Day 2 with Watson

We head out on Table Rock with James Watson as he tries to grad the lead on Day 2 of the Bass Pro Shops Central Open presented by Allstate.

We head out on Table Rock with James Watson as he tries to grad the lead on Day 2 of the Bass Pro Shops Central Open presented by Allstate.
We head out on Table Rock with James Watson as he tries to grad the lead on Day 2 of the Bass Pro Shops Central Open presented by Allstate.
Watson makes a short move...
Watson makes a short move…
leaving his trolling motor down until he clears the dock.
leaving his trolling motor down until he clears the dock.
Watson talks strategy, saying anything before 10 o'clock is a bonus fish.
Watson talks strategy, saying anything before 10 o’clock is a bonus fish.
Co-angler Paul Benson makes a pitch.
Co-angler Paul Benson makes a pitch.
Watson keeps one of several topwaters in hand throughout the morning.
Watson keeps one of several topwaters in hand throughout the morning.
A few short fish, but no keepers yet for co or pro.
A few short fish, but no keepers yet for co or pro.
Stacey King comes sliding in across the bay after a chilly boat ride.
Stacey King comes sliding in across the bay after a chilly boat ride.
King heads down the bank in a hurry.
King heads down the bank in a hurry.
Watson keeps his line tight as he burns his frog back to the boat.
Watson keeps his line tight as he burns his frog back to the boat.
King works around a dock...
King works around a dock…
and Watson spots him for the first time.
and Watson spots him for the first time.
Knowing Watson had the bigger bag on Day 1, King yields the water to him...
Knowing Watson had the bigger bag on Day 1, King yields the water to him…
and wishes Watson luck on the way out. Classy move considering King is in good position himself sitting in 18th.
and wishes Watson luck on the way out. Classy move considering King is in good position himself sitting in 18th.
Watson gets back to grinding away with his topwater frog, the cold morning making it tough to draw a strike.
Watson gets back to grinding away with his topwater frog, the cold morning making it tough to draw a strike.
Time to make a move.
Time to make a move.
Mike McClelland is on the move as well, sliding into some docks across the bay.
Mike McClelland is on the move as well, sliding into some docks across the bay.
Cast...
Cast…
after cast...
after cast…
after cast, Watson searches for number one.
after cast, Watson searches for number one.
Fall is just starting to settle into the Ozarks.
Fall is just starting to settle into the Ozarks.
Watson burns the bank up, firing away at whatever shallow cover he can find.
Watson burns the bank up, firing away at whatever shallow cover he can find.
Another cast goes out...
Another cast goes out…
and Watson hooks up.
and Watson hooks up.
After a near miss with a big fish just a few casts before...
After a near miss with a big fish just a few casts before…
Watson now has number on in the boat.
Watson now has number on in the boat.
Looks like the fish are finally turning on.
Looks like the fish are finally turning on.
This looks like it could be a big one.
This looks like it could be a big one.
The fish starts to surface...
The fish starts to surface…
and Watson gets his first glimpse of what's on the other end of the line.
and Watson gets his first glimpse of what’s on the other end of the line.
“Get in the boat!”
“Yeaaaaah!”
“That’s my bonus fish!”
“That’s a true Table Rock gorilla right there!”
Not long after Watson boats his 5-pounder, another fish enters the boat.
Not long after Watson boats his 5-pounder, another fish enters the boat.
Not quite 10 0'clock yet and the bite has already picked up for Watson.
Not quite 10 0’clock yet and the bite has already picked up for Watson.
This one enters the boat...
This one enters the boat…
but exits shortly after since it was under 15-inches.
but exits shortly after since it was under 15-inches.
Another bite...
Another bite…
but another small one.
but another small one.
Watson boats the fish...
Watson boats the fish…
and gives it a courtesy measurement before tossing the fish back in the lake.
and gives it a courtesy measurement before tossing the fish back in the lake.
Co-angler Paul Benson hooks up...
Co-angler Paul Benson hooks up…
but finds a bream on the other end of the line.
but finds a bream on the other end of the line.
This is what the bass are chasing.
This is what the bass are chasing.
Watson brings his from to the boat over and over again until...
Watson brings his from to the boat over and over again until…
it eventually gets slammed.
it eventually gets slammed.
Another bite...
Another bite…
another non-keeper.
another non-keeper.
Something catches Watson's eye.
Something catches Watson’s eye.
A doe enjoying the cool morning.
A doe enjoying the cool morning.
The deer takes a sip...
The deer takes a sip…
and heads up the hill until a shrill whistle gets her attention.
and heads up the hill until a shrill whistle gets her attention.
Then she politely heads back down to the water for another sip and photo op.
Then she politely heads back down to the water for another sip and photo op.