Day 2 on Lake Erie with Derek Remitz

We head out on Lake Erie on Day 2 to find Day 1 runner-up Derek Remitz as he chases a Bassmaster Classic berth in the 2015 Bass Pro Shops Northern Open presented by Allstate.

We head out on Lake Erie on Day 2 to find Day 1 runner-up Derek Remitz as he chases a Bassmaster Classic berth in the 2015 Bass Pro Shops Northern Open presented by Allstate. Erie looks calm at the start...
We head out on Lake Erie on Day 2 to find Day 1 runner-up Derek Remitz as he chases a Bassmaster Classic berth in the 2015 Bass Pro Shops Northern Open presented by Allstate. Erie looks calm at the start…
... but it's far from calm as is evident from the anglers headed this way.
… but it’s far from calm as is evident from the anglers headed this way.
Some fun boat rides this morning.
Some fun boat rides this morning.
We catch up with Derek Remitz who starts alongside Jt Kenney.
We catch up with Derek Remitz who starts alongside Jt Kenney.
The waves are already rolling here on Day 2.
The waves are already rolling here on Day 2.
Remitz has his eye on a win and the 2016 Bassmaster Classic berth. Jt Kenney is eyeing a 2016 Elite Series qualification.
Remitz has his eye on a win and the 2016 Bassmaster Classic berth. Jt Kenney is eyeing a 2016 Elite Series qualification.
Remitz fishes along a shoal...
Remitz fishes along a shoal…
bobbing up and down in the water.
bobbing up and down in the water.
The waves are still rolling from the wind from last night and the breeze this morning indicates they'll likely roll all day.
The waves are still rolling from the wind from last night and the breeze this morning indicates they’ll likely roll all day.
Remitz moves back up the shoal with his big motor.
Remitz moves back up the shoal with his big motor.
After Remitz moves up the shoal...
After Remitz moves up the shoal…
he drifts with the wind, dragging his dropshot along the bottom.
he drifts with the wind, dragging his dropshot along the bottom.
The waves are pretty tall at this point.
The waves are pretty tall at this point.
Jt Kenney moves back up the shoal as well...
Jt Kenney moves back up the shoal as well…
preparing to make another drift.
preparing to make another drift.
There's no chance of rain today, but the weather definitely calls for rain gear.
There’s no chance of rain today, but the weather definitely calls for rain gear.
Kenney begins again.
Kenney begins again.
The waves rock both Kenney and Remitz...
The waves rock both Kenney and Remitz…
as both anglers try to focus on their electronics.
as both anglers try to focus on their electronics.
Remitz fires a cast out...
Remitz fires a cast out…
breaking up the monotony of the typical 'flip the bail and pitch' routine.
breaking up the monotony of the typical ‘flip the bail and pitch’ routine.
The wind makes fishing a challenge.
The wind makes fishing a challenge.
Time to head back up the shoal to start another drift...
Time to head back up the shoal to start another drift…
but not before plowing through wave...
but not before plowing through wave…
after wave.
after wave.
Remitz resets...
Remitz resets…
as the waves keep coming.
as the waves keep coming.
At times it's hard to tell who's in whose boat.
At times it’s hard to tell who’s in whose boat.
After a slow grind for the first two hours without a bite...
After a slow grind for the first two hours without a bite…
Remitz finally hooks up.
Remitz finally hooks up.
Having only had 5 bites on Day 1 for 24-4, there's a good chance this is a big one.
Having only had 5 bites on Day 1 for 24-4, there’s a good chance this is a big one.
A 4-1/2-pound smallmouth leaves the water...
A 4-1/2-pound smallmouth leaves the water…
as Remitz gets into position.
as Remitz gets into position.
Then suddenly the hook loses it's grip on the fish and Remitz can only watch as a giant Erie smallmouth returns to the bottom.
Then suddenly the hook loses it’s grip on the fish and Remitz can only watch as a giant Erie smallmouth returns to the bottom.
No time to cry over spilt milk, back to work.
No time to cry over spilt milk, back to work.
After Remitz went scoreless for another half hour or so, he moved a few hundred yards up the shoal and hooked up quickly.
After Remitz went scoreless for another half hour or so, he moved a few hundred yards up the shoal and hooked up quickly.
Remitz hopes for a better result than last time.
Remitz hopes for a better result than last time.
This one isn't as big...
This one isn’t as big…
but it's a fish in the hand.
but it’s a fish in the hand.
Back to fighting the trolling motor.
Back to fighting the trolling motor.
Another big wave comes by...
Another big wave comes by…
and this one surprises Remitz.
and this one surprises Remitz.
The trolling motor leaves the water...
The trolling motor leaves the water…
and then Remitz hooks up.
and then Remitz hooks up.
When fighting a smallmouth, it's important to keep your rod in hand...
When fighting a smallmouth, it’s important to keep your rod in hand…
no matter what the smallmouth tries to do.
no matter what the smallmouth tries to do.
Remitz hugs a 4-pound smallie into the boat.
Remitz hugs a 4-pound smallie into the boat.
This is the kind Remitz needs.
This is the kind Remitz needs.
Another wave crashes and another pitch goes out.
Another wave crashes and another pitch goes out.
Remitz is locked in on the graph at this point.
Remitz is locked in on the graph at this point.
After idling back up to the head of the shoal, Remitz hooks up again.
After idling back up to the head of the shoal, Remitz hooks up again.
Another battle occurs just out of sight...
Another battle occurs just out of sight…
and Remitz wins again.
and Remitz wins again.
Another chunky smallmouth.
Another chunky smallmouth.
A few drops later...
A few drops later…
another fight...
another fight…
another stud.
another stud.
The bass are getting bigger...
The bass are getting bigger…
but this one looks a little too good to be true.
but this one looks a little too good to be true.
Remitz finds a drum on the other end of the line this time.
Remitz finds a drum on the other end of the line this time.
But on his next drop...
But on his next drop…
Remitz hooks into another big smallmouth.
Remitz hooks into another big smallmouth.
As the fish wears down...
As the fish wears down…
Remitz eases her towards the boat.
Remitz eases her towards the boat.
A little cradle...
A little cradle…
and then it's time for the lift.
and then it’s time for the lift.
...
...
Business is picking up for Remitz.
Business is picking up for Remitz.
Jt Kenney eases in...
Jt Kenney eases in…
and he and Remitz compare notes.
and he and Remitz compare notes.
After Kenney points out that he is still fishless...
After Kenney points out that he is still fishless…
Remitz waves him ahead so that Kenney can try to catch a few.
Remitz waves him ahead so that Kenney can try to catch a few.
Remitz's co-angler Mandel Pettus hooks up.
Remitz’s co-angler Mandel Pettus hooks up.
So far this morning it's been all Remitz...
So far this morning it’s been all Remitz…
Time to see what Pettus can do.
Time to see what Pettus can do.
Almost there.
Almost there.
Pettus grabs for the fishes lips...
Pettus grabs for the fishes lips…
then a wave comes and takes the fish under again.
then a wave comes and takes the fish under again.
Pettus grabs the line and reaches for the fish...
Pettus grabs the line and reaches for the fish…
then the fish flops one hard time....
then the fish flops one hard time….
slipping back into the water...
slipping back into the water…
and breaking his line.
and breaking his line.
A last ditch grab at the fish...
A last ditch grab at the fish…
but Pettus only comes up with a wet arm...
but Pettus only comes up with a wet arm…
and a horror story to tell.
and a horror story to tell.
That's one that will haunt an angler...
That’s one that will haunt an angler…
Remitz can't even watch as he reties and readies for another opportunity.
Remitz can’t even watch as he reties and readies for another opportunity.
That's an image that will stick with Pettus for a while.
That’s an image that will stick with Pettus for a while.