2009 Bassmaster Classic: Practice Day, On the Water

In this photo gallery, you'll find on-the-water images from Practice Day for the 2009 Bassmaster Classic on the Red River, near Shreveport, Louisiana.

Steve Kennedy was one of the few anglers who opted for an aluminum boat to help access shallow areas along the Red River.
Steve Kennedy was one of the few anglers who opted for an aluminum boat to help access shallow areas along the Red River.
Kevin Wirth practices for his 10th Classic appearance.
Kevin Wirth practices for his 10th Classic appearance.
Steve Kennedy comes to an area he doesn't know if he should enter.
Steve Kennedy comes to an area he doesn’t know if he should enter.
Steve Kennedy and his co-angler take a picture of an area that Kennedy wants to show tournament officials to determine if the area is off-limits.
Steve Kennedy and his co-angler take a picture of an area that Kennedy wants to show tournament officials to determine if the area is off-limits.
Regardless of having a boat that will run shallower than a standard tournament boat, Kennedy still managed to run his boat aground.
Regardless of having a boat that will run shallower than a standard tournament boat, Kennedy still managed to run his boat aground.
Kennedy breaks out a push pole to try and dislodge his boat.
Kennedy breaks out a push pole to try and dislodge his boat.
Kennedy is now up the river without a push pole.
Kennedy is now up the river without a push pole.
Kevin Wirth makes a move early on the final practice day.
Kevin Wirth makes a move early on the final practice day.
Kelly Jordon pulls his trolling motor prop from the mud while trying to move away from a shallow bank.
Kelly Jordon pulls his trolling motor prop from the mud while trying to move away from a shallow bank.
Jordon casts a shallow running crankbait.
Jordon casts a shallow running crankbait.
Kelly Jordon hooks up with this first fish of the day, but shook it off.
Kelly Jordon hooks up with this first fish of the day, but shook it off.
Kelly Jordon is fishing his 7th Bassmaster Classic.
Kelly Jordon is fishing his 7th Bassmaster Classic.
Kevin VanDam had Mark Zona as his observer on the final day of practice.
Kevin VanDam had Mark Zona as his observer on the final day of practice.
Zona was full-time observer, part-time photographer.
Zona was full-time observer, part-time photographer.
Kevin VanDam is two-time Classic winner and is fishing his 19th Bassmaster Classic.
Kevin VanDam is two-time Classic winner and is fishing his 19th Bassmaster Classic.
Peter Thliveros idles between an opening in a rock jetty to access one of the backwater areas along the Red River.
Peter Thliveros idles between an opening in a rock jetty to access one of the backwater areas along the Red River.
Bryan Hudgins reaches into the water in an attempt to retrieve a crankbait that is hung on a stump.
Bryan Hudgins reaches into the water in an attempt to retrieve a crankbait that is hung on a stump.
Hudgins spent his day of practice fishing barefooted.
Hudgins spent his day of practice fishing barefooted.
Hudgins moves to another area before his practice day ends.
Hudgins moves to another area before his practice day ends.
Like many anglers in the field, Ish Monroe looks for fish in backwater, well away from the main channel of the Red River.
Like many anglers in the field, Ish Monroe looks for fish in backwater, well away from the main channel of the Red River.
Missouri's Brian Snowden is making his 4th Classic appearance.
Missouri’s Brian Snowden is making his 4th Classic appearance.
Mike Iaconelli is hoping to win his second Bassmaster Classic in the state of Louisiana. Iaconelli won the 2003 Classic in New Orleans.
Mike Iaconelli is hoping to win his second Bassmaster Classic in the state of Louisiana. Iaconelli won the 2003 Classic in New Orleans.
Iaconelli weaves his way through the shallow water and stumps that are typical of the fishing areas along the Red River.
Iaconelli weaves his way through the shallow water and stumps that are typical of the fishing areas along the Red River.
Casey Ashley pitches a drop bait near a duck blind, late in the afternoon on the final day of practice before the 2009 Bassmaster Classic begins on Friday.
Casey Ashley pitches a drop bait near a duck blind, late in the afternoon on the final day of practice before the 2009 Bassmaster Classic begins on Friday.
Todd Faircloth qualified for the 2009 Bassmaster Classic by finishing 2nd in the 2008 Angler of the Year points standings.
Todd Faircloth qualified for the 2009 Bassmaster Classic by finishing 2nd in the 2008 Angler of the Year points standings.
A B-52 bomber from nearby Barksdale Air Force Base, flies over the Red River during Wednesday's final practice.
A B-52 bomber from nearby Barksdale Air Force Base, flies over the Red River during Wednesday’s final practice.
Spectators begin to gather near the boat ramp as anglers return to Red River South Marina.
Spectators begin to gather near the boat ramp as anglers return to Red River South Marina.
While being pulled up the boat ramp, Dean Rojas begins to immediately work on his fishing tackle in preparation for Day One of the 2009 Bassmaster Classic.
While being pulled up the boat ramp, Dean Rojas begins to immediately work on his fishing tackle in preparation for Day One of the 2009 Bassmaster Classic.
BASS Tournament Manager, John Stewart, checks the anglers list to make sure every boat has returned safely to the launch area.
BASS Tournament Manager, John Stewart, checks the anglers list to make sure every boat has returned safely to the launch area.
Kevin VanDam motions to his truck driver while loading his boat at the end of the day.
Kevin VanDam motions to his truck driver while loading his boat at the end of the day.
Maintenance crews check over all the anglers' boats at the end of the day, to be sure they are ready for Friday's first day of competition.
Maintenance crews check over all the anglers’ boats at the end of the day, to be sure they are ready for Friday’s first day of competition.
Bill Lowen grew up fishing river systems in his home state of Ohio, and is a favorite of many of the pundits to do well on the Red River.
Bill Lowen grew up fishing river systems in his home state of Ohio, and is a favorite of many of the pundits to do well on the Red River.
2008 Bassmaster Rookie of the Year, Bobby Lane, is fishing his 2nd Bassmaster Classic. Lane finished 4th in the 2008 Classic.
2008 Bassmaster Rookie of the Year, Bobby Lane, is fishing his 2nd Bassmaster Classic. Lane finished 4th in the 2008 Classic.