Open: Day 1 launch

See the pros and co-anglers rev up and head out for Day 1 of the 2015 Bass Pro Shops Central Open #2 presented by Allstate.

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At the upper right the planet Venus appears with the moon in the predawn sky on over Fort Gibson Lake, Sept. 10, 2015, at the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Central Open presented by Allstate.
At the upper right the planet Venus appears with the moon in the predawn sky on over Fort Gibson Lake, Sept. 10, 2015, at the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Central Open presented by Allstate.
The Star Spangled Banner plays as the anglers honor the nation just prior to the beginning of Day 1.
The Star Spangled Banner plays as the anglers honor the nation just prior to the beginning of Day 1.
Mike McClelland is from nearby Arkansas and he’s a favorite to win on Fort Gibson.
Mike McClelland is from nearby Arkansas and he’s a favorite to win on Fort Gibson.
The tournament begins at 6:45 a.m. with the first flights due back at 2:45 p.m.
The tournament begins at 6:45 a.m. with the first flights due back at 2:45 p.m.
Co-anglers meet their boater partners at the weigh in site at Taylors Ferry North Recreation Area.
Co-anglers meet their boater partners at the weigh in site at Taylors Ferry North Recreation Area.
McClelland is favored due to his offshore angling skills when the bass inhabit rockpiles, which are abundant on this lake.
McClelland is favored due to his offshore angling skills when the bass inhabit rockpiles, which are abundant on this lake.
The second flight is well underway with 15 minutes into the check out process.
The second flight is well underway with 15 minutes into the check out process.
There are 177 boats in the tournament and this is the second of three Central Opens. The first was held in March on Ross Barnett Reservoir in Mississippi.
There are 177 boats in the tournament and this is the second of three Central Opens. The first was held in March on Ross Barnett Reservoir in Mississippi.
The forecast calls for partly sunny skies, light breezes and temperatures in the high 80s. Those are unusually calm but welcomed conditions in any tournament.
The forecast calls for partly sunny skies, light breezes and temperatures in the high 80s. Those are unusually calm but welcomed conditions in any tournament.
Senior Tournament Manager Chris Bowes continues lining up the boats with flight number 2.
Senior Tournament Manager Chris Bowes continues lining up the boats with flight number 2.
Trait Crist is among a large group of Texans in the tournament.
Trait Crist is among a large group of Texans in the tournament.
The legendary Rick Clunn is fishing his fourth decade of B.A.S.S. competition this season.
The legendary Rick Clunn is fishing his fourth decade of B.A.S.S. competition this season.
Oklahoman Jeff Kriet is another favorite to win the tournament.
Oklahoman Jeff Kriet is another favorite to win the tournament.
Gary Klein passes through the final safety check point with well wishes from wife Jana.
Gary Klein passes through the final safety check point with well wishes from wife Jana.
Britt Myers of the University of Louisiana Monroe hopes for a productive day on the lake.
Britt Myers of the University of Louisiana Monroe hopes for a productive day on the lake.
The boats are organized into flights. These late comers are hoping to get on spots for the early topwater bite.
The boats are organized into flights. These late comers are hoping to get on spots for the early topwater bite.
Another flight gets lined up by Senior Tournament Manager Chris Bowes.
Another flight gets lined up by Senior Tournament Manager Chris Bowes.
Arkansas pro Kevin Short has a strong history on Fort Gibson and he hopes to continue the trend.
Arkansas pro Kevin Short has a strong history on Fort Gibson and he hopes to continue the trend.
Short does not have a long commute to the takeoff site at Taylor’s Ferry North. He and wife Kerry are camping at nearby Sequoyah State Park.
Short does not have a long commute to the takeoff site at Taylor’s Ferry North. He and wife Kerry are camping at nearby Sequoyah State Park.
The latter flights pass through the checkpoint on the lower end of Fort Gibson.
The latter flights pass through the checkpoint on the lower end of Fort Gibson.
It’s a good bet that inside these bags are terminal tackled used for rigging Senkos used by Shin Fukae.
It’s a good bet that inside these bags are terminal tackled used for rigging Senkos used by Shin Fukae.
The Senkos are ready and Shin Fukae wears a smile of confidence as he idles through the takeoff line.
The Senkos are ready and Shin Fukae wears a smile of confidence as he idles through the takeoff line.
Miyuki Fukae is no doubt taking pictures of husband Shin.
Miyuki Fukae is no doubt taking pictures of husband Shin.
A boat speeds up lake to catch the early morning bite.
A boat speeds up lake to catch the early morning bite.
The box holding the floating key fob numbers begins to empty as the boats check out for the day.
The box holding the floating key fob numbers begins to empty as the boats check out for the day.
Boat number 177 is the last out and the day is fully underway on Fort Gibson.
Boat number 177 is the last out and the day is fully underway on Fort Gibson.