Toyota Bonus Bucks: From the water

Time to get this Toyota Owner’s Tournament started!

Photo: Shaye Baker

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In this tournament, you can have any boat you want but your tow vehicle has to be a Toyota.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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Some good looking rigs at launch.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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Toyota owners drove from all over the country to participate.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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Don Barone is has a bone to pick with Team Redneck.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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Day is about to break.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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We saw a wide variety of tow vehicles from Toyota.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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Team Redneck is on the scene.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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Famed B.A.S.S. photographer James Overstreet is on the other side of the camera this week.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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Only a few boats left to launch.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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Safe light is upon us. Takeoff in just a few minutes at 6:30.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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We saw a wide variety of participants in this year’s event.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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There were several male and female teams.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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Photo: Shaye Baker

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The anglers are getting restless.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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James Overstreet makes a few last minute adjustments.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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Team Barone has arrived.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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Don Barone is relying heavily on the knowledge of local hammer Jimmy Mason to help him overtake the rednecks of James Overstreet and Steve Bowman.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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Bring whatever boat you want, just get it here with a Toyota and you’re in.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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A little trash talk to get the day started.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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Over a hundred boats show up for the second annual Toyota Owner’s Tournament.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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Emcee Dave Mercer is ready to go.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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TowBoat U.S. will lead the anglers out onto Lake Wheeler.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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Go time.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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Mercer sends out boat number one.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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Get your GoPro going.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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The first flight eases out.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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Flight 2 waits patiently.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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May do a little hunting if the fish aren’t biting.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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Get your game face on.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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“I’m coming for you rednecks.”

Photo: Shaye Baker

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Good times had by all as Dave Mercer kept the anglers entertained.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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A little father son time.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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Anglers are ready to finally get out on the water.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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Let’s hear it for the ladies.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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A team works the bank early.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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Brian Elder and Troy Mims hookup as we make our way over.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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They’re fishing a Wheeler Lake favorite, the discharge.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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The swift water keeps the bait stirred up.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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Do not anchor or dredge sure, but I don’t see anything on there about not hammering on some bass.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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Teammates Hatcliff and Perryman work a ledge early.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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John Thorton and Donny Davis also work offshore.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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TowBoat U.S. is on patrol.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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Jill Vanlandingham and Janie Chase look for a better bite after catching shorts all morning.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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Carhartt College Series anglers Marty Ballard and Trevor Howard from the University of Kentucky work a bluff wall.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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Darrell Gleasen and Kevin Jeane ignite a school of small bass.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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Catching several fish.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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No good ones yet, but having lots of fun.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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Will Eller and Ron Welch go to work on a few schooling fish.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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Another bass for Welch and Eller.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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The father and son team of Edgar and Will Alewine make their way down the bank.

Photo: Shaye Baker

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Toyota Bonus Bucks: From the water

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