2008 Bassmaster Classic

Johnnie Thomas, a Carolina First Center security guard and retired South Carolina Highway Patrolman, guards the gate to the boat yard where the support crews’ and Classic anglers’ boats are under tight security.

Lowrance Electronics’ Larry Byrd installs a 1.7 Crystal Transducer on Edwin Evers’ boat.

Darrell Rollins of Lowrance Electronics installs the interface for Edwin Evers that will give the sonar a sharper image and require less input from the user.

The Lowrance Electronics support team repairs the GPS and sonar units the Elite Series pros use. Here, Edwin Evers’ equipment is updated.

Peter Novak (left) and Tony Meadow refuel the more than 75 boats and Toyota Tundras in the boatyard Tuesday in preparation for Wednesday’s final day of practice on Lake Hartwell.

T.C. Kitchens, a South Carolina Highway Patrol Motorcycle Officer, guards the gate with his custom BMW RT1150P motorcycle. Security is taken seriously with millions of dollars worth of equipment in the boatyard.

Greg Hackney replaces a guide on one of his rods as he prepares for the last day of practice before the start of the 2008 Bassmasters Classic. This is the 40th year for the “Super Bowl” of bass fishing.

The Carolina Center is adjacent to a busy regional airport where airplanes are constantly taking off and landing as support staff and bass pros prepare for the Bassmaster Classic.

“Boat Alley” is an impressive sight, with bass rigs and Toyota Tundras parked within inches of each other. The center lane is used by support staff and re-fueling trucks for easy access to the business end of the boats.

Peter Thliveros opens a new electronic digital gps/sonar unit. Many of the contenders were mounting and preparing new equipment on the eve of the final Classic practice day.

John Crews works on his trolling motor as a brisk wind blows clouds across upper South Carolina.

Scott Rook organizes his rod box as clouds threaten overhead. The forecast for the Classic is less than desirable with cooler temperatures and rain a near certainty for the first day of competition.

John Mason and “Pee Wee” Powers place maps and informational sheets into each of the Toyota Tundras the Elite Series pros will be driving throughout the Classic weekend.

Mike Iaconelli has rods strewn about his boat as he digs through the stacks of tackle boxes in search of the perfect bait.

Scott Dubiel, a representative for Berkley, sorts through stacks of complimentary gift packages he will distribute among the anglers. He is a very popular guy when he starts making his rounds.

John McDonald with Bass Cat factory support makes his rounds, taking care of his sponsored anglers’ last-minute needs. Working from a portable shop, he can address most issues in short order.

Orrin Kimble of Mercury factory support checks and fills boats along the alley of the boatyard. He and other team members “topped off” each Mercury equipped boat with oil and addressed other mechanical issues.

Danny Vasquez of Mercury talks to Mary Lou Ives about the prop on Penny Berryman’s boat.

Pernell Jennings, Orrin Kimble, and Danny Vasquez of Mercury factory support review plans and discuss an angler’s boat.

Classic qualifier Derek Remitz lies on sharp gravel as he replaces a transducer on his boat. Many of the Elite Series pros maintain their own equipment, especially at crunch time.

Mike Basket, a Western Federation Division angler and a police officer by trade, readies his gear as Mercury’s Orrin Kimble checks his engine.

John Crews switches gear from his truck to the Toyota Tundra he will be driving over the next four days. Each angler is assigned a truck for the duration of the Bassmaster Classic.

Skeet Reese places signs on the back of his bass boat. Every angler has certain signage that must be in position on his boat.