Day 2 begins on Atchafalaya Basin

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A morning ritual begins as co-anglers wait for their boater partners to arrive at Jesse Fontenot Memorial Boat Landing.
A morning ritual begins as co-anglers wait for their boater partners to arrive at Jesse Fontenot Memorial Boat Landing.
At 6 a.m. the boaters begin arriving for Day 2 of the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Central Open.
At 6 a.m. the boaters begin arriving for Day 2 of the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Central Open.
The landing will get crowded by takeoff time that is scheduled for 7 a.m. local time.
The landing will get crowded by takeoff time that is scheduled for 7 a.m. local time.
This sign calls for using good manners while at the boat ramp. Food fights are prohibited.
This sign calls for using good manners while at the boat ramp. Food fights are prohibited.
The landing is near Berwick, a suburb of host town Morgan City, located in the heart of the Atchafalaya Basin.
The landing is near Berwick, a suburb of host town Morgan City, located in the heart of the Atchafalaya Basin.
There were 160-plus boats signed up for the final Central Open of the year. This tournament was originally scheduled for February, but local flooding caused the move to October.
There were 160-plus boats signed up for the final Central Open of the year. This tournament was originally scheduled for February, but local flooding caused the move to October.
Like most of the country this area is experiencing record high temperatures for October. That causes a light fog to settle over the take-off site.
Like most of the country this area is experiencing record high temperatures for October. That causes a light fog to settle over the take-off site.
The anglers all stand to honor America as the national anthem is played.
The anglers all stand to honor America as the national anthem is played.
It’s 7 a.m. and the first boats leave the dock for fishing spots. There are plenty. The Atchafalaya Basin spreads across 1 million acres of south Louisiana.
It’s 7 a.m. and the first boats leave the dock for fishing spots. There are plenty. The Atchafalaya Basin spreads across 1 million acres of south Louisiana.
These anglers wasted no time in finding their fishing spot. It’s along the jetty protecting the boat basin at the take-off location.
These anglers wasted no time in finding their fishing spot. It’s along the jetty protecting the boat basin at the take-off location.
After a slow start Alton Jones Jr. needs a good day to secure his berth in the 2017 Bassmaster Elite Series.
After a slow start Alton Jones Jr. needs a good day to secure his berth in the 2017 Bassmaster Elite Series.
Family and friends take advantage of the beautiful fall weather to record memories at the take-off.
Family and friends take advantage of the beautiful fall weather to record memories at the take-off.
B.A.S.S. officials sport the latest PFD fashions as the boats are lined up for take-off.
B.A.S.S. officials sport the latest PFD fashions as the boats are lined up for take-off.
Lots of power lined up here. The boats will need it for speeding across the basin to myriad fishing areas in the area.
Lots of power lined up here. The boats will need it for speeding across the basin to myriad fishing areas in the area.
GPS navigation is essential here. Much of the swamp looks the same with a maze of bayous and backwaters posing a challenge to find the way to fishing areas.
GPS navigation is essential here. Much of the swamp looks the same with a maze of bayous and backwaters posing a challenge to find the way to fishing areas.
This angler has a distinct advantage over everyone else. The Go-Devil powered aluminum skiff will run in just inches of water.
This angler has a distinct advantage over everyone else. The Go-Devil powered aluminum skiff will run in just inches of water.
Greg Hackney knows these waters well. He’s proving the point by currently ranking second in the tournament behind leader Fred Roumbanis.
Greg Hackney knows these waters well. He’s proving the point by currently ranking second in the tournament behind leader Fred Roumbanis.
The Go-Devil powered boat will go where no fiberglass rig can.
The Go-Devil powered boat will go where no fiberglass rig can.
The boats begin returning at 3 p.m. with the final flight due back at 5:15.
The boats begin returning at 3 p.m. with the final flight due back at 5:15.
Lots of commercial barge traffic travels the river, taking cargo into Morgan City from the Gulf of Mexico and points beyond.
Lots of commercial barge traffic travels the river, taking cargo into Morgan City from the Gulf of Mexico and points beyond.
Chris Zaldain takes photos of wife Trait as their dog Nebo takes in the morning.
Chris Zaldain takes photos of wife Trait as their dog Nebo takes in the morning.
Charlie Hartley will make his first appearance since 2008 at the 2017 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro.
Charlie Hartley will make his first appearance since 2008 at the 2017 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro.
The final boats leave the dock as friends and family record the moment.
The final boats leave the dock as friends and family record the moment.