the ol ’ college spirit
M any readers of Bass Fishing magazine have experienced a takeoff of some sort out of Kissimmee ’ s Big Toho Marina , and most of you would likely agree that it ’ s hard to beat the sights and sounds of an early winter morning in Florida . There ’ s something even more special about a takeoff that ’ s heavily attended by the competitors ’ families and friends , which was the case in early January at the 2024 Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI National Championship .
Long before the Adrian College team of Braylon Eggerding and Lucas Washburn took home the National Championship , the Day 1 takeoff site at Big Toho was flooded with well-wishers from around the country , there to support more than 130 college teams ’ pursuits of a title . For those who haven ’ t experienced a tournament takeoff at Big Toho , the particular spot in the photo is at the end of a long walkway on the outskirts of the marina . On most tournament days , it ’ s the domain of couple of intrepid photographers . During the Natty , though , it became the embodiment of good ol ’ college spirit . Go teams !
PHOTO BY ROB MATSUURA
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