p>
Boats start taking off at the Highway 98 bridge in the Kissimmee River as a truck full of oranges passes overhead.
<p> Anglers line their boats on the bank waiting for the start of Day One on Okeechobee.</p>
Anglers line their boats on the bank waiting for the start of Day One on Okeechobee.
<p> Aaron Martens passes the check-out boat.</p>
Aaron Martens passes the check-out boat.
<p> Billy McCaghren leads a line of boats past the check-out point.</p>
Billy McCaghren leads a line of boats past the check-out point.
<p> John Crews passes the check-out point Thursday morning.</p>
John Crews passes the check-out point Thursday morning.
<p> On the opposite bank, anglers get their gear ready.</p>
On the opposite bank, anglers get their gear ready.
<p> Chuck Harbin announces the take-off order Thursday morning.</p>
Chuck Harbin announces the take-off order Thursday morning.
<p> Dave Mercer interviews Bobby Lane for BASSCam.</p>
Dave Mercer interviews Bobby Lane for BASSCam.
<p> Jared Lintner works on his electronics before the take-off Thursday.</p>
Jared Lintner works on his electronics before the take-off Thursday.
<p> Rick Clunn watches and waits for the official take-off.</p>
Rick Clunn watches and waits for the official take-off.
<p> Brandon Palaniuk leads a line of boats through the check-out process.</p>
Brandon Palaniuk leads a line of boats through the check-out process.
<p> Brandon Card waves to a tournament official letting him know he’s in line to take off.</p>
Brandon Card waves to a tournament official letting him know he’s in line to take off.
<p> Spectators watch as the boats leave the staging area and idle into the Kissimmee River.</p>
Spectators watch as the boats leave the staging area and idle into the Kissimmee River.
<p> Brent Chapman passes the check-out boat.</p>
Brent Chapman passes the check-out boat.
<p> A group of boats idle through the Kissimmee River before they take off.</p>
A group of boats idle through the Kissimmee River before they take off.