2012 Classic: Practice on the Red River

Competitors in the 2012 Bassmaster Classic anxiously wait for the start of Practice Day.

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<p> Jeff Kriet launches his boat for the official practice day in the 2012 Bassmaster Classic.</p>
Jeff Kriet launches his boat for the official practice day in the 2012 Bassmaster Classic.
<p> Competitors wait for the sun rise Wednesday morning for the start of Practice Day.</p>
Competitors wait for the sun rise Wednesday morning for the start of Practice Day.
<p> Fred Roumbanis’ boat casts an eerie green glow as it goes through the launch line.</p>
Fred Roumbanis’ boat casts an eerie green glow as it goes through the launch line.
<p> Not to be out done, Randy Howell’s truck and boat is under-carriage blue lights.</p>
Not to be out done, Randy Howell’s truck and boat is under-carriage blue lights.
<p> Ott DeFoe is all smiles for the start of his first Classic.</p>
Ott DeFoe is all smiles for the start of his first Classic.
<p> Aaron Martens takes delivery of biscuits and orange juice for breakfast while he waits to launch.</p>
Aaron Martens takes delivery of biscuits and orange juice for breakfast while he waits to launch.
<p> Competitors in the 2012 Bassmaster Classic line the dock waiting for the start of Practice Day.</p>
Competitors in the 2012 Bassmaster Classic line the dock waiting for the start of Practice Day.
<p> Takahiro Omori listens to the tournament crew as he ties his boat to the dock Wednesday morning.</p>
Takahiro Omori listens to the tournament crew as he ties his boat to the dock Wednesday morning.
<p> Dean Rojas watches as boats launch nearby.</p>
Dean Rojas watches as boats launch nearby.
<p> Brandon Palaniuk visits with Yamaha technician David Ashcraft before the start of Pactice Day</p>
Brandon Palaniuk visits with Yamaha technician David Ashcraft before the start of Pactice Day
<p> Bassmaster Marshals wait in line to get in a boat with one of the competitors in this year’s Bassmaster Classic.</p>
Bassmaster Marshals wait in line to get in a boat with one of the competitors in this year’s Bassmaster Classic.
<p> Kevin VanDam gives Mark Tucker a “good luck” handshake before the start of Practice Day.</p>
Kevin VanDam gives Mark Tucker a “good luck” handshake before the start of Practice Day.
<p> Kevin VanDam (left) and Michael Iaconelli wait for the sun to rise on Practice Day.</p>
Kevin VanDam (left) and Michael Iaconelli wait for the sun to rise on Practice Day.
<p> Randy Howell’s boat cast around blue lights is easy to see in the darkness of Wednesday morning.</p>
Randy Howell’s boat cast around blue lights is easy to see in the darkness of Wednesday morning.
<p> Not only is Howell’s truck and trailer lines in blue lights, so is the deck of his boat.</p>
Not only is Howell’s truck and trailer lines in blue lights, so is the deck of his boat.
<p> Boats line the dock as competitors get ready for the start of the day.</p>
Boats line the dock as competitors get ready for the start of the day.
<p> Stephen Browning ties his boat to the take-off dock.</p>
Stephen Browning ties his boat to the take-off dock.
<p> Stephen Kennedy gets his tackle ready for Practice Day.</p>
Stephen Kennedy gets his tackle ready for Practice Day.
<p> Max Leatherwood, Bassmaster tournament official, gets ready to push Matt Reed from the dock Wednesday morning.</p>
Max Leatherwood, Bassmaster tournament official, gets ready to push Matt Reed from the dock Wednesday morning.
<p> Competitors leave Red River South Marina in a line Wednesday morning.</p>
Competitors leave Red River South Marina in a line Wednesday morning.
<p> Brandon Palaniuk idles his way to the take-off line.</p>
Brandon Palaniuk idles his way to the take-off line.