Team Championship: Day 1 begins

See photos from the launch of the 197-boat field for the 2015 Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship.

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Day 1 of the Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship on Lake Guntersville starts early on Wednesday morning as boats file into the State Park boat ramp. With 197 boats officially competing in this event, anglers made sure to get to the ramp early to avoid a traffic jam of chaos.
Day 1 of the Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship on Lake Guntersville starts early on Wednesday morning as boats file into the State Park boat ramp. With 197 boats officially competing in this event, anglers made sure to get to the ramp early to avoid a traffic jam of chaos.
After two days of competition a single team will be named the Champions of this event, while the top three teams will move on to the individual portion on Friday and Saturday.
After two days of competition a single team will be named the Champions of this event, while the top three teams will move on to the individual portion on Friday and Saturday.
As a fisherman who used to have flames on my outboard, I can dig these anglers with flames on their Mercury.
As a fisherman who used to have flames on my outboard, I can dig these anglers with flames on their Mercury.
This team rolls into the boat ramp with their LED lights glowing under their boat. Any source of light early in the morning is very helpful for anglers and photographers alike.
This team rolls into the boat ramp with their LED lights glowing under their boat. Any source of light early in the morning is very helpful for anglers and photographers alike.
A familiar face arrives at the ramp. Coby Carden has back-to-back Bassmaster Classic appearances and hopes to make it to Tulsa by the end of this event. I'd say the Alabama angler and his teammate, Chris Rutland, have a pretty good chance as they compete in their home state.
A familiar face arrives at the ramp. Coby Carden has back-to-back Bassmaster Classic appearances and hopes to make it to Tulsa by the end of this event. I’d say the Alabama angler and his teammate, Chris Rutland, have a pretty good chance as they compete in their home state.
Virginia anglers Chris Lucas (left) and Tom Campagna (right) are one of the teams representing the Anglers Choice division in their region.
Virginia anglers Chris Lucas (left) and Tom Campagna (right) are one of the teams representing the Anglers Choice division in their region.
Boats begin to settle in at the takeoff dock...
Boats begin to settle in at the takeoff dock…
...while some anglers take care of some last-minute tackle adjustment before blastoff begins.
…while some anglers take care of some last-minute tackle adjustment before blastoff begins.
Teams line up as we are only a few minutes from blastoff.
Teams line up as we are only a few minutes from blastoff.
Less than eight minutes until the 6:30 launch. The first flight of anglers is slated to return back at 2:30 p.m. CT.
Less than eight minutes until the 6:30 launch. The first flight of anglers is slated to return back at 2:30 p.m. CT.
In boat number two are Jeremy Beatty and Clint Benbow, one of the North Carolina teams in this event this week. Benbow fished for NC State University and competed in B.A.S.S. events through the college division. Behind them, boat three also features two former college anglers, Tyler Beam and Eric Self from UNC Charlotte.
In boat number two are Jeremy Beatty and Clint Benbow, one of the North Carolina teams in this event this week. Benbow fished for NC State University and competed in B.A.S.S. events through the college division. Behind them, boat three also features two former college anglers, Tyler Beam and Eric Self from UNC Charlotte.
The national anthem plays and anglers are attentive to the American flag.
The national anthem plays and anglers are attentive to the American flag.
And they're off. Flanagan Fife and Royce Davis, the defending champions of this event, lead off the field on Day 1.
And they’re off. Flanagan Fife and Royce Davis, the defending champions of this event, lead off the field on Day 1.
Quite a few boat number floats will be passed out this week.
Quite a few boat number floats will be passed out this week.
Kay Donaldson with the Alabama Bass Trail shoots some video of the blastoff festivities.
Kay Donaldson with the Alabama Bass Trail shoots some video of the blastoff festivities.
Rogne Brown (left), a legend on Lake Chickamauga, and his teammate, Cary Dotson, are one of the Tennessee teams competing this week.
Rogne Brown (left), a legend on Lake Chickamauga, and his teammate, Cary Dotson, are one of the Tennessee teams competing this week.
Alabama anglers Jimmy Mason (left) and Lance Walker (right) are one of the many Alabama teams here this week. With extensive knowledge of Guntersville, I would bet they have plenty of places to fish this week.
Alabama anglers Jimmy Mason (left) and Lance Walker (right) are one of the many Alabama teams here this week. With extensive knowledge of Guntersville, I would bet they have plenty of places to fish this week.
A fan/family member looks on as the blastoff happens. One person's life will be impacted this week.
A fan/family member looks on as the blastoff happens. One person’s life will be impacted this week.
Tournament director Jon Stewart calls out teams as they head through the line.
Tournament director Jon Stewart calls out teams as they head through the line.
I head back up to the Lake Guntersville Lodge and check out the mass of boats waiting to get their day started.
I head back up to the Lake Guntersville Lodge and check out the mass of boats waiting to get their day started.
Boats head out as fast as they can to their first starting spot of the morning.
Boats head out as fast as they can to their first starting spot of the morning.
Lake Guntersville shouldn't disappoint anglers this week, and one team will stand above them all soon enough. Stay tuned in to the action daily on Bassmaster.com through the blogs, stories and photos from this event.
Lake Guntersville shouldn’t disappoint anglers this week, and one team will stand above them all soon enough. Stay tuned in to the action daily on Bassmaster.com through the blogs, stories and photos from this event.