Nation Central: Day 1 launch

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At 5:15 a.m. the B.A.S.S. staff is busy setting up a sound system for playing tunes and for Jon Stewart to line up the boats. He can get it done, even with one arm in a sling after shoulder surgery.
At 5:15 a.m. the B.A.S.S. staff is busy setting up a sound system for playing tunes and for Jon Stewart to line up the boats. He can get it done, even with one arm in a sling after shoulder surgery.
Minutes later boats begin filling Guntersville City Harbor. The takeoff begins at 6 a.m. but it takes lots of coordination for the traffic to get organized.
Minutes later boats begin filling Guntersville City Harbor. The takeoff begins at 6 a.m. but it takes lots of coordination for the traffic to get organized.
The tunes begin playing as the boats arrive. One of the fringe benefits, maybe, of being director of a B.A.S.S. tournament is having the choice of play lists for takeoff.
The tunes begin playing as the boats arrive. One of the fringe benefits, maybe, of being director of a B.A.S.S. tournament is having the choice of play lists for takeoff.
Jon Stewart’s playlist begins with soft rock. That’s an appropriate choice at 5:30 in the morning.
Jon Stewart’s playlist begins with soft rock. That’s an appropriate choice at 5:30 in the morning.
“Make It Rain” plays as the B.A.S.S. staff helps get boats lined up in numerical order for the first flight.
“Make It Rain” plays as the B.A.S.S. staff helps get boats lined up in numerical order for the first flight.
Lake Guntersville and all of its’ 69,000 acres are fishing water for the Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation Central Regional presented by Magellan Outdoors.
Lake Guntersville and all of its’ 69,000 acres are fishing water for the Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation Central Regional presented by Magellan Outdoors.
Max Leatherwood checks boat insurance in the first flight. Last minute inspections are part of the process.
Max Leatherwood checks boat insurance in the first flight. Last minute inspections are part of the process.
What looks chaotic is actually very organized. The first two flights are in the harbor with Flight No. 1 lining up on the dock.
What looks chaotic is actually very organized. The first two flights are in the harbor with Flight No. 1 lining up on the dock.
What looks a curious angler checking out cool rod sleeves is actually a safety inspection by a B.A.S.S. official.
What looks a curious angler checking out cool rod sleeves is actually a safety inspection by a B.A.S.S. official.
Bow and stern lights are needed now and they are required for operation even at 6 a.m. when the light is improved and the tournament gets underway.
Bow and stern lights are needed now and they are required for operation even at 6 a.m. when the light is improved and the tournament gets underway.
Team and family members pose for a final pic before the start of Day 1.
Team and family members pose for a final pic before the start of Day 1.
With 19 states comes an equally large contingent of family and friends on hand for the takeoff. States from South Dakota to the home state of Alabama are here.
With 19 states comes an equally large contingent of family and friends on hand for the takeoff. States from South Dakota to the home state of Alabama are here.
The first flight, or most of it, are lined up on the dock awaiting a morning ritual that occurs at every B.A.S.S. event.
The first flight, or most of it, are lined up on the dock awaiting a morning ritual that occurs at every B.A.S.S. event.
That is the playing of the national anthem.
That is the playing of the national anthem.
Boat No. 1 leaves the dock at exactly 6 a.m. What follows are 190 boats in the tournament.
Boat No. 1 leaves the dock at exactly 6 a.m. What follows are 190 boats in the tournament.
Under the new for 2016 each boat has a boater and non-boater. The top angler from each category and state advances to the Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation Championship presented by Magellan Outdoors.
Under the new for 2016 each boat has a boater and non-boater. The top angler from each category and state advances to the Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation Championship presented by Magellan Outdoors.
B.A.S.S. Nation presidents, alternative anglers and family are here for the tournament.
B.A.S.S. Nation presidents, alternative anglers and family are here for the tournament.
That support includes these guys from Iowa.
That support includes these guys from Iowa.
The forecast calls for partly sunny skies with a high of 78. The conditions are perfect for a nice run down the Tennessee River.
The forecast calls for partly sunny skies with a high of 78. The conditions are perfect for a nice run down the Tennessee River.
Drivers commute to work while boaters do the same. This bridge crosses the Tennessee River with Hwy. 431 connecting Guntersville to nearby Huntsville.
Drivers commute to work while boaters do the same. This bridge crosses the Tennessee River with Hwy. 431 connecting Guntersville to nearby Huntsville.
The weigh-in site is along the roadway at Guntersville City Harbor. Weigh-in begins at 2:15 p.m.
The weigh-in site is along the roadway at Guntersville City Harbor. Weigh-in begins at 2:15 p.m.
The opening scene from Top Gun is recreated as Hank Weldon directs boats out of the harbor.
The opening scene from Top Gun is recreated as Hank Weldon directs boats out of the harbor.
Meanwhile, Emily Hand flips another page on the clipboard and another flight is ready for checking off the list.
Meanwhile, Emily Hand flips another page on the clipboard and another flight is ready for checking off the list.
The tunes continue playing as the final flight departs the dock.
The tunes continue playing as the final flight departs the dock.
The boats return at staggered times beginning at 2:15 p.m.
The boats return at staggered times beginning at 2:15 p.m.
This boat is one of few heading down river. Most of the field sped off to Brown’s Creek, a popular and productive fishing spot.
This boat is one of few heading down river. Most of the field sped off to Brown’s Creek, a popular and productive fishing spot.