Southern Open No. 3 launch

See photos from the launch of the third and final Bass Pro Shops Southern Open on Lewis Smith Lake in Alabama.

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<p>Tow BoatU.S. tow services are available to anglers this week on Smith Lake at the third and final Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Southern Open.</p>
Photo: B.A.S.S., James Overstreet - Tow BoatU.S. tow services are available to anglers this week on Smith Lake at the third and final Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Southern Open.
<p>Charlie Hartley enjoys a cup of coffee while waiting for his morning launch time.</p>
Photo: B.A.S.S., James Overstreet - Charlie Hartley enjoys a cup of coffee while waiting for his morning launch time.
<p>The morning launch and weigh-in are located near the Lewis Smith Lake Dam.</p>
Photo: B.A.S.S., James Overstreet - The morning launch and weigh-in are located near the Lewis Smith Lake Dam.
<p>Cliff Crochet and his fellow competitors have a laugh before launch time.</p>
Photo: B.A.S.S., James Overstreet - Cliff Crochet and his fellow competitors have a laugh before launch time.
<p>Brandon Card idles to the morning boat inspection.</p>
Photo: B.A.S.S., James Overstreet - Brandon Card idles to the morning boat inspection.
<p>The first flight of anglers idles onto Smith Lake to begin their first day of fishing.</p>
Photo: B.A.S.S., James Overstreet - The first flight of anglers idles onto Smith Lake to begin their first day of fishing.
<p>Aaron Martens is one of many Bassmaster Elite Series anglers fishing this Southern Open.</p>
Photo: B.A.S.S., James Overstreet - Aaron Martens is one of many Bassmaster Elite Series anglers fishing this Southern Open.
<p>Alabama’s Gerald Swindle will be one of the local favorites on Smith Lake.</p>
Photo: B.A.S.S., James Overstreet - Alabama’s Gerald Swindle will be one of the local favorites on Smith Lake.
<p>Spectators begin to line the parking area to view the morning launch.</p>
Photo: B.A.S.S., James Overstreet - Spectators begin to line the parking area to view the morning launch.
<p>A light fog greeted the anglers at the Day One launch.</p>
Photo: B.A.S.S., James Overstreet - A light fog greeted the anglers at the Day One launch.
<p>A boat speeds away from the launch area on Smith Lake.</p>
Photo: B.A.S.S., James Overstreet - A boat speeds away from the launch area on Smith Lake.
<p>Kay Donaldson, program director for the Alabama Bass Trail, checks out a photo on Classic champ Chris Lane’s phone.</p>
Photo: B.A.S.S., James Overstreet - Kay Donaldson, program director for the Alabama Bass Trail, checks out a photo on Classic champ Chris Lane’s phone.
<p>The sun peeks over a Smith Lake treeline as the anglers assemble for launch.</p>
Photo: B.A.S.S., James Overstreet - The sun peeks over a Smith Lake treeline as the anglers assemble for launch.
<p>Terry Scroggins idles past the livewell inspection.</p>
Photo: B.A.S.S., James Overstreet - Terry Scroggins idles past the livewell inspection.
<p>Chris Lane makes last minute preparations to his fishing tackle.</p>
Photo: B.A.S.S., James Overstreet - Chris Lane makes last minute preparations to his fishing tackle.
<p>Two lanes of trucks and boats make their way to the launch ramp.</p>
Photo: B.A.S.S., James Overstreet - Two lanes of trucks and boats make their way to the launch ramp.
<p>Co-anglers wait along a guard rail to meet the pros they will fish with on Day One.</p>
Photo: B.A.S.S., James Overstreet - Co-anglers wait along a guard rail to meet the pros they will fish with on Day One.
<p>At times, the parade of trucks and boats stretched for nearly a quarter mile.</p>
Photo: B.A.S.S., James Overstreet - At times, the parade of trucks and boats stretched for nearly a quarter mile.
<p>Brian Schramm, known as the "Rockin' Fisherman," will fish as a co-angler on Smith Lake. The Michigan native and musician for Uncle Kracker, has performed on many stages, including <em>The Tonight Show with Jay Leno</em>.</p>
Photo: B.A.S.S., James Overstreet - Brian Schramm, known as the "Rockin' Fisherman," will fish as a co-angler on Smith Lake. The Michigan native and musician for Uncle Kracker, has performed on many stages, including The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.
<p>A small army of volunteers helped orchestrate the morning launch on Smith Lake.</p>
Photo: B.A.S.S., James Overstreet - A small army of volunteers helped orchestrate the morning launch on Smith Lake.
<p>Anglers stand in their boats as the national anthem is played.</p>
Photo: B.A.S.S., James Overstreet - Anglers stand in their boats as the national anthem is played.
<p>B.A.S.S. Senior Tournament Manager Chris Bowes orchestrates the morning launch.</p>
Photo: B.A.S.S., James Overstreet - B.A.S.S. Senior Tournament Manager Chris Bowes orchestrates the morning launch.
<p>Boats begin to line up in the order they will move out for Day One.</p>
Photo: B.A.S.S., James Overstreet - Boats begin to line up in the order they will move out for Day One.
<p>B.A.S.S. staff members stand at the end of a dock to monitor boats as they idle past the morning boat inspection.</p>
Photo: B.A.S.S., James Overstreet - B.A.S.S. staff members stand at the end of a dock to monitor boats as they idle past the morning boat inspection.
<p>Clay Dyer idles past the dock and receives a key fob from the B.A.S.S. staff.</p>
Photo: B.A.S.S., James Overstreet - Clay Dyer idles past the dock and receives a key fob from the B.A.S.S. staff.