In this photo gallery you will see the 2009 elite series Dixie Duel on Wheeler lake in Alabama. It is the third day launch.
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Photo: James Overstreet - ESPN cameramen James Massey and Rick Mason prepare before the third and final day of the Evan Williams Bourbon Dixie Duel.Photo: James Overstreet - Bassmaster Elite Series angler Jason Quinn (37th place, 23 pounds, 1 ounce) preps his tackle before takeoff.
Photo: James Overstreet - Angler Guy Eaker (47th, 22-11) barely slid into the 50-man cut, which will be the final cut in the truncated three-day tournament.Photo: James Overstreet - Angler Kenyon Hill (19th, 25-8) appears to admire the gear on the deck of Jason Quinn's boat as Quinn laughs.Photo: James Overstreet - Angler Gary Klein began the final day in 10th place, almost 8 pounds behind leader Tommy Biffle.
Photo: James Overstreet - The sun peeks over the horizon of BASS sponsor vehicles parked beside Lake Wheeler.Photo: James Overstreet - Reigning Bassmaster Classic champion Skeet Reese began Day Three in 45th place with 22-13.Photo: James Overstreet - Angler Mark Davis began Day Three in a four-way tie for 41st place.
Photo: James Overstreet - Angler Mike Iaconelli (fifth, 29-13) is fishing for his second top-10 finish in three Elite Series events this season.Photo: James Overstreet - Leader Tommy Biffle shows BASS photographer Seigo Saito his position on Lake Wheeler before he takes off for Day Three.Photo: James Overstreet - ESPN cameraman Rick Mason mikes up Takahiro Omori, who began the final day in second place, 2-7 behind leader Tommy Biffle.
Photo: James Overstreet - Bradley Hallman began the final day in third place, 5-2 from the lead.Photo: James Overstreet - Fishing in his native Alabama, Randy Howell began the final day in ninth place.Photo: James Overstreet - With midday thunderstorms forecast, the conditions on Day Three will favor Edwin Evers, who began the day tied for seventh, more than 7 pounds off the lead.
Photo: James Overstreet - Leader Tommy Biffle stands amid the hubbub of the takeoff at Ingalls Harbor.Photo: James Overstreet - At the appointed takeoff time of 7:15 a.m., Tommy Biffle was the first angler off the dock, behind only his cameraman.Photo: James Overstreet - Rick Morris, tied for seventh, launched on Day Three with a chance at one of his best-ever BASS tournament finishes.
Photo: James Overstreet - ESPN's Mike McKinnis and Carey Barrett capture the takeoff from the air.Photo: James Overstreet - The Elite anglers' boats begin to fan out across Lake Wheeler.Photo: James Overstreet - Kotaro Kiriyama offers a thumbs-up as he begins the second flight of boats off the dock.
Photo: James Overstreet - Timmy Horton, here speeding southward, fell from 10th place to 31st on Day Two.Photo: James Overstreet - After falling from eighth to 45th after Day Two, Skeet Reese began Day Three with virtually nowhere to go but up.