Day 2 on the Atchafalaya

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The sun rose over the cypress trees that litter the banks of the Atchafalaya Basin on Day 2 of the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Central Open as anglers fought for points and pounds to make the Top 12 cut for the final day.
The sun rose over the cypress trees that litter the banks of the Atchafalaya Basin on Day 2 of the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Central Open as anglers fought for points and pounds to make the Top 12 cut for the final day.
Vu Au was one of the first anglers I saw running down the intercostal waterway.
Vu Au was one of the first anglers I saw running down the intercostal waterway.
Another angler screams down the Basin and passes one of the many tug boats that go up and down the river.
Another angler screams down the Basin and passes one of the many tug boats that go up and down the river.
That angler was Derek Hudnall. He started Day 2 in 3rd place after a fantastic Thursday weight.
That angler was Derek Hudnall. He started Day 2 in 3rd place after a fantastic Thursday weight.
Hudnall is a local angler from the Baton Rouge area of Louisiana.
Hudnall is a local angler from the Baton Rouge area of Louisiana.
Hudnall had 16-2 on Day 1 and was only bested by Fred Roumbanis and Greg Hackney.
Hudnall had 16-2 on Day 1 and was only bested by Fred Roumbanis and Greg Hackney.
His Day 1 started off slow, but he had a key window from 9 to 11 a.m. that he did the majority of his heavy lifting.
His Day 1 started off slow, but he had a key window from 9 to 11 a.m. that he did the majority of his heavy lifting.
He hooked up with his first bite to start the morning.
He hooked up with his first bite to start the morning.
It wasn't a big fish at all, but he swung it in the boat and was hoping it was a keeper.
It wasn’t a big fish at all, but he swung it in the boat and was hoping it was a keeper.
He measured it and made the determination it did meet the 12 inch requirement. Hudnall was on the board with keeper number 1.
He measured it and made the determination it did meet the 12 inch requirement. Hudnall was on the board with keeper number 1.
He got back to work and quickly hooked up again.
He got back to work and quickly hooked up again.
This one was much smaller and he didn't think twice about throwing this one back.
This one was much smaller and he didn’t think twice about throwing this one back.
Early on Day 2, Hudnall mixed it up between topwater and flipping.
Early on Day 2, Hudnall mixed it up between topwater and flipping.
A stealthy alligator cruises across the canal.
A stealthy alligator cruises across the canal.
Meanwhile a bird looks for an easy meal as well.
Meanwhile a bird looks for an easy meal as well.
Hudnall pitches to a piece of cover.
Hudnall pitches to a piece of cover.
He returns with a small fish...
He returns with a small fish…
...then he contemplates if it is big enough and it is not so he throws it back.
…then he contemplates if it is big enough and it is not so he throws it back.
The conditions weren't ideal this morning according to Hudnall who said the tide was slowly rising and with little wind it would take even longer until it got good enough to load the boat.
The conditions weren’t ideal this morning according to Hudnall who said the tide was slowly rising and with little wind it would take even longer until it got good enough to load the boat.
He pulled up to a patch of reeds where he caught a 4+ pounder on Day 1 in hopes that his persistence would pay off early.
He pulled up to a patch of reeds where he caught a 4+ pounder on Day 1 in hopes that his persistence would pay off early.
It did not, but shortly after he did hook up with a fish.
It did not, but shortly after he did hook up with a fish.
He swings aboard a longer fish, but still skinny.
He swings aboard a longer fish, but still skinny.
No need to measure this one as he reaches for a cull clip to mark the fish.
No need to measure this one as he reaches for a cull clip to mark the fish.
Hudnall fishes down the bank, passing a tree with plenty of spiders to go around.
Hudnall fishes down the bank, passing a tree with plenty of spiders to go around.
When you come to an area like the Atchafalaya Basin you will certainly see a variety of boats and motors to get through the canals and marsh.
When you come to an area like the Atchafalaya Basin you will certainly see a variety of boats and motors to get through the canals and marsh.
I leave Hudnall with two early keepers in the box as he looked for more.
I leave Hudnall with two early keepers in the box as he looked for more.
This next area is filled with multiple spectators that were watching as I passed by.
This next area is filled with multiple spectators that were watching as I passed by.
Josh Tidenburg fished down the bank as I approached.
Josh Tidenburg fished down the bank as I approached.
He said he was struggling after a tough morning.
He said he was struggling after a tough morning.
I run down the Atchafalaya and find another angler fishing a picturesque area.
I run down the Atchafalaya and find another angler fishing a picturesque area.
Oklahoman Dustin Wrona was fishing around the diverse cover.
Oklahoman Dustin Wrona was fishing around the diverse cover.
Wrona's co-angler Michael Nantz hooks up.
Wrona’s co-angler Michael Nantz hooks up.
It was the first fish of the day for either angler.
It was the first fish of the day for either angler.
Wrona was throwing a swimbait around isolated clumps of grass.
Wrona was throwing a swimbait around isolated clumps of grass.
Wrona and Nantz take off in search of new water.
Wrona and Nantz take off in search of new water.
I left them and found another canal full of anglers.
I left them and found another canal full of anglers.
Phoenix Boats president Gary Clouse was one of those anglers fishing in the canal.
Phoenix Boats president Gary Clouse was one of those anglers fishing in the canal.
Clouse's co-angler Stephen Parnell was taking a quick break and was eating some chips.
Clouse’s co-angler Stephen Parnell was taking a quick break and was eating some chips.
Clouse had a great Day 1 with 12-12 and was in 17th place.
Clouse had a great Day 1 with 12-12 and was in 17th place.
Day 2 was tougher on Clouse so far as he had just 1 keeper.
Day 2 was tougher on Clouse so far as he had just 1 keeper.