Open: Day 1 begins

The pro anglers and co-anglers are set for Day 1 of the 2015 Bass Pro Shops Southern Open #2 presented by Allstate.

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It’s all brake lights on Cooter’s Pond Road in Prattville, where 200 boats are set to launch into the Alabama River.
It’s all brake lights on Cooter’s Pond Road in Prattville, where 200 boats are set to launch into the Alabama River.
What looks like a display of Christmas lights on a suburban lawn are boats floating in Cooter’s Pond.
What looks like a display of Christmas lights on a suburban lawn are boats floating in Cooter’s Pond.
The anglers' boats begin to congregate at the boat ramp.
The anglers’ boats begin to congregate at the boat ramp.
The forecast calls for a high probability of rain.
The forecast calls for a high probability of rain.
The flags are whipped by the early morning wind as a strong front is on the way with thunderstorms.
The flags are whipped by the early morning wind as a strong front is on the way with thunderstorms.
Cooter’s Pond is a picturesque setting for the Day 1 launch of the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Southern Opens #2 presented by Allstate.
Cooter’s Pond is a picturesque setting for the Day 1 launch of the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Southern Opens #2 presented by Allstate.
Chris Bowes lines up the first flight for the day ahead.
Chris Bowes lines up the first flight for the day ahead.
It’s a tight squeeze at the boat dock, where the anglers are lining up for the takeoff.
It’s a tight squeeze at the boat dock, where the anglers are lining up for the takeoff.
The tournament has a full field of 200 boats.
The tournament has a full field of 200 boats.
The national anthem plays just prior to the designated official start time of 6 a.m.
The national anthem plays just prior to the designated official start time of 6 a.m.
The anglers pay tribute to the nation during the playing of the national anthem.
The anglers pay tribute to the nation during the playing of the national anthem.
B.A.S.S. officials decide to delay the takeoff by 10 minutes for safer light conditions.
B.A.S.S. officials decide to delay the takeoff by 10 minutes for safer light conditions.
Boats idle through the safety check line.
Boats idle through the safety check line.
Brandon Lester is one of the Elite Series angler fishing this Southern Open.
Brandon Lester is one of the Elite Series angler fishing this Southern Open.
The flights of boats continue passing through the safety check point.
The flights of boats continue passing through the safety check point.
The final boats arrive at the boat ramp.
The final boats arrive at the boat ramp.
Jason Williamson prepares to launch his boat.
Jason Williamson prepares to launch his boat.
Chris Lane is one of the last to arrive for Day 1.
Chris Lane is one of the last to arrive for Day 1.
Chris Lane launches into Cooter’s Pond for a rainy day of fishing.
Chris Lane launches into Cooter’s Pond for a rainy day of fishing.
Somehow all of these boats will idle into a single file line for the competition.
Somehow all of these boats will idle into a single file line for the competition.
B.A.S.S. Senior Tournament Manager Chris Bowes calls out the anglers to get lined up in order for the launch.
B.A.S.S. Senior Tournament Manager Chris Bowes calls out the anglers to get lined up in order for the launch.
The boats idle past the final point in the check out where the anglers receive a numbered floating key fob.
The boats idle past the final point in the check out where the anglers receive a numbered floating key fob.
The final boats line up and head out for Day 1 on the Alabama River.
The final boats line up and head out for Day 1 on the Alabama River.