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