Day 2 with Ashley

Local favorite Casey Ashley gets off to a solid start on the second morning of the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro.

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Local favorite Casey Ashley gets off to a solid start on Day 2 of the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro.
Local favorite Casey Ashley gets off to a solid start on Day 2 of the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro.
The water may be down, but the temperatures are rising on Hartwell. The morning greeted anglers with 29 degree temps at blast off, nearly triple what the temps were yesterday.
The water may be down, but the temperatures are rising on Hartwell. The morning greeted anglers with 29 degree temps at blast off, nearly triple what the temps were yesterday.
Camera crew gets into position.
Camera crew gets into position.
Ashley hooks up.
Ashley hooks up.
Cameramen lock in.
Cameramen lock in.
In you go.
In you go.
A solid fish for Ashley.
A solid fish for Ashley.
He shows the spotted bass to the GoPro.
He shows the spotted bass to the GoPro.
Ashley keeps one eye on the graph and reaches for his spinning rod any time something looks a little too good to pass up.
Ashley keeps one eye on the graph and reaches for his spinning rod any time something looks a little too good to pass up.
He continues to work his bait constantly but very slowly.
He continues to work his bait constantly but very slowly.
Ashley loads his cast.
Ashley loads his cast.
He's very focused this morning, despite the 12-15 spectator boats braving the cold with him.
He’s very focused this morning, despite the 12-15 spectator boats braving the cold with him.
Another cast sails out.
Another cast sails out.
He removes his gloves long enough to retrieve a hand warmer from his pocket.
He removes his gloves long enough to retrieve a hand warmer from his pocket.
He flings his bait out...
He flings his bait out…
...loads up...
…loads up…
...fights what looks to be a solid fish....
…fights what looks to be a solid fish….
...tries to see if he can tell what it is...
…tries to see if he can tell what it is…
...but unfortunately never catches a glimpse of it as the fish comes unhooked.
…but unfortunately never catches a glimpse of it as the fish comes unhooked.
All you can do in that situation is try again.
All you can do in that situation is try again.
Another cast sails out.
Another cast sails out.
Ashley keeps his composure as he methodically circles this school.
Ashley keeps his composure as he methodically circles this school.
Each cast takes nearly a minute so, he doesn't leave his bait out of the water for long. He's back in the water before the drops from his bait are.
Each cast takes nearly a minute so, he doesn’t leave his bait out of the water for long. He’s back in the water before the drops from his bait are.
He rares back.
He rares back.
Away you go.
Away you go.
Gulls are a good thing. Indication of bait. And there are several buzzing nearby.
Gulls are a good thing. Indication of bait. And there are several buzzing nearby.
Chunk...
Chunk…
...wind...
…wind…
...dip your rod in the water. Ashley fights the ice that's building in his rod guides. On Day 1, anglers had to do this every 3 to 5 casts. Today, it's only necessary every 20 or 30 minutes.
…dip your rod in the water. Ashley fights the ice that’s building in his rod guides. On Day 1, anglers had to do this every 3 to 5 casts. Today, it’s only necessary every 20 or 30 minutes.
Ashley hooks up.
Ashley hooks up.
Another solid keeper enters the boat.
Another solid keeper enters the boat.
“Where are the 3-pounders?”
Another cast heads out.
Another cast heads out.
He loads up again.
He loads up again.
This could be a good one.
This could be a good one.
The fish nears the boat.
The fish nears the boat.
Another solid fish across the gunnel...
Another solid fish across the gunnel…
...right in front of the GoPro.
…right in front of the GoPro.
A chunky one.
A chunky one.
He heads towards the livewell.
He heads towards the livewell.
In the well.
In the well.
Cameraman Rick Mason shoots the crowd.
Cameraman Rick Mason shoots the crowd.
Mason gets a little sideways.
Mason gets a little sideways.
He works to get the best shot possible.
He works to get the best shot possible.
Ashley tweaks his bait.
Ashley tweaks his bait.
Ashley hangs up for the first time in hours. He's been keeping his bait right near the bottom but never quite on the bottom. That can be a little tricky and sticky sometimes.
Ashley hangs up for the first time in hours. He’s been keeping his bait right near the bottom but never quite on the bottom. That can be a little tricky and sticky sometimes.
Time to re-rig.
Time to re-rig.
Ashley fires another cast out as we leave him.
Ashley fires another cast out as we leave him.