Day One launch on West Point

Elites launch for Day One of the West Point Lake Battle.

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<p> </p> <p>Fans and anglers gathered around the ramp and boat dock prior to the 6:42 a.m. Day One takeoff of the West Point Lake Battle.</p>
 
Fans and anglers gathered around the ramp and boat dock prior to the 6:42 a.m. Day One takeoff of the West Point Lake Battle.
<p>The neon lights on the Elite Series anglers' boats added a bright start to a windy, overcast morning, with rain in the forecast.</p>
The neon lights on the Elite Series anglers’ boats added a bright start to a windy, overcast morning, with rain in the forecast.
<p>Charlie Hartley's boat is front-and-center on shore.</p>
Charlie Hartley’s boat is front-and-center on shore.
<p>Pastor Todd Shearin wanted to send a shout-out to his "teammates at Serenity Hospice."</p>
Pastor Todd Shearin wanted to send a shout-out to his “teammates at Serenity Hospice.”
<p> </p> <p>Rick Clunn and Chris Lane trade some last-minute thoughts.</p>
 
Rick Clunn and Chris Lane trade some last-minute thoughts.
<p> </p> <p>Ott DeFoe (left) and Keith Poche make final preparations for the day.</p>
 
Ott DeFoe (left) and Keith Poche make final preparations for the day.
<p>Rick Clunn visits with his marshal as Chris Lane works on his tackle.</p>
Rick Clunn visits with his marshal as Chris Lane works on his tackle.
<p> </p> <p>Chris Lane thinks West Point is fishing tougher than it did in 2011, when Steve Kennedy won the last Elite Series event here.</p>
 
Chris Lane thinks West Point is fishing tougher than it did in 2011, when Steve Kennedy won the last Elite Series event here.
<p> </p> <p>Shaw Grigsby checks over his electronics before takeoff time.</p>
 
Shaw Grigsby checks over his electronics before takeoff time.
<p> </p> <p>Anglers and observers stand at attention during the National Anthem.</p>
 
Anglers and observers stand at attention during the National Anthem.
<p>Scott Ashmore gets ready for the takeoff.</p>
Scott Ashmore gets ready for the takeoff.
<p>Tournament director Trip Weldon calls out boat numbers so the anglers can get lined up.</p>
Tournament director Trip Weldon calls out boat numbers so the anglers can get lined up.
<p> </p> <p>Fans came out early on the 60-degree morning to get autographs and photos.</p>
 
Fans came out early on the 60-degree morning to get autographs and photos.
<p>Dennis Tietje gets his check-in time. First flight is due in at 3:15 p.m.</p>
Dennis Tietje gets his check-in time. First flight is due in at 3:15 p.m.
<p>Takahiro Omoro smiles at the GoPro camera extended toward him at takeoff.</p>
Takahiro Omoro smiles at the GoPro camera extended toward him at takeoff.
<p>As Clifford Pirch comes by the dock, a fan snaps a cell phone photo and a youngster appears perplexed.</p>
As Clifford Pirch comes by the dock, a fan snaps a cell phone photo and a youngster appears perplexed.
<p> </p> <p>John Crews cruises by the final check point.</p>
 
John Crews cruises by the final check point.
<p> </p> <p>Jason Christie is the hottest man in bass fishing, having won the last Elite Series event at Bull Shoals and an FLW event at Beaver Lake the week before that.</p>
 
Jason Christie is the hottest man in bass fishing, having won the last Elite Series event at Bull Shoals and an FLW event at Beaver Lake the week before that.
<p>Scott Rook gets the GoPro-on-a-stick treatment before heading out. Rook finished 15<sup>th</sup> in 2011 at West Point.</p>
Scott Rook gets the GoPro-on-a-stick treatment before heading out. Rook finished 15th in 2011 at West Point.
<p>David Walker was in third place after Day One in 2011 at West Point, before finishing 21<sup>st</sup>.</p>
David Walker was in third place after Day One in 2011 at West Point, before finishing 21st.
<p>Mike Iaconelli pushes away from the dock before takeoff.</p>
Mike Iaconelli pushes away from the dock before takeoff.
<p> </p> <p>Rick Clunn heads out on what may be common weather this week here — cloudy, occasional rain and highs around 70 degrees.</p>
 
Rick Clunn heads out on what may be common weather this week here — cloudy, occasional rain and highs around 70 degrees.
<p> </p> <p>Trip Weldon barks the boat order as Steve Kennedy gets in line with his Kinami-wrapped boat. Kennedy grew up near here and won in 2011 on West Point with a four-day total of 64 pounds, 14 ounces.</p>
 
Trip Weldon barks the boat order as Steve Kennedy gets in line with his Kinami-wrapped boat. Kennedy grew up near here and won in 2011 on West Point with a four-day total of 64 pounds, 14 ounces.
<p>Kevin Short, brilliantly-colored as usual, heads out on West Point, which has been on the rise this week.</p>
Kevin Short, brilliantly-colored as usual, heads out on West Point, which has been on the rise this week.
<p> </p> <p>A local television reporter prepares to tape an interview.</p>
 
A local television reporter prepares to tape an interview.
<p> </p> <p>With 100 boats gone from the dock, fans head for the off ramp.</p>
 
With 100 boats gone from the dock, fans head for the off ramp.