St. Clair: Day 1 launch

The Bassmaster Elite Series pros head out for the first day of the Plano Bassmaster Elite at Lake St. Clair.

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The line of Bassmaster Elite Series pros snaked through the Lake St. Clair Metropark early Thursday morning.
The line of Bassmaster Elite Series pros snaked through the Lake St. Clair Metropark early Thursday morning.
Elites like Mike Iaconelli were waiting for their turn to launch into the calm waters of Lake St. Clair.
Elites like Mike Iaconelli were waiting for their turn to launch into the calm waters of Lake St. Clair.
Michigan native Kevin VanDam knows these waters well.
Michigan native Kevin VanDam knows these waters well.
Japanese angler Ken Iyobe is all smiles for Day 1 of the Plano Bassmaster Elite at Lake St. Clair.
Japanese angler Ken Iyobe is all smiles for Day 1 of the Plano Bassmaster Elite at Lake St. Clair.
In the foreground Aaron Martens prepares for Day 1 of the Plano Bassmaster Elite at Lake St. Clair. Martens currently leads the AOY standings by 69 points over his closest competitor, Justin Lucas.
In the foreground Aaron Martens prepares for Day 1 of the Plano Bassmaster Elite at Lake St. Clair. Martens currently leads the AOY standings by 69 points over his closest competitor, Justin Lucas.
After a practice that was plagued by brisk winds, Day 1 started out with mild winds and clearing skies.
After a practice that was plagued by brisk winds, Day 1 started out with mild winds and clearing skies.
Skeet Reese looks to be set for a day of smallie fishing.
Skeet Reese looks to be set for a day of smallie fishing.
Brett Hite's boat brings a little light to the proceedings.
Brett Hite’s boat brings a little light to the proceedings.
Slowly but surely, the sun rises in the eastern sky.
Slowly but surely, the sun rises in the eastern sky.
With so much room to roam, Chuck Harbin has to work to get the anglers' attention.
With so much room to roam, Chuck Harbin has to work to get the anglers’ attention.
As with every day of Bassmaster competition, the first step is honoring the U.S. with the national anthem.
As with every day of Bassmaster competition, the first step is honoring the U.S. with the national anthem.
The launch goes live, and Chesapeake Bay Elite event winner Aaron Martens soon floats by.
The launch goes live, and Chesapeake Bay Elite event winner Aaron Martens soon floats by.
Britt Myers floats by before dawn.
Britt Myers floats by before dawn.
The line of Elites heads toward the horizon.
The line of Elites heads toward the horizon.
Ohio-native Fletcher Shyrock is the next angler to head out.
Ohio-native Fletcher Shyrock is the next angler to head out.
Morizo Shimizu boats up to look for big mama...
Morizo Shimizu boats up to look for big mama…
Kevin VanDam shows his early-morning game face.
Kevin VanDam shows his early-morning game face.
Chad Pipkens checks his electronics.
Chad Pipkens checks his electronics.
The line floats on...
The line floats on…
...and some anglers opt for Lake Erie, some for Lake Huron and some for Lake St. Clair.
…and some anglers opt for Lake Erie, some for Lake Huron and some for Lake St. Clair.
Anxious and excited Bassmaster fans line the dock.
Anxious and excited Bassmaster fans line the dock.
Alton Jones finishes up his livewell check.
Alton Jones finishes up his livewell check.
Brandon Palaniuk soon follows.
Brandon Palaniuk soon follows.
Max Leatherwood checks off boats as the idle through the morning safety inspection.
Max Leatherwood checks off boats as the idle through the morning safety inspection.
Trudy Tietje takes a photo of her favorite Elite Series angler, her husband Dennis Tietje.
Trudy Tietje takes a photo of her favorite Elite Series angler, her husband Dennis Tietje.
Gerald Swindle is coming off a fourth place finish at the last Elite Series event at Chesapeake Bay.
Gerald Swindle is coming off a fourth place finish at the last Elite Series event at Chesapeake Bay.
This could be the last Elite Series event for Kevin Short; he has announced his retirement after the season ends.
This could be the last Elite Series event for Kevin Short; he has announced his retirement after the season ends.
Dennis Tietje leads a flight of boats past spectators and photographers lining the seawall at the morning launch site at Lake St. Clair Metropark.
Dennis Tietje leads a flight of boats past spectators and photographers lining the seawall at the morning launch site at Lake St. Clair Metropark.
Later flights of anglers begin to position their boats for their morning launch time.
Later flights of anglers begin to position their boats for their morning launch time.
Shannon Fontaine livened the morning launch up with music.
Shannon Fontaine livened the morning launch up with music.
Emcee Dave Mercer was multi-tasking, both announcing the anglers names and shooting BassCams.
Emcee Dave Mercer was multi-tasking, both announcing the anglers names and shooting BassCams.
Chris Lane won the last Elite Series event held on Lake St. Clair in 2013.
Chris Lane won the last Elite Series event held on Lake St. Clair in 2013.
Rick Clunn leads the final flight of boats onto Lake St. Clair.
Rick Clunn leads the final flight of boats onto Lake St. Clair.