High School: Lay Lake registration

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See over 500 high school anglers gather at the Robert M. McChesney Student Activity center on the University of Montevallo's campus and get ready for the 2018 Mossy Oak Bassmaster High School Southern Open presented by DICK'S Sporting Goods!
See over 500 high school anglers gather at the Robert M. McChesney Student Activity center on the University of Montevallo’s campus and get ready for the 2018 Mossy Oak Bassmaster High School Southern Open presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods!
Mossy Oak Fishing gave anglers an option of a shirt...
Mossy Oak Fishing gave anglers an option of a shirt…
or a hat!
or a hat!
All of this Berkley Powerbait Max Scent was gone by the end of the line.
All of this Berkley Powerbait Max Scent was gone by the end of the line.
Here's what the gymnasium looked like before it was full of high school anglers from as far away as Nebraska
Here’s what the gymnasium looked like before it was full of high school anglers from as far away as Nebraska
Carhartt was on hand with some good looking hats.
Carhartt was on hand with some good looking hats.
As was Phoenix.
As was Phoenix.
Alabama Power works to keep its many reservoirs friendly to bass anglers.
Alabama Power works to keep its many reservoirs friendly to bass anglers.
They even had hats in Auburn and Alabama colors. A necessity in this state.
They even had hats in Auburn and Alabama colors. A necessity in this state.
Here is what all the anglers are here for.
Here is what all the anglers are here for.
The University of Montevallo fishing team were great hosts, wrangling the crowds and refreshing the pizza for the hungry teenagers.
The University of Montevallo fishing team were great hosts, wrangling the crowds and refreshing the pizza for the hungry teenagers.
And there were a ton of teams...
And there were a ton of teams…
They just kept coming.
They just kept coming.
The giant hall seemed very empty when I arrived but soon was full of eager anglers.
The giant hall seemed very empty when I arrived but soon was full of eager anglers.
Ally Beth and Emma play catch before the anglers file in.
Ally Beth and Emma play catch before the anglers file in.
Tournament Director Hank Weldon talks to the B.A.S.S. staff on hand including B.A.S.S. Nation Director Jon Stewart.
Tournament Director Hank Weldon talks to the B.A.S.S. staff on hand including B.A.S.S. Nation Director Jon Stewart.
Look out! That's Elite Series angler, 2014 Bassmaster Classic champ and...boat captain for this week Randy Howell. His son is fishing in his first B.A.S.S. High School event.
Look out! That’s Elite Series angler, 2014 Bassmaster Classic champ and…boat captain for this week Randy Howell. His son is fishing in his first B.A.S.S. High School event.
The crowd of anglers file into the gym to get their swag.
The crowd of anglers file into the gym to get their swag.
Morgan County High School (Madison, Georgia)'s Will Thomas and Landon Huff pick up some soft baits that could come in handy tomorrow.
Morgan County High School (Madison, Georgia)’s Will Thomas and Landon Huff pick up some soft baits that could come in handy tomorrow.
Bailey Talent from Livingston Academy in Livingston, Tennessee goes through the line.
Bailey Talent from Livingston Academy in Livingston, Tennessee goes through the line.
Grayson Morris from Briarwood High School in Birmingham caught me taking his picture as he acquired a Mossy Oak Fishing shirt.
Grayson Morris from Briarwood High School in Birmingham caught me taking his picture as he acquired a Mossy Oak Fishing shirt.
You couldn't miss the Vinemont High fishing team. It also happens to be where the reigning two-time GEICO Bassmaster Classic champ calls home.
You couldn’t miss the Vinemont High fishing team. It also happens to be where the reigning two-time GEICO Bassmaster Classic champ calls home.
At one point, to get to the end of the line I had to cut under the bleachers because the entry way was so packed.
At one point, to get to the end of the line I had to cut under the bleachers because the entry way was so packed.
Vinemont's Greg Moore and JB Johnson found the pizza. The University of Montevallo's fishing team provided dinner for everyone, and no one left hungry.
Vinemont’s Greg Moore and JB Johnson found the pizza. The University of Montevallo’s fishing team provided dinner for everyone, and no one left hungry.
Here's a look at the empty boxes... and this was just halfway through the teams chowing down!
Here’s a look at the empty boxes… and this was just halfway through the teams chowing down!
Wes Anderson and the team from Alabama Power educate anglers about conservation in Alabama.
Wes Anderson and the team from Alabama Power educate anglers about conservation in Alabama.
Anglers file through pretty quickly...
Anglers file through pretty quickly…
...and grab a bite to eat, like Moody High's Jackson Isbell, Scott Canterbury and Gabe Lunsford.
…and grab a bite to eat, like Moody High’s Jackson Isbell, Scott Canterbury and Gabe Lunsford.
Fortunately, this was not a problem tonight.
Fortunately, this was not a problem tonight.
Not even when Randy Howell talked to the students.
Not even when Randy Howell talked to the students.
A really impressive crowd of the future of fishing.
A really impressive crowd of the future of fishing.
Tomorrow they take on Lay Lake!
Tomorrow they take on Lay Lake!