2009 Southern Open #2: Day Two, On The Water

In this photo gallery, you'll find on-the-water images from Day Two of the 2009 Southern Open #2 on Wheeler Lake, near Decatur, Alabama.

Day Two begins with a thunderstorm greeting the anglers at Ingall's Harbor. Lightning and hail postponed the launch until the fast moving storm blew through Decatur, Alabama.
Day Two begins with a thunderstorm greeting the anglers at Ingall’s Harbor. Lightning and hail postponed the launch until the fast moving storm blew through Decatur, Alabama.
The launch was pushed back to 6:30 a.m. until it was safe for the competitors to take to Wheeler Lake.
The launch was pushed back to 6:30 a.m. until it was safe for the competitors to take to Wheeler Lake.
Their were only short intermittent breaks in the rain as small weather systems moved through the Wheeler Lake area.
Their were only short intermittent breaks in the rain as small weather systems moved through the Wheeler Lake area.
The first flight leaves Ingall's Harbor for the start of Day Two of the Southern Open #2 presented by Oakley.
The first flight leaves Ingall’s Harbor for the start of Day Two of the Southern Open #2 presented by Oakley.
Very few fans braved the early morning storms and waited for the start of Day Two.
Very few fans braved the early morning storms and waited for the start of Day Two.
Mother Nature again unleashed bouts of rain on the anglers before the 174 boats could be launched out onto Wheeler Lake.
Mother Nature again unleashed bouts of rain on the anglers before the 174 boats could be launched out onto Wheeler Lake.
Due to the delay at the launch ramp early on Day Two, later flights were still putting in at the ramp as the other anglers went through the official launch process.
Due to the delay at the launch ramp early on Day Two, later flights were still putting in at the ramp as the other anglers went through the official launch process.
Light rain continued to fall as the final boats made their way through the BASS inspection process to launch onto Wheeler Lake.
Light rain continued to fall as the final boats made their way through the BASS inspection process to launch onto Wheeler Lake.
During a break in the rain, Steve Wisdom and his co-angler double up on smaller
During a break in the rain, Steve Wisdom and his co-angler double up on smaller “buck” bass.
Pro Butch Tucker zips up against the rain as it breaks loose once again on the anglers on Wheeler Lake.
Pro Butch Tucker zips up against the rain as it breaks loose once again on the anglers on Wheeler Lake.
Butch Tucker and his co-angler flank the Triton boat as they target bass in a shallow pocket.
Butch Tucker and his co-angler flank the Triton boat as they target bass in a shallow pocket.
Elite Series Rookie J. Todd Tucker and his co-angler work a shallow bank as the rain continues to fall.
Elite Series Rookie J. Todd Tucker and his co-angler work a shallow bank as the rain continues to fall.
Elite Rookie J. Todd Tucker makes adjustments to his lure as he is pelted with rain.
Elite Rookie J. Todd Tucker makes adjustments to his lure as he is pelted with rain.
Plenty of bass were taking the bait despite what the anglers faced above the water.
Plenty of bass were taking the bait despite what the anglers faced above the water.