Day 3 on Norman

We head out on Lake Norman to chase down the leaders of the 2015 Carhartt College Eastern Regional presented by Bass Pro Shops.

Posted on
We head out on the water to chase down the leaders of the 2015 Carhartt College Eastern Regional on Lake Norman presented by Bass Pro Shops.
We head out on the water to chase down the leaders of the 2015 Carhartt College Eastern Regional on Lake Norman presented by Bass Pro Shops.
The air temps are in the 30s, but that's not stopping some from enjoying their weekend.
The air temps are in the 30s, but that’s not stopping some from enjoying their weekend.
Kelly Johnson and Jeremy Gilley of Appalachian State University start the final day in first.
Kelly Johnson and Jeremy Gilley of Appalachian State University start the final day in first.
The cameras are rolling.
The cameras are rolling.
Kelly Johnson slings a ChatterBait out.
Kelly Johnson slings a ChatterBait out.
Jeremy Gilley works his way around a dock.
Jeremy Gilley works his way around a dock.
Gilley slings a spinnerbait, one of their more productive baits up shallow.
Gilley slings a spinnerbait, one of their more productive baits up shallow.
Johnson heaves a ChatterBait, one of their other go to baits up shallow this week.
Johnson heaves a ChatterBait, one of their other go to baits up shallow this week.
After a cold night last night dipping down into the 30s.
After a cold night last night dipping down into the 30s.
The shallow bite is a little slow...
The shallow bite is a little slow…
and we're mostly just seeing a lot of casting and retrieving this morning.
and we’re mostly just seeing a lot of casting and retrieving this morning.
Johnson sends another cast out.
Johnson sends another cast out.
Lilley follows suit.
Lilley follows suit.
Another cast goes out.
Another cast goes out.
The spinnerbait, ChatterBait combo isn't turning up much so far.
The spinnerbait, ChatterBait combo isn’t turning up much so far.
But Appalachian State sticks with it, knowing that one big largemouth could make all the difference.
But Appalachian State sticks with it, knowing that one big largemouth could make all the difference.
If you're putting the bait where it needs to be, every now and then you're bound to get hung up.
If you’re putting the bait where it needs to be, every now and then you’re bound to get hung up.
Spring was in full swing before this nasty front hit.
Spring was in full swing before this nasty front hit.
Time to make a move.
Time to make a move.
Johnson swaps to a shakyhead.
Johnson swaps to a shakyhead.
Gilley opts for a jerkbait.
Gilley opts for a jerkbait.
It's cold this morning and Johnson does all he can to keep the wind off his face.
It’s cold this morning and Johnson does all he can to keep the wind off his face.
There's one.
There’s one.
The fish fights to break free.
The fish fights to break free.
Almost to the net.
Almost to the net.
Johnson stretches out with the net.
Johnson stretches out with the net.
Got it.
Got it.
Gilley puts the fish on the board...
Gilley puts the fish on the board…
Keeper No. 1 heads toward the box.
Keeper No. 1 heads toward the box.
The wind is still whipping, evident from the flags in the background.
The wind is still whipping, evident from the flags in the background.
Johnson swaps to the jerkbait as well.
Johnson swaps to the jerkbait as well.
Back to chunking...
Back to chunking…
and winding for now.
and winding for now.
We move over to the team who started the day in second place, Austin Neary and Alex Frazier of Western Carolina University
We move over to the team who started the day in second place, Austin Neary and Alex Frazier of Western Carolina University
Neary keeps the sun out of his eyes while scanning the bank for spawners.
Neary keeps the sun out of his eyes while scanning the bank for spawners.
Neary spots a spawner and slings his bait to the bed.
Neary spots a spawner and slings his bait to the bed.
Frazier works a jerkbait, having already caught a couple this morning.
Frazier works a jerkbait, having already caught a couple this morning.
Frazier rips the jerkbait.
Frazier rips the jerkbait.
The Rusty Rudder is mighty tempting right now.
The Rusty Rudder is mighty tempting right now.
Neary works a nearby dock nearby with a dropshot.
Neary works a nearby dock nearby with a dropshot.
Neary sends the dropshot back out.
Neary sends the dropshot back out.
A burger at the Rusty Rudder sounds pretty good right now. Maybe I could shoot this gallery from the deck. Something to think about.
A burger at the Rusty Rudder sounds pretty good right now. Maybe I could shoot this gallery from the deck. Something to think about.
Nope, time to make a move.
Nope, time to make a move.
Western Carolina University eases around the docks.
Western Carolina University eases around the docks.
Lots of docks and boats around here.
Lots of docks and boats around here.
As Neary eases up to a bed, Frazier meets him on the front deck with the net just incase the fish is ready to eat this time.
As Neary eases up to a bed, Frazier meets him on the front deck with the net just incase the fish is ready to eat this time.
Neary spots the spawner...
Neary spots the spawner…
and swaps...
and swaps…
to a wacky rig.
to a wacky rig.
Neary sends a cast out...
Neary sends a cast out…
and hooks up.
and hooks up.
Almost to the net.
Almost to the net.
Looks like this one might be a male.
Looks like this one might be a male.
Neary and Frazier inspect the fish in the net.
Neary and Frazier inspect the fish in the net.
Upon further inspection...
Upon further inspection…
Neary decides this one isn't going to help the cause...
Neary decides this one isn’t going to help the cause…
and sends it swimming.
and sends it swimming.
Neary points out their next stop.
Neary points out their next stop.
The area where Western Carolina is fishing is loaded with boulders. The bass are spawning on top of the boulders.
The area where Western Carolina is fishing is loaded with boulders. The bass are spawning on top of the boulders.
Western Carolina works around another dock...
Western Carolina works around another dock…
and Frazier sends a cast out.
and Frazier sends a cast out.
This spinnerbait also put a few fish in the boat earlier today.
This spinnerbait also put a few fish in the boat earlier today.
Neary and Frazier ease up on another fish they found spawning earlier.
Neary and Frazier ease up on another fish they found spawning earlier.
Frazier gets the boat into position.
Frazier gets the boat into position.
Together...
Together…
Neary and Frazier work to not use the trolling motor.
Neary and Frazier work to not use the trolling motor.
This bed held a 4-pounder on Day 1.
This bed held a 4-pounder on Day 1.
Neary and Frazier make their way into this spot.
Neary and Frazier make their way into this spot.
Neary holds the boat steady while searching the shallow water.
Neary holds the boat steady while searching the shallow water.
The water is very clear here.
The water is very clear here.
With no luck, Western Carolina spins the boat around...
With no luck, Western Carolina spins the boat around…
and exits keeping an eye peeled for any spawners they might have missed.
and exits keeping an eye peeled for any spawners they might have missed.
A bag of spots so far, as Neary and Frazier work to cull with a spawner.
A bag of spots so far, as Neary and Frazier work to cull with a spawner.
Neary and Frazier make their way to another bed.
Neary and Frazier make their way to another bed.
Both Frazier...
Both Frazier…
and Neary peer into the water.
and Neary peer into the water.
Found one.
Found one.
The GoPros are rolling.
The GoPros are rolling.
A nice largemouth on bed.
A nice largemouth on bed.
But knowing where they are, doesn't mean you can catch them as this finicky female proves time and time again throughout the day.
But knowing where they are, doesn’t mean you can catch them as this finicky female proves time and time again throughout the day.