

College B.A.S.S. circuit director Hank Weldon gets some help from Danny Hampton installing rod straps on Upshawâs boat, which Weldon had picked up at the Bass Pro Shops Tracker Marine factory in Springfield, Mo.

Upshaw was furnished a Nitro Z9 with a Mercury ProXS Optimax 250, similar to the boat Kevin VanDam will run, and wrapped in Stephen F. Austin colors along with College B.A.S.S. and Bass Pro Shops.

The rod straps were one of the few embellishments needed.

Weldon also places Bass Pro Shops and College B.A.S.S. decals on the decks.

Upshaw, the first collegiate angler to reach the Classic, will ride in style.

B.A.S.S. workers check out the boat as Weldon prepares to head out onto the water to break in the motor.

With the purple of Stephen F. Austin, the craft should be hard to miss.

With a fresh shot of oil, Weldon is off to get more break-in time on the motor.