Final day launch on Mississippi River

The pros were in good spirits during launch this morning at La Crosse.

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<p>Bassmaster tournament officials point Fred Roumbanis in the right direction as the anglers arrive for the Day Four launch of the Diet Mountain Dew Mississippi Rumble presented by Power-Pole.</p>
Bassmaster tournament officials point Fred Roumbanis in the right direction as the anglers arrive for the Day Four launch of the Diet Mountain Dew Mississippi Rumble presented by Power-Pole.
<p>Cliff Crochet comes into the day energized.</p>
Cliff Crochet comes into the day energized.
<p>John Crews does some early morning stretching at the Veterans Freedom Park dock.</p>
John Crews does some early morning stretching at the Veterans Freedom Park dock.
<p>Cliff Pirch is happy to be in his first Top 12.</p>
Cliff Pirch is happy to be in his first Top 12.
<p>Takahiro Omori gingerly places his rods on the boat deck.</p>
Takahiro Omori gingerly places his rods on the boat deck.
<p>Randy Howell is all smiles as of late, especially after squeaking into the final day by 2 ounces and coming off an Opens victory.</p>
Randy Howell is all smiles as of late, especially after squeaking into the final day by 2 ounces and coming off an Opens victory.
<p>Now Fred Roumbanis knows which way.</p>
Now Fred Roumbanis knows which way.
<p>John Crews gets to his tackle business.</p>
John Crews gets to his tackle business.
<p>Takahiro Omori has chosen his weapons for the day.</p>
Takahiro Omori has chosen his weapons for the day.
<p>Todd Faircloth, who won this event last year, seems to be the calm in the middle of the storm of activity.</p>
Todd Faircloth, who won this event last year, seems to be the calm in the middle of the storm of activity.
<p>Bobby Lane signs a hat for a fan.</p>
Bobby Lane signs a hat for a fan.
<p>Edwin Evers climbed into the Top 12, and he feels better knowing he’ll gain ground in the AOY race after this event.</p>
Edwin Evers climbed into the Top 12, and he feels better knowing he’ll gain ground in the AOY race after this event.
<p>A fan captures images of his kids with the anglers as his background.</p>
A fan captures images of his kids with the anglers as his background.
<p>Some of the competitors would likely wish they could have this message heeded on their boat.</p>
Some of the competitors would likely wish they could have this message heeded on their boat.
<p>B.A.S.S. emcee Dave Mercer interviews second-place Tommy Biffle.</p>
B.A.S.S. emcee Dave Mercer interviews second-place Tommy Biffle.
<p>Leader Aaron Martens looks over to his closest competitor, Biffle, who said he’d get it done and Martens would again finish second at this venue.</p>
Leader Aaron Martens looks over to his closest competitor, Biffle, who said he’d get it done and Martens would again finish second at this venue.
<p>Martens said Biffle always says stuff like that as they look eye to eye.</p>
Martens said Biffle always says stuff like that as they look eye to eye.
<p>Brandon Card and the rest of the Top 12 stand at attention for the National Anthem.</p>
Brandon Card and the rest of the Top 12 stand at attention for the National Anthem.
<p>The flag flies at the end of the dock with a few spectators watching from the Clinton Avenue bridge.</p>
The flag flies at the end of the dock with a few spectators watching from the Clinton Avenue bridge.
<p>Martens and Biffle engage their throttles as Day Four is about to get under way.</p>
Martens and Biffle engage their throttles as Day Four is about to get under way.
<p>Martens waves to the crowd as he heads out into the Black River, which feeds into the Mississippi River.</p>
Martens waves to the crowd as he heads out into the Black River, which feeds into the Mississippi River.
<p>Biffle acknowledges the crowd as he idles out.</p>
Biffle acknowledges the crowd as he idles out.
<p>The remainder of the field waits their turn.</p>
The remainder of the field waits their turn.
<p>A small crowd and B.A.S.S. officials look on as all the boats leave in less than two minutes.</p>
A small crowd and B.A.S.S. officials look on as all the boats leave in less than two minutes.