Tales from the shores of Lake Toho

We pull the curtain back to show you a little of what goes on behind the scenes at the first Southern Open event of 2015.

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Big Toho Marina was the site of the Day 2 weigh-in of the Southern Open on Lake Toho.
Big Toho Marina was the site of the Day 2 weigh-in of the Southern Open on Lake Toho.
The first flight is in and the weigh-in is about to begin.
The first flight is in and the weigh-in is about to begin.
Every weigh-in is started with the singing of the National Anthem.
Every weigh-in is started with the singing of the National Anthem.
Gerald Swindle with one of the fish that qualified him for the top 12.
Gerald Swindle with one of the fish that qualified him for the top 12.
After Gerald Swindle weighed in over 19 pounds, he waved to fans and headed to his trailer.
After Gerald Swindle weighed in over 19 pounds, he waved to fans and headed to his trailer.
Greg Vinson with a good kicker to help his bag.
Greg Vinson with a good kicker to help his bag.
Cliff Crochet had a tough event, but his 2015 wrap is sick.
Cliff Crochet had a tough event, but his 2015 wrap is sick.
Day 1 leader Andrew Slegona talks on the phone about his day. He only had 2 fish, but it was enough to keep him finishing on the final day. He sits in fourth only four pounds behind.
Day 1 leader Andrew Slegona talks on the phone about his day. He only had 2 fish, but it was enough to keep him finishing on the final day. He sits in fourth only four pounds behind.
It’s a rare scene when no one is aboard a boat at a tournament weigh-in. The reason? Everyone is weighing fish.
It’s a rare scene when no one is aboard a boat at a tournament weigh-in. The reason? Everyone is weighing fish.
Bobby Lane answers questions after he sacked a big bag.
Bobby Lane answers questions after he sacked a big bag.
Anglers head to their trailers after weighing-in.
Anglers head to their trailers after weighing-in.
Stetson Blaylock talks about his day on the water and his favorite rod and reel setup.
Stetson Blaylock talks about his day on the water and his favorite rod and reel setup.
Rich Howes takes a moment to quench his thirst. Howes snagged a check this week on Toho.
Rich Howes takes a moment to quench his thirst. Howes snagged a check this week on Toho.
Chad Morgenthaler checks in.
Chad Morgenthaler checks in.
Anglers return their float markers so B.A.S.S. officials can ensure everyone is off the water safely.
Anglers return their float markers so B.A.S.S. officials can ensure everyone is off the water safely.
Cliff Crochet checks out after weighing-in.
Cliff Crochet checks out after weighing-in.
NO NETS ALLOWED...except for catching the float markers when anglers check in.
NO NETS ALLOWED…except for catching the float markers when anglers check in.
Rich Howes and Day 2 leader Brandon Mcmillan talk about their days on the water.
Rich Howes and Day 2 leader Brandon Mcmillan talk about their days on the water.
Randall Tharp is a Florida hammer, but he didn't have his best event this week on Toho.
Randall Tharp is a Florida hammer, but he didn’t have his best event this week on Toho.
North Carolina angler Jamey Caldwell caught a nice one...
North Carolina angler Jamey Caldwell caught a nice one…
...make that two nice ones!
…make that two nice ones!
Casey Ashley heads to the weigh-in line.
Casey Ashley heads to the weigh-in line.
Anglers chit chat about their day.
Anglers chit chat about their day.
Fishermen keep their catches in the oxygenated tanks before heading on stage.
Fishermen keep their catches in the oxygenated tanks before heading on stage.
Marty Robinson bags his fish.
Marty Robinson bags his fish.
Finally a sunny tournament day in Florida. Who would have thought it would take so long?
Finally a sunny tournament day in Florida. Who would have thought it would take so long?
Chad Morgenthaler shows off his good one.
Chad Morgenthaler shows off his good one.
So does Brandon Cobb.
So does Brandon Cobb.
Shane Linebarger brought a giant kicker to the scales.
Shane Linebarger brought a giant kicker to the scales.
Shin Fukae signs autographs for young fans.
Shin Fukae signs autographs for young fans.
James Watson enjoys a snack...or what he likes to call protein!
James Watson enjoys a snack…or what he likes to call protein!
Bobby Lane watches from the crowd. He sits in second place.
Bobby Lane watches from the crowd. He sits in second place.
Charlie Hartley rebounded with a big one on Day 2.
Charlie Hartley rebounded with a big one on Day 2.
Boats drive off into the sunset as only the Top 12 boaters and co-anglers will be fishing tomorrow.
Boats drive off into the sunset as only the Top 12 boaters and co-anglers will be fishing tomorrow.