Day Three Launch

Under fierce weather conditions, the Top 50 Elite pros launched into the Mighty Mississippi to battle for the biggest bag.

Posted on
<p>Marshals wait to see who they will ride with on Day Three of the Diet Mountain Dew Mississippi River Rumble presented by Power-Pole.</p>
Marshals wait to see who they will ride with on Day Three of the Diet Mountain Dew Mississippi River Rumble presented by Power-Pole.
<p>The launch at Veteran’s Freedom Park was again overcast, but the downpours subsided to give a launch window without rain.</p>
The launch at Veteran’s Freedom Park was again overcast, but the downpours subsided to give a launch window without rain.
<p>Chris Lane backs down a slick ramp at the park.</p>
Chris Lane backs down a slick ramp at the park.
<p>Lane, who hopes to move up from 38th and make the Top 12, concentrates on floating his boat.</p>
Lane, who hopes to move up from 38th and make the Top 12, concentrates on floating his boat.
<p>Starting the day in seventh place, Greg Vinson has victory on his mind.</p>
Starting the day in seventh place, Greg Vinson has victory on his mind.
<p>Tommy Biffle puts in with hopes of climbing from his second-place standing.</p>
Tommy Biffle puts in with hopes of climbing from his second-place standing.
<p>There were severe showers before daylight and again after the anglers went out, but the rain held off during much of the takeoff.</p>
There were severe showers before daylight and again after the anglers went out, but the rain held off during much of the takeoff.
<p>Edwin Evers goes through his truck bed of tackle looking for the right lures to keep his lead in the Angler of the Year race.</p>
Edwin Evers goes through his truck bed of tackle looking for the right lures to keep his lead in the Angler of the Year race.
<p>Cliff Crochet stands tall in the threatening skies as he puts in.</p>
Cliff Crochet stands tall in the threatening skies as he puts in.
<p>There was rain and lightning in the distance.</p>
There was rain and lightning in the distance.
<p>Fans record the morning action.</p>
Fans record the morning action.
<p>Steve Wright interviews tournament Aaron Martens, who took over the lead after Brandon Palaniuk was disqualified.</p>
Steve Wright interviews tournament Aaron Martens, who took over the lead after Brandon Palaniuk was disqualified.
<p>As the new leader, Martens garnered much of the media attention.</p>
As the new leader, Martens garnered much of the media attention.
<p>Dennis Tietje stands at attention for the national anthem.</p>
Dennis Tietje stands at attention for the national anthem.
<p>Tommy Biffle idles through the checkout line.</p>
Tommy Biffle idles through the checkout line.
<p>B.A.S.S. officials direct traffic as the anglers make their way out onto the Mississippi River.</p>
B.A.S.S. officials direct traffic as the anglers make their way out onto the Mississippi River.
<p>Randy Howell flashes a smile for the camera as spectators line the Clinton Street bridge. </p>
Randy Howell flashes a smile for the camera as spectators line the Clinton Street bridge. 
<p>Takahiro Omori, who begins the day in 10th place, rolls through the line.</p>
Takahiro Omori, who begins the day in 10th place, rolls through the line.
<p>Cliff Crochet pushes off the dock as he heads out.</p>
Cliff Crochet pushes off the dock as he heads out.
<p>Dave Mercer announces the anglers as they pass the check station.</p>
Dave Mercer announces the anglers as they pass the check station.
<p>Starting in 12th, Scott Rook hopes to stay in the cut to fish Sunday.</p>
Starting in 12th, Scott Rook hopes to stay in the cut to fish Sunday.
<p>Key fobs are thrown to the 50 anglers competing on Day Three.</p>
Key fobs are thrown to the 50 anglers competing on Day Three.
<p>Casey Scanlon’s marshal keeps his eye on the fob.</p>
Casey Scanlon’s marshal keeps his eye on the fob.
<p>Steve Kennedy pulls his trolling motor as he prepares to take off.</p>
Steve Kennedy pulls his trolling motor as he prepares to take off.