Nation: Day 2 launch

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At 5:30 a.m. the boat ramp gets crowded at Callville Bay Marina and Resort. Day 2 is about to begin at the Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation Western Regional Championship presented by Magellan Outdoors.
At 5:30 a.m. the boat ramp gets crowded at Callville Bay Marina and Resort. Day 2 is about to begin at the Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation Western Regional Championship presented by Magellan Outdoors.
Thirty minutes later the sun begins to rise over Lake Mead, where the anglers will fish on cut day. The top 3 boaters and co-anglers from each state advance to the championship round on Day 3.
Thirty minutes later the sun begins to rise over Lake Mead, where the anglers will fish on cut day. The top 3 boaters and co-anglers from each state advance to the championship round on Day 3.
The courtesy dock at Callville Bay Marina is long enough to accommodate much of the first flight. Those boats begin lining up about 30 minutes prior to takeoff.
The courtesy dock at Callville Bay Marina is long enough to accommodate much of the first flight. Those boats begin lining up about 30 minutes prior to takeoff.
Takeoff is 10 minutes away and final safety checks are underway. The B.A.S.S. staff gets a head start on handing off the numbered boat key fobs.
Takeoff is 10 minutes away and final safety checks are underway. The B.A.S.S. staff gets a head start on handing off the numbered boat key fobs.
A few minutes later the day is about to begin with the playing of the national anthem.
A few minutes later the day is about to begin with the playing of the national anthem.
The flag bearer is ready and the singer is getting tuned up.
The flag bearer is ready and the singer is getting tuned up.
He is the very talented Jon Stewart, director of the B.A.S.S. Nation.
He is the very talented Jon Stewart, director of the B.A.S.S. Nation.
The boats begin to leave as the dock gets busy.
The boats begin to leave as the dock gets busy.
The first 3 boats idle to the No Wake boundary where they are free to take off.
The first 3 boats idle to the No Wake boundary where they are free to take off.
Audrey McKenney is one of the many state presidents on hand for the tournament. Audrey is from Colorado and her team gets a lot of encouragement from the shoreline.
Audrey McKenney is one of the many state presidents on hand for the tournament. Audrey is from Colorado and her team gets a lot of encouragement from the shoreline.
That point is made obvious as a Colorado team boat idles past Audrey. She’s a good sport, too, cheering on other state anglers as well.
That point is made obvious as a Colorado team boat idles past Audrey. She’s a good sport, too, cheering on other state anglers as well.
The object of today is making the cut, although today the state team with the most cumulative weight is awarded a new boat.
The object of today is making the cut, although today the state team with the most cumulative weight is awarded a new boat.
Anglers representing 11 states of the B.A.S.S. Nation are competing in the tournament.
Anglers representing 11 states of the B.A.S.S. Nation are competing in the tournament.
The latter flights prepare to leave the dock for a day of fishing. The forecast calls for increasing clouds and a high in the upper 70s.
The latter flights prepare to leave the dock for a day of fishing. The forecast calls for increasing clouds and a high in the upper 70s.
On the opposite end of the takeoff point is Hank Weldon. It’s his job to get the boats organized into a line.
On the opposite end of the takeoff point is Hank Weldon. It’s his job to get the boats organized into a line.
That job appears to be falling into place as the line nears the end.
That job appears to be falling into place as the line nears the end.
This collection of signs is a bit discriminating. People can’t fish but dogs can do their business. You just better wear a Mutt Mitt for the cleanup job.
This collection of signs is a bit discriminating. People can’t fish but dogs can do their business. You just better wear a Mutt Mitt for the cleanup job.
A final check is made of livewells and running lights at this point in the line.
A final check is made of livewells and running lights at this point in the line.
After Weldon calls out the lineup the final checklist is marked off by Alan Pierce.
After Weldon calls out the lineup the final checklist is marked off by Alan Pierce.
Jon Stewart talks over the rock and roll music to call out the final boats in the line.
Jon Stewart talks over the rock and roll music to call out the final boats in the line.
From here the takeoff point and weigh-in site is a 20 minute drive through the scenic desert.
From here the takeoff point and weigh-in site is a 20 minute drive through the scenic desert.