Elite: Day 2 launch on Bull Shoals

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4:00AM, dark, clear and cool, the sleepy Bull Shoals boat dock waits for the flurry of Bassmaster Elite Series anglers to roll in and launch their boats for day two of the Bassmaster Elite on Bull Shoals!
4:00AM, dark, clear and cool, the sleepy Bull Shoals boat dock waits for the flurry of Bassmaster Elite Series anglers to roll in and launch their boats for day two of the Bassmaster Elite on Bull Shoals!
Volunteers at the ready, this is the calm before the take off storm.
Volunteers at the ready, this is the calm before the take off storm.
Keith Combs arrives first, driving like a blur through the early morning air.
Keith Combs arrives first, driving like a blur through the early morning air.
Meanwhile at a close by ramp, Brandon Lester has launched his boat and is heading up the hill to park his truck.
Meanwhile at a close by ramp, Brandon Lester has launched his boat and is heading up the hill to park his truck.
After a strong day one on Lake Norfork Randal Tharp launches his boat.
After a strong day one on Lake Norfork Randal Tharp launches his boat.
Currently sitting in second place Mark Menendez hops in the boat with Tharp and gets a water taxi ride out to his already floating boat.
Currently sitting in second place Mark Menendez hops in the boat with Tharp and gets a water taxi ride out to his already floating boat.
Back at the Bull Shoals main dock, ARE pro Adrian Avena prepares his rods for day two on the water.
Back at the Bull Shoals main dock, ARE pro Adrian Avena prepares his rods for day two on the water.
Strike King pro Mark Davis, illuminated by the full moon behind him, is all smiles about his strong day one performance.
Strike King pro Mark Davis, illuminated by the full moon behind him, is all smiles about his strong day one performance.
Tommy Biffle rolls down the ramp next and looks focused on his day two fishing plan.
Tommy Biffle rolls down the ramp next and looks focused on his day two fishing plan.
Crossed Industries pro Jay Brainard arrives to the ramp just as the pre dawn light peeks over the hill.
Crossed Industries pro Jay Brainard arrives to the ramp just as the pre dawn light peeks over the hill.
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More and more anglers line up to launch their boats and line up for the day two take off.
More and more anglers line up to launch their boats and line up for the day two take off.
We found Carhartt pro Matt Lee tied up down by the main dock and rigging up what he believed to be his ticket to fish on day three, the Strike King Shellcracker.
We found Carhartt pro Matt Lee tied up down by the main dock and rigging up what he believed to be his ticket to fish on day three, the Strike King Shellcracker.
Bassmaster MC Dave Mercer interviews General Tire pro Skeet Reese as the sun gets a bit higher, finally flooding the take off area with light.
Bassmaster MC Dave Mercer interviews General Tire pro Skeet Reese as the sun gets a bit higher, finally flooding the take off area with light.
Carl Jocumsen dials in his first fishing spot while waiting for blast off.
Carl Jocumsen dials in his first fishing spot while waiting for blast off.
Anglers, fans and B.A.S.S. staff circle the flag during the playing of the national anthem.
Anglers, fans and B.A.S.S. staff circle the flag during the playing of the national anthem.
Time to go! Skeet Reese pushes off the dock and heads out for day two on Bull Shoals.
Time to go! Skeet Reese pushes off the dock and heads out for day two on Bull Shoals.
St. Johns River Elite champion Rick Clunn confirms his check in time as he leaves the dock.
St. Johns River Elite champion Rick Clunn confirms his check in time as he leaves the dock.
Keith Combs follows Clunn.
Keith Combs follows Clunn.
Boat after boat, MC Dave Mercer calls each angler to the take off dock.
Boat after boat, MC Dave Mercer calls each angler to the take off dock.
Bass fishing legend Kevin VanDam cruises by as B.A.S.S. photographer Seigo Saito snaps a final picture.
Bass fishing legend Kevin VanDam cruises by as B.A.S.S. photographer Seigo Saito snaps a final picture.
Jerry McKinnis watches as Falcon pro Jason Christie heads out for day two.
Jerry McKinnis watches as Falcon pro Jason Christie heads out for day two.
With a full moon still overhead the final boats leave the Bull Shoals dock and head out to hopefully find that giant bag of fish that will take them into Championship Sunday!
With a full moon still overhead the final boats leave the Bull Shoals dock and head out to hopefully find that giant bag of fish that will take them into Championship Sunday!