Day 2 with Clausen and Co.

Posted on
I started Day 2 of the Bassmaster Elite at the Potomac River presented by Econo Lodge with first year Elite angler Luke Clausen who started the day in 3rd place after he caught 17-9 on Thursday.
I started Day 2 of the Bassmaster Elite at the Potomac River presented by Econo Lodge with first year Elite angler Luke Clausen who started the day in 3rd place after he caught 17-9 on Thursday.
Cliff Crochet and a few other anglers weren't far behind as they started in the same creek early on Day 2.
Cliff Crochet and a few other anglers weren’t far behind as they started in the same creek early on Day 2.
Clausen was looking to duplicate his Day 1 success and stay near the top.
Clausen was looking to duplicate his Day 1 success and stay near the top.
Clausen started fast and furiously on Day 1 as he boated a 5 pounder on his third cast, but because of the tidal changes everyday he didn't expect to get bit until an hour later.
Clausen started fast and furiously on Day 1 as he boated a 5 pounder on his third cast, but because of the tidal changes everyday he didn’t expect to get bit until an hour later.
Clausen had a couple sweet spots in his area, but for the most part he jumped around within his region and fished any available cover or depth.
Clausen had a couple sweet spots in his area, but for the most part he jumped around within his region and fished any available cover or depth.
An Amtrak train drives overhead early on Day 2 and honks its horn as it passes.
An Amtrak train drives overhead early on Day 2 and honks its horn as it passes.
Clausen looks for a reaction bite as he slings his bait in his area.
Clausen looks for a reaction bite as he slings his bait in his area.
Dennis Tietje makes his way in the creek and joins the four or five pros in this general area.
Dennis Tietje makes his way in the creek and joins the four or five pros in this general area.
About an hour into the day Clausen wondered what was going on, but hoped that the only delay was the tide change.
About an hour into the day Clausen wondered what was going on, but hoped that the only delay was the tide change.
As it nears the feeding window, Clausen flips at some shallow cover as he makes his rounds to his sweet spots.
As it nears the feeding window, Clausen flips at some shallow cover as he makes his rounds to his sweet spots.
The Potomac River is filled with Osprey's and this one had a small catfish in it's claws as it flew back to its nest.
The Potomac River is filled with Osprey’s and this one had a small catfish in it’s claws as it flew back to its nest.
After working reaction baits for most of the morning, Clausen tries to get it going with a spinning setup in those same areas.
After working reaction baits for most of the morning, Clausen tries to get it going with a spinning setup in those same areas.
Clausen had some catfish anglers near him the entire morning and they boated dozens of catfish including this one.
Clausen had some catfish anglers near him the entire morning and they boated dozens of catfish including this one.
He kept plugging away in search of his first bite though.
He kept plugging away in search of his first bite though.
And then in a matter of moments his day was changing for the better as he hooked up with a fish.
And then in a matter of moments his day was changing for the better as he hooked up with a fish.
The fish thrashed at the boat as Clausen played it out hoping to keep it hooked up.
The fish thrashed at the boat as Clausen played it out hoping to keep it hooked up.
He reaches for the fish, but misses and gets a hook stuck in his jersey instead.
He reaches for the fish, but misses and gets a hook stuck in his jersey instead.
But he stayed cool and focused on landing the fish.
But he stayed cool and focused on landing the fish.
His first keeper was a real solid fish.
His first keeper was a real solid fish.
He will certainly take 5 of those today.
He will certainly take 5 of those today.
Clausen deposits the 3 1/2 to 4 pounder in the livewell and looks for some more to join it.
Clausen deposits the 3 1/2 to 4 pounder in the livewell and looks for some more to join it.
A Marine helicopter flies overhead. There is a tremendous amount of air traffic on the Potomac because of the hustle and bustle of Washington D.C.
A Marine helicopter flies overhead. There is a tremendous amount of air traffic on the Potomac because of the hustle and bustle of Washington D.C.