Southern Open: Day 1 begins

The first boats arrive at the boat ramp at Venetian Gardens in downtown Leesburg for the start of the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Southern Open.
The first boats arrive at the boat ramp at Venetian Gardens in downtown Leesburg for the start of the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Southern Open.
Venetian Gardens has a long history with B.A.S.S. The B.A.S.S. MegaBucks event was held here in 1986.
Venetian Gardens has a long history with B.A.S.S. The B.A.S.S. MegaBucks event was held here in 1986.
That’s a long time since today’s splashy trucks and boats, and complete with LED lighting from bumper to stern.
That’s a long time since today’s splashy trucks and boats, and complete with LED lighting from bumper to stern.
The ramp will be a busy place. It’s 6 a.m. and the backing in is happening in full force.
The ramp will be a busy place. It’s 6 a.m. and the backing in is happening in full force.
Today’s weather is perfect for a January day in Florida. Sunny skies with highs in the low 80s.
Today’s weather is perfect for a January day in Florida. Sunny skies with highs in the low 80s.
The final checkpoint in the takeoff process happens right here. It’s aboard the Shimano Live Release Boat, where the boats are checked for fully functioning livewells and outboard kill switches.
The final checkpoint in the takeoff process happens right here. It’s aboard the Shimano Live Release Boat, where the boats are checked for fully functioning livewells and outboard kill switches.
Charlie Hartley is all smiles and laughs, as usual. He spends lots of time in Florida during winter. Lately, he’s spent more time over in Texas, where he scouted Lake Conroe for the upcoming GEICO Bassmaster Classic.
Charlie Hartley is all smiles and laughs, as usual. He spends lots of time in Florida during winter. Lately, he’s spent more time over in Texas, where he scouted Lake Conroe for the upcoming GEICO Bassmaster Classic.
The tournament is a full field of 200 boats with a pro and co-angler aboard each boat.
The tournament is a full field of 200 boats with a pro and co-angler aboard each boat.
Each boat gets a floating boat fob with a corresponding number to be used upon checking back in at Venetian Gardens.
Each boat gets a floating boat fob with a corresponding number to be used upon checking back in at Venetian Gardens.
A crowd of family and friends gathers at the beach to take in the balmy morning weather and cheer on the anglers.
A crowd of family and friends gathers at the beach to take in the balmy morning weather and cheer on the anglers.
Jordan Lee is now an accomplished young pro in the Bassmaster Elite Series. He got there fishing the Opens. He still likes the competition.
Jordan Lee is now an accomplished young pro in the Bassmaster Elite Series. He got there fishing the Opens. He still likes the competition.
Lee got to the Opens by fishing the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops. Another aspiring college angler is John Garrett, winner of the college national championship. His reward includes fishing the Opens.
Lee got to the Opens by fishing the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops. Another aspiring college angler is John Garrett, winner of the college national championship. His reward includes fishing the Opens.
Elite Series pro Chad Morgenthaler has a long, successful history of tournament success in Florida. A couple years ago he won the first Open of the season held not far away from here at the Kissimmee Chain.
Elite Series pro Chad Morgenthaler has a long, successful history of tournament success in Florida. A couple years ago he won the first Open of the season held not far away from here at the Kissimmee Chain.
This go around the tournament fisheries include Big Lake Harris and Little Lake Harris, both north of Orlando in Lake County.
This go around the tournament fisheries include Big Lake Harris and Little Lake Harris, both north of Orlando in Lake County.
Terry Scroggins is one of the many Florida anglers fishing this event for a shot at the 2018 GEICO Bassmaster Classic.
Terry Scroggins is one of the many Florida anglers fishing this event for a shot at the 2018 GEICO Bassmaster Classic.
So is Roland Martin, another Florida pro who is joined this week in the tournament by Scott, one of the top pros on the FLW Tour.
So is Roland Martin, another Florida pro who is joined this week in the tournament by Scott, one of the top pros on the FLW Tour.
It’s 7:30 a.m. and the final boats leave the dock. The weigh-in begins at 3 p.m. ET.
It’s 7:30 a.m. and the final boats leave the dock. The weigh-in begins at 3 p.m. ET.
Boats will return in flights with the final group due back at 5:15 p.m.
Boats will return in flights with the final group due back at 5:15 p.m.
The fishing is expected to be terrific as evidenced by the blog photos on Bassmaster.com.
The fishing is expected to be terrific as evidenced by the blog photos on Bassmaster.com.