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<p>Fans and anglers gathered around the ramp and boat dock prior to the 6:42 a.m. Day One takeoff of the West Point Lake Battle.</p>](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/1_dock_gathering.jpg)
Fans and anglers gathered around the ramp and boat dock prior to the 6:42 a.m. Day One takeoff of the West Point Lake Battle.
![<p>The neon lights on the Elite Series anglers' boats added a bright start to a windy, overcast morning, with rain in the forecast.</p>](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/2_purple_haze.jpg)
![<p>Charlie Hartley's boat is front-and-center on shore.</p>](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/3_harleys_boat_dock.jpg)
![<p>Pastor Todd Shearin wanted to send a shout-out to his "teammates at Serenity Hospice."</p>](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/4_shearin.jpg)
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<p>Rick Clunn and Chris Lane trade some last-minute thoughts.</p>](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/5_clunn_plus.jpg)
Rick Clunn and Chris Lane trade some last-minute thoughts.
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<p>Ott DeFoe (left) and Keith Poche make final preparations for the day.</p>](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/6_defoe_poche.jpg)
Ott DeFoe (left) and Keith Poche make final preparations for the day.
![<p>Rick Clunn visits with his marshal as Chris Lane works on his tackle.</p>](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/7_clunn_c.jpg)
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<p>Chris Lane thinks West Point is fishing tougher than it did in 2011, when Steve Kennedy won the last Elite Series event here.</p>](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/8_chris_lane.jpg)
Chris Lane thinks West Point is fishing tougher than it did in 2011, when Steve Kennedy won the last Elite Series event here.
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<p>Shaw Grigsby checks over his electronics before takeoff time.</p>](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/new_shaw_grigsby_photo.jpg)
Shaw Grigsby checks over his electronics before takeoff time.
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<p>Anglers and observers stand at attention during the National Anthem.</p>](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/national_anthem_replacement.jpg)
Anglers and observers stand at attention during the National Anthem.
![<p>Scott Ashmore gets ready for the takeoff.</p>](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/11scottashmore.jpg)
![<p>Tournament director Trip Weldon calls out boat numbers so the anglers can get lined up.</p>](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/12trip.jpg)
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<p>Fans came out early on the 60-degree morning to get autographs and photos.</p>](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/13fansondock.jpg)
Fans came out early on the 60-degree morning to get autographs and photos.
![<p>Dennis Tietje gets his check-in time. First flight is due in at 3:15 p.m.</p>](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/14tietje.jpg)
![<p>Takahiro Omoro smiles at the GoPro camera extended toward him at takeoff.</p>](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/15takahiro.jpg)
![<p>As Clifford Pirch comes by the dock, a fan snaps a cell phone photo and a youngster appears perplexed.</p>](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/16cliffpirch.jpg)
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<p>John Crews cruises by the final check point.</p>](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/17crews.jpg)
John Crews cruises by the final check point.
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<p>Jason Christie is the hottest man in bass fishing, having won the last Elite Series event at Bull Shoals and an FLW event at Beaver Lake the week before that.</p>](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/18christie.jpg)
Jason Christie is the hottest man in bass fishing, having won the last Elite Series event at Bull Shoals and an FLW event at Beaver Lake the week before that.
![<p>Scott Rook gets the GoPro-on-a-stick treatment before heading out. Rook finished 15<sup>th</sup> in 2011 at West Point.</p>](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/19rook.jpg)
![<p>David Walker was in third place after Day One in 2011 at West Point, before finishing 21<sup>st</sup>.</p>](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/20walker.jpg)
![<p>Mike Iaconelli pushes away from the dock before takeoff.</p>](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/21ike.jpg)
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<p>Rick Clunn heads out on what may be common weather this week here â cloudy, occasional rain and highs around 70 degrees.</p>](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/22clunn.jpg)
Rick Clunn heads out on what may be common weather this week here â cloudy, occasional rain and highs around 70 degrees.
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<p>Trip Weldon barks the boat order as Steve Kennedy gets in line with his Kinami-wrapped boat. Kennedy grew up near here and won in 2011 on West Point with a four-day total of 64 pounds, 14 ounces.</p>](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/23kennedy_trip.jpg)
Trip Weldon barks the boat order as Steve Kennedy gets in line with his Kinami-wrapped boat. Kennedy grew up near here and won in 2011 on West Point with a four-day total of 64 pounds, 14 ounces.
![<p>Kevin Short, brilliantly-colored as usual, heads out on West Point, which has been on the rise this week.</p>](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/24short.jpg)
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<p>A local television reporter prepares to tape an interview.</p>](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/25localmedia.jpg)
A local television reporter prepares to tape an interview.
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<p>With 100 boats gone from the dock, fans head for the off ramp.</p>](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/261fansleaving.jpg)
With 100 boats gone from the dock, fans head for the off ramp.