Open: Day Three Launch

With a trophy catch on their minds, the Top 12 anglers make there way out into the James River on the last day of the first Northern Open.

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<p>Jim Dillard calls his co-angler to set up a meeting spot.</p>
Jim Dillard calls his co-angler to set up a meeting spot.
<p> </p> <p>Bassmaster writer Pete Robbins interviews a hooded Mike Iaconelli.</p>
 
Bassmaster writer Pete Robbins interviews a hooded Mike Iaconelli.
<p>Bass University founder Pete Gluszek pulls into the parking lot.</p>
Bass University founder Pete Gluszek pulls into the parking lot.
<p>Day One leader Wayne Vaughan hopes to make it three home-state winners in three years.</p>
Day One leader Wayne Vaughan hopes to make it three home-state winners in three years.
<p>Randy Howell’s glowing Triton proceeds toward the boat ramp. He hopes to hold onto his lead today and qualify for the 2014 Classic.</p>
Randy Howell’s glowing Triton proceeds toward the boat ramp. He hopes to hold onto his lead today and qualify for the 2014 Classic.
<p>Steve Colgin prepares his tackle for one last day of competition.</p>
Steve Colgin prepares his tackle for one last day of competition.
<p>Mike Iaconelli’s highly visible Toyota puts his Bass Cat into the James River.</p>
Mike Iaconelli’s highly visible Toyota puts his Bass Cat into the James River.
<p>The Osborne Landing facility was much less crowded this morning than on Days One and Two.</p>
The Osborne Landing facility was much less crowded this morning than on Days One and Two.
<p>Elite Series pro Brandon Palaniuk launches his Skeeter for one final day of competition.</p>
Elite Series pro Brandon Palaniuk launches his Skeeter for one final day of competition.
<p>Justin Lucas waits for blast off on the back deck of his boat.</p>
Justin Lucas waits for blast off on the back deck of his boat.
<p>Local angler Greg Cooper has made the top 12 in each of the last three Northern Opens held on the James River.</p>
Local angler Greg Cooper has made the top 12 in each of the last three Northern Opens held on the James River.
<p>Brandon Palaniuk’s boat has plenty of auxiliary lighting, but a running light malfunction delayed his start today.</p>
Brandon Palaniuk’s boat has plenty of auxiliary lighting, but a running light malfunction delayed his start today.
<p>Randy Howell and Mike Hicks faced their boats toward the main river.</p>
Randy Howell and Mike Hicks faced their boats toward the main river.
<p>Randy Howell makes last-minute adjustments that he hopes will help him close out the victory.</p>
Randy Howell makes last-minute adjustments that he hopes will help him close out the victory.
<p>Randy Howell salutes the flag during the playing of the National Anthem.</p>
Randy Howell salutes the flag during the playing of the National Anthem.
<p>The 2011 James River champion Mike Hicks heads out onto his home waters.</p>
The 2011 James River champion Mike Hicks heads out onto his home waters.
<p>The large amount of floating debris has kept the Tow Boat US busy this week.</p>
The large amount of floating debris has kept the Tow Boat US busy this week.
<p>As competitors idled out from the dock, most of them had a long run in store.</p>
As competitors idled out from the dock, most of them had a long run in store.