Day 2: Estel takes on Red River

We tracked down 3rd place angler Luke Estel early on Day 2 of the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Central Open on the Red River and watched him pick apart his morning in hopes of punching his ticket to the final day Top 12.
We tracked down 3rd place angler Luke Estel early on Day 2 of the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Central Open on the Red River and watched him pick apart his morning in hopes of punching his ticket to the final day Top 12.
Estel nabbed 11 pounds, 2 ounces on Day 1 and was just 12 ounces behind the leader heading into Friday's action.
Estel nabbed 11 pounds, 2 ounces on Day 1 and was just 12 ounces behind the leader heading into Friday’s action.
The Red River is a hot bed for shallow stumpy water that sometimes gets an angler hung up.
The Red River is a hot bed for shallow stumpy water that sometimes gets an angler hung up.
So Estel used a push pole to dislodge himself from a stump as he made his way back to an area.
So Estel used a push pole to dislodge himself from a stump as he made his way back to an area.
While we are in a shielded backwater, I could still see anglers making their way down river after takeoff.
While we are in a shielded backwater, I could still see anglers making their way down river after takeoff.
Estel intended to fish the left side of the backwater area first, but a gut feeling made him cast to the other side of the boat.
Estel intended to fish the left side of the backwater area first, but a gut feeling made him cast to the other side of the boat.
It yielded a swift hooks and landing for his first fish of the day.
It yielded a swift hooks and landing for his first fish of the day.
That was a nice bonus according to Estel. Sometimes an angler's gut feeling leads them to extra fish they maybe wouldn't have caught otherwise.
That was a nice bonus according to Estel. Sometimes an angler’s gut feeling leads them to extra fish they maybe wouldn’t have caught otherwise.
The Illinois angler continued to pick apart the area.
The Illinois angler continued to pick apart the area.
Then he switched to what he called his magic tree.
Then he switched to what he called his magic tree. “I caught three quality fish out of these trees in a matter of 5 minutes [on Day 1],” Estel said.
The area wasn't for the faint of heart as the stump ridden area wasn't easily navigable.
The area wasn’t for the faint of heart as the stump ridden area wasn’t easily navigable.
Co-angler Tim Rath nabbed a short fish from the back of the boat, but it wasn't a keeper.
Co-angler Tim Rath nabbed a short fish from the back of the boat, but it wasn’t a keeper.
Estel takes a moment to grab some Mountain Dew.
Estel takes a moment to grab some Mountain Dew.
He continued to flip and pitch around the stumpy area.
He continued to flip and pitch around the stumpy area.
The Red River offers a great eco system for fishing as well as birds and other animals.
The Red River offers a great eco system for fishing as well as birds and other animals.
Estel sets the hook and battles keeper number two towards his Skeeter.
Estel sets the hook and battles keeper number two towards his Skeeter.
It was a good one! Especially for how tough the Red River has been this week.
It was a good one! Especially for how tough the Red River has been this week.
Boom! Estel celebrates and gives a big fist pump.
Boom! Estel celebrates and gives a big fist pump.
A 4+ pounder will help an angler big time this week.
A 4+ pounder will help an angler big time this week.
He continued to probe the shallow area for any fish that were around.
He continued to probe the shallow area for any fish that were around.
Rath took a moment to retie his bait.
Rath took a moment to retie his bait.
Meanwhile Estel had set the hook and quickly boated another keeper. This one smaller than the rest, but number three nonetheless.
Meanwhile Estel had set the hook and quickly boated another keeper. This one smaller than the rest, but number three nonetheless.
Then I saw the biggest predator of them all as a gator slides through Estel's area. He explained that's why he calls this spot the
Then I saw the biggest predator of them all as a gator slides through Estel’s area. He explained that’s why he calls this spot the “Gator Hole” this week.
Just a few casts later he hooked another fish.
Just a few casts later he hooked another fish.
This one was much smaller and didn't keep.
This one was much smaller and didn’t keep.
Estel stayed patient on Day 2 and said he would stay in this backwater pond all day just because there was no purpose in holding back. The goal is to make the Top 12 so he can have a shot at the win on Saturday.
Estel stayed patient on Day 2 and said he would stay in this backwater pond all day just because there was no purpose in holding back. The goal is to make the Top 12 so he can have a shot at the win on Saturday.
We left 3rd place Luke Estel in search of other contenders and he had three fish for 7 to 8 pounds in the boat. Another couple pounds and he may have one more day to fish the Red River.
We left 3rd place Luke Estel in search of other contenders and he had three fish for 7 to 8 pounds in the boat. Another couple pounds and he may have one more day to fish the Red River.