Classic: Day 1 launch

The anglers take off on Lake Hartwell for Day 1 of the 2015 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro.

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Early this morning the bass world begins to arrive at Green Pond Landing in Anderson, SC. The county has done a nice job keeping the road and ramp ice-free.
Early this morning the bass world begins to arrive at Green Pond Landing in Anderson, SC. The county has done a nice job keeping the road and ramp ice-free.
Emcee Dave Mercer interviews Cliff Crochet prior to launch.
Emcee Dave Mercer interviews Cliff Crochet prior to launch.
Tournament director Trip Weldon is a man of many talents. Here he backs Todd Faircoth’s rig into Lake Hartwell.
Tournament director Trip Weldon is a man of many talents. Here he backs Todd Faircoth’s rig into Lake Hartwell.
That’s Justin Lucas’ Tundra and boat heading into the water. Many boats were frozen to the trailer.
That’s Justin Lucas’ Tundra and boat heading into the water. Many boats were frozen to the trailer.
The Weather Channel interviews Kevin VanDam.
The Weather Channel interviews Kevin VanDam.
Kevin VanDam, on left is in great spirits, despite missing qualifying in this Bassmaster Classic. Prior to this year he qualified in 24 Classics in a row.
Kevin VanDam, on left is in great spirits, despite missing qualifying in this Bassmaster Classic. Prior to this year he qualified in 24 Classics in a row.
Lots of media filming other media. It’s the Classic after all!
Lots of media filming other media. It’s the Classic after all!
Tournament officials work to get Randall Tharp’s boat unstuck from his trailer.
Tournament officials work to get Randall Tharp’s boat unstuck from his trailer.
KVD with has buddy Alan McGuckin, who is known by friends as Guck. I think it’s fair to say Guck is one of the most talented guys covering bass fishing.
KVD with has buddy Alan McGuckin, who is known by friends as Guck. I think it’s fair to say Guck is one of the most talented guys covering bass fishing.
KVD putting his GoPro to work.
KVD putting his GoPro to work.
Mike Iaconelli heads into Lake Hartwell.
Mike Iaconelli heads into Lake Hartwell.
Stephen Browning hops into his boat, with Hank Weldon assisting.
Stephen Browning hops into his boat, with Hank Weldon assisting.
Mike McClelland gets ready for the day. This Arkansas boy is fired up for the day.
Mike McClelland gets ready for the day. This Arkansas boy is fired up for the day.
That’s AOY Champ Greg Hackney underneath a lot of clothing. He reported that he’s plenty warm.
That’s AOY Champ Greg Hackney underneath a lot of clothing. He reported that he’s plenty warm.
Green Pond was a cluster of activity.
Green Pond was a cluster of activity.
The boat dock at Green Pond was packed with media, but was plenty stable and free of ice.
The boat dock at Green Pond was packed with media, but was plenty stable and free of ice.
Both Yamaha and Mercury had big saltwater boats on Lake Hartwell for cameraman and staff to follow the tournament.
Both Yamaha and Mercury had big saltwater boats on Lake Hartwell for cameraman and staff to follow the tournament.
The fans came out in force today.
The fans came out in force today.
Dave Mercer talking with last years champ Randy Howell
Dave Mercer talking with last years champ Randy Howell
2014 Classic Champ attracted lots of media attention.
2014 Classic Champ attracted lots of media attention.
Dave Mercer interviews the man in yellow, Skeet Reese.
Dave Mercer interviews the man in yellow, Skeet Reese.
A little bit of cold did not dampen the enthusiasm of these fishing fans.
A little bit of cold did not dampen the enthusiasm of these fishing fans.
Ott DeFoe heads into the chilly waters of Lake Hartwell.
Ott DeFoe heads into the chilly waters of Lake Hartwell.
Dave Mercer interviews South Carolina native and leading contender Casey Ashley.
Dave Mercer interviews South Carolina native and leading contender Casey Ashley.
The GEICO Gecko is in the house!
The GEICO Gecko is in the house!
Stephen Browning prepares for the day.
Stephen Browning prepares for the day.
Brandon Palaniuk with his trusty GoPro strapped to his chest.
Brandon Palaniuk with his trusty GoPro strapped to his chest.
All the anglers are making last minute adjustments. That’s Todd Faircloth in the center.
All the anglers are making last minute adjustments. That’s Todd Faircloth in the center.
Paul Elias on left and David Kilgore on the right.
Paul Elias on left and David Kilgore on the right.
Japanese angler Morizo Shimizu gets ready for the day.
Japanese angler Morizo Shimizu gets ready for the day.
Japanese fans were out in force today.
Japanese fans were out in force today.
And they’re finally off, after boats frozen to trailers delayed the launch a bit.
And they’re finally off, after boats frozen to trailers delayed the launch a bit.
David Walker and his Marshal prepare to take off. His Marshal is a smart man, or woman (?) to wear the motorcycle helmet.
David Walker and his Marshal prepare to take off. His Marshal is a smart man, or woman (?) to wear the motorcycle helmet.
Motorcyle Marshal waves to the crowd.
Motorcyle Marshal waves to the crowd.
Motorcycle helmets were a popular accessory today. That’s Randall Tharp in the foreground.
Motorcycle helmets were a popular accessory today. That’s Randall Tharp in the foreground.
The big boats from Yamaha and Mercury watch the takeoff.
The big boats from Yamaha and Mercury watch the takeoff.
A big barge held some of the media and spectators.
A big barge held some of the media and spectators.
The GEICO Gecko prepares to lead the anglers out into Harwell.
The GEICO Gecko prepares to lead the anglers out into Harwell.
The helicopter arrives! It is piloted and owned by Greg Shore. Bassmaster.com photographers Mike Suchan and David Jones are aboard.
The helicopter arrives! It is piloted and owned by Greg Shore. Bassmaster.com photographers Mike Suchan and David Jones are aboard.
David Kilgore of Alabama unties.
David Kilgore of Alabama unties.
Mike Iaconelli waves to the crowd. That’s one of our new live stream cameras on board with him.
Mike Iaconelli waves to the crowd. That’s one of our new live stream cameras on board with him.
More anglers head out to the big lake.
More anglers head out to the big lake.
Brandon Palaniuk starts his day.
Brandon Palaniuk starts his day.
Dave Mercer checks the order for blast off.
Dave Mercer checks the order for blast off.
Takahiro Omori works to shake off the cold.
Takahiro Omori works to shake off the cold.
Skeet Reese framed by a cloud of his own breath.
Skeet Reese framed by a cloud of his own breath.
Backing the boat into Lake Harwell.
Backing the boat into Lake Harwell.
Randall Tharp mounts his GoPro camera.
Randall Tharp mounts his GoPro camera.
Mike McClelland looks like a big man because of all the layers.
Mike McClelland looks like a big man because of all the layers.
Dean Rojas is wearing a little more clothing than he might be in his native Arizona.
Dean Rojas is wearing a little more clothing than he might be in his native Arizona.
That’s 2012 Classic Champ Chris Lane underneath all that gear.
That’s 2012 Classic Champ Chris Lane underneath all that gear.
Like a lot of big time sporting events, planes flew overhead sporting messages from our sponsors.
Like a lot of big time sporting events, planes flew overhead sporting messages from our sponsors.
Mark Davis doing a few warm up exercises.
Mark Davis doing a few warm up exercises.
It's no surprise that fishing fans aren't afraid of a little cold weather.
It’s no surprise that fishing fans aren’t afraid of a little cold weather.
Media members chronicle take off.
Media members chronicle take off.
The Gecko leads us in the national anthem.
The Gecko leads us in the national anthem.
South Carolina pro Casey Ashley did a fantastic rendition of the national anthem.
South Carolina pro Casey Ashley did a fantastic rendition of the national anthem.
The Gecko leads the anglers out into the big waters of Lake Hartwell. The Gecko is happy to pose for selfies everywhere he goes!
The Gecko leads the anglers out into the big waters of Lake Hartwell. The Gecko is happy to pose for selfies everywhere he goes!
After a long wait it’s finally time to blast off.
After a long wait it’s finally time to blast off.
Oklahoma pro Edwin Evers gives a thumbs up the crowd.
Oklahoma pro Edwin Evers gives a thumbs up the crowd.