College: Day 1 on the water

The 2014 Carhartt College B.A.S.S. Wild Card gets underway on Pickwick Lake.

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It's still dark as the anglers arrive at McFarland Park.
It’s still dark as the anglers arrive at McFarland Park.
A beautiful morning on Pickwick.
A beautiful morning on Pickwick.
The anglers get ready to ride out.
The anglers get ready to ride out.
Boat No. 1 is at the docks.
Boat No. 1 is at the docks.
The first few boats line up.
The first few boats line up.
It's national anthem time.
It’s national anthem time.
Time to go.
Time to go.
The first few boats idle out.
The first few boats idle out.
Clemson eases out.
Clemson eases out.
The boats fall in line.
The boats fall in line.
Tournament manager Hank Weldon sends the anglers out.
Tournament manager Hank Weldon sends the anglers out.
Take-off continues.
Take-off continues.
There are calm skies in the morning, but a 50% chance of rain to come.
There are calm skies in the morning, but a 50% chance of rain to come.
A bird's eye view of take-off.
A bird’s eye view of take-off.
A little waterfall up near the Wilson Dam.
A little waterfall up near the Wilson Dam.
A few teams started Day 1 up around the dam.
A few teams started Day 1 up around the dam.
The University of West Alabama goes to work.
The University of West Alabama goes to work.
There are lots of nooks to fish up here.
There are lots of nooks to fish up here.
The south's space needle.
The south’s space needle.
Most of these rocks are underwater when the TVA starts generating.
Most of these rocks are underwater when the TVA starts generating.
The birds may find the rocks useful, but they make this area tricky to navigate for the anglers.
The birds may find the rocks useful, but they make this area tricky to navigate for the anglers.
AUM anglers working a ledge down river.
AUM anglers working a ledge down river.
In the distance, an angler brings one in.
In the distance, an angler brings one in.
A solid fish.
A solid fish.
UNA anglers work over a sweet spot.
UNA anglers work over a sweet spot.
They set the hook.
They set the hook.
A solid fish enters the boat.
A solid fish enters the boat.
But it's not big enough to cull.
But it’s not big enough to cull.
Young and Lenz get off to a great start, boating 18 pounds early.
Young and Lenz get off to a great start, boating 18 pounds early.
This marker buoy sits atop the sweet spot.
This marker buoy sits atop the sweet spot.
It's a nice target to chunk at.
It’s a nice target to chunk at.
Lenz is feeling good.
Lenz is feeling good.
Young heaves a bait.
Young heaves a bait.
Bryant Quattlebaum and Jordan Tuten hook up.
Bryant Quattlebaum and Jordan Tuten hook up.
The fish nears the boat.
The fish nears the boat.
And in the net.
And in the net.
Young and Lenz look on.
Young and Lenz look on.
Smile for the camera.
Smile for the camera.
Time to pick up and move on.
Time to pick up and move on.
A flotilla ahead.
A flotilla ahead.
UNA and FSU anglers share a ledge.
UNA and FSU anglers share a ledge.
On the move.
On the move.
Bethel's team of Swims and Ross.
Bethel’s team of Swims and Ross.
These two have had a great morning.
These two have had a great morning.
This 7-pounder anchors their bag of near 22 pounds.
This 7-pounder anchors their bag of near 22 pounds.
The two caught all their weight by 7:45 a.m.
The two caught all their weight by 7:45 a.m.
This was their smallest when I left them.
This was their smallest when I left them.
Time to look for an upgrade.
Time to look for an upgrade.