Spaniards take on Lake Cortes

Members of the Levante Bass Club in Valencia, Spain, compete on Lake Cortes to qualify for the 2015 Spain B.A.S.S. Nation team.

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Members of the Levante Bass Club in Valencia, Spain, went out on Lake Cortes in Cofrentes, which is in the eastern part of the country, in late summer to qualify two anglers to compete on the 2015 Spain B.A.S.S. Nation team.
Members of the Levante Bass Club in Valencia, Spain, went out on Lake Cortes in Cofrentes, which is in the eastern part of the country, in late summer to qualify two anglers to compete on the 2015 Spain B.A.S.S. Nation team.
No big trucks here! Sedans led many of the boats into the water.
No big trucks here! Sedans led many of the boats into the water.
The boats gather around the dock before the first take-off. Spain only permits 20 boats in one lake at a time.
The boats gather around the dock before the first take-off. Spain only permits 20 boats in one lake at a time.
Anglers give a thumbs up before heading out in the morning.
Anglers give a thumbs up before heading out in the morning.
It's a relaxing morning as competitors scout their spots for later in the day.
It’s a relaxing morning as competitors scout their spots for later in the day.
The takeoff for the morning part of the tournament was at 9 a.m. The real competition begins later.
The takeoff for the morning part of the tournament was at 9 a.m. The real competition begins later.
The aluminum boats stayed on the ramp of the aqueduct to minimize the movement on the water.
The aluminum boats stayed on the ramp of the aqueduct to minimize the movement on the water.
“The Mune” shows off what his club calls an “impeccable craft that meets the highest standards of neatness.”
The competitors come back to the dock and meet up with others who didn't join the
The competitors come back to the dock and meet up with others who didn’t join the “early” takeoff …
... and they all go to lunch. They walk through the streets of Cortes de Pallas for a leisurely meal.
… and they all go to lunch. They walk through the streets of Cortes de Pallas for a leisurely meal.
During lunch, they go over the rules of the tournament.
During lunch, they go over the rules of the tournament.
Now, it's time for the real takeoff.
Now, it’s time for the real takeoff.
Here they go!
Here they go!
These guys get serious with their video camera action.
These guys get serious with their video camera action.
Spain's rolling hills paint a beautiful backdrop for the tournament.
Spain’s rolling hills paint a beautiful backdrop for the tournament.
And wow, does Spain have some nice bass! Pepe holds up this 2.4-kg largemouth, a 5-pound, 4-ouncer in American terms.
And wow, does Spain have some nice bass! Pepe holds up this 2.4-kg largemouth, a 5-pound, 4-ouncer in American terms.
The anglers bring their fish to a 9 p.m. weigh-in.
The anglers bring their fish to a 9 p.m. weigh-in.
And then they have a nice, relaxing dinner together.
And then they have a nice, relaxing dinner together.
The next morning, they're right back at it.
The next morning, they’re right back at it.
Another peaceful day on Lake Cortes ...
Another peaceful day on Lake Cortes …
... followed by more big catches!
… followed by more big catches!
The average fish weight of the tournament was around 2 pounds ...
The average fish weight of the tournament was around 2 pounds …
... but some, like David Garcia's bass on the right, went 5 1/2 pounds.
… but some, like David Garcia’s bass on the right, went 5 1/2 pounds.
And some required the angler to grow a new set of arms to hold up his entire limit.
And some required the angler to grow a new set of arms to hold up his entire limit.
Perero, who is known by just the one name, won the tournament with 15 pounds, 12 ounces. He qualified for the 2015 Spain B.A.S.S. Nation team, as did Alex Fabra, who finished second.
Perero, who is known by just the one name, won the tournament with 15 pounds, 12 ounces. He qualified for the 2015 Spain B.A.S.S. Nation team, as did Alex Fabra, who finished second.
The fish were placed in this pool before being released ...
The fish were placed in this pool before being released …
... later in the day to swim again in Lake Cortes.
… later in the day to swim again in Lake Cortes.