Elite: Day 2 on Bull Shoals

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Day 2 of the Bull Shoals/Norfork Lakes event brought its own set of challenges as the 108 Elite Series anglers loaded up for a day on Bull Shoals.
Day 2 of the Bull Shoals/Norfork Lakes event brought its own set of challenges as the 108 Elite Series anglers loaded up for a day on Bull Shoals.
Unlike most tournaments we cover, Day 2 of this event is just as much of a toss up as Day 1 of most events. The successful anglers that sit atop the leaderboard try to adapt and duplicate their success on another fishery while those who struggled look to surge up the leaderboard.
Unlike most tournaments we cover, Day 2 of this event is just as much of a toss up as Day 1 of most events. The successful anglers that sit atop the leaderboard try to adapt and duplicate their success on another fishery while those who struggled look to surge up the leaderboard.
Rookie Jay Brainard was the first angler we saw after leaving the ramp.
Rookie Jay Brainard was the first angler we saw after leaving the ramp.
Tim Horton was in the back of the creek and came speeding by moments after we arrived.
Tim Horton was in the back of the creek and came speeding by moments after we arrived.
Brainard told us that if this spot ignited then it could be lights out. No promises on if it would happen, but he soon hooked up and the flurry began.
Brainard told us that if this spot ignited then it could be lights out. No promises on if it would happen, but he soon hooked up and the flurry began.
Brainard already connected with his first keeper before we arrived, but number two was on his mind as he fought this fish to the boat.
Brainard already connected with his first keeper before we arrived, but number two was on his mind as he fought this fish to the boat.
We quickly realized that it wasn’t as big as he had hoped so he began to horse the fish to the boat.
We quickly realized that it wasn’t as big as he had hoped so he began to horse the fish to the boat.
He swings aboard a small fish, but there are many more below him that he is seeing on his graph.
He swings aboard a small fish, but there are many more below him that he is seeing on his graph.
Although it isn’t a keeper it is a pretty smallmouth.
Although it isn’t a keeper it is a pretty smallmouth.
Brainard hooks up a few casts later. He told us he caught multiple smallmouth over three pounds in this area including a six pounder in practice.
Brainard hooks up a few casts later. He told us he caught multiple smallmouth over three pounds in this area including a six pounder in practice.
Brainard eyes the fish in the water.
Brainard eyes the fish in the water.
Then swings aboard another non-keeper smallmouth.
Then swings aboard another non-keeper smallmouth.
But he keeps casting as the morning mist sprays off his spinning reel.
But he keeps casting as the morning mist sprays off his spinning reel.
There is a pleasant ambiance this morning as the sun rises over the trees.
There is a pleasant ambiance this morning as the sun rises over the trees.
After working through his stretch he quickly heads back to make another pass.
After working through his stretch he quickly heads back to make another pass.
And he hooks up soon after.
And he hooks up soon after.
He tries to keep the fish from jumping.
He tries to keep the fish from jumping.
He was unsuccessful, but it is still hooked up.
He was unsuccessful, but it is still hooked up.
He swings aboard another non-keeper as he tries to sift through the small fish and capitalize on the bigger bites he got in practice.
He swings aboard another non-keeper as he tries to sift through the small fish and capitalize on the bigger bites he got in practice.
We headed out and found Bobby Lane in a small pocket.
We headed out and found Bobby Lane in a small pocket.
Although he was fishing his main intention was to look for bedding bass.
Although he was fishing his main intention was to look for bedding bass.
He spots one and decides to set up on it and make a couple casts.
He spots one and decides to set up on it and make a couple casts.
The presentation.
The presentation.
The hook-up!
The hook-up!
And the fight was on as Bobby Lane snatched this fish off a bed and hoped to get it in the boat to round out his limit.
And the fight was on as Bobby Lane snatched this fish off a bed and hoped to get it in the boat to round out his limit.
He brings it around the front to avoid the shallow rocks.
He brings it around the front to avoid the shallow rocks.
He lifts the fish into the boat and that solid fish makes five for Lane.
He lifts the fish into the boat and that solid fish makes five for Lane.
After his Day 1 Lane was “looking” for better results on Day 2. Sight fish are helping him stay in contention.
After his Day 1 Lane was “looking” for better results on Day 2. Sight fish are helping him stay in contention.
Lane decides to idle out and head to his next spot now that he can go hunting for bigger fish.
Lane decides to idle out and head to his next spot now that he can go hunting for bigger fish.
We found Seth Feider as he worked his way to a couple bedding areas he found in practice.
We found Seth Feider as he worked his way to a couple bedding areas he found in practice.
He stands on the trolling motor to peek into the bed and see if the fish is there.
He stands on the trolling motor to peek into the bed and see if the fish is there.
In between his marked beds, Feider fan casts around bushes that are in front of him.
In between his marked beds, Feider fan casts around bushes that are in front of him.
Greg Hackney was in the area and was doing well early according to BASSTrakk.
Greg Hackney was in the area and was doing well early according to BASSTrakk.
It didn’t take long for Hackney to connect with a fish in front of us.
It didn’t take long for Hackney to connect with a fish in front of us.
He only had four fish when we found him, but there were quality ones in his livewell.
He only had four fish when we found him, but there were quality ones in his livewell.
This is number five for Hackney. It’s a chunky spotted bass.
This is number five for Hackney. It’s a chunky spotted bass.
He said this was the first spotted bass he has caught this week. Bull Shoals and Norfork have largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass.
He said this was the first spotted bass he has caught this week. Bull Shoals and Norfork have largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass.
A Bald Eagle flies overhead as Hackney continues to work.
A Bald Eagle flies overhead as Hackney continues to work.
He hooked up soon after.
He hooked up soon after.
The fish jumps as he tries to keep it from shaking his bait.
The fish jumps as he tries to keep it from shaking his bait.
There is a largemouth for Hackney.
There is a largemouth for Hackney.
Although largemouth have to be 15 inches, this one still didn’t outweigh the spotted bass, which only had to be 12 inches.
Although largemouth have to be 15 inches, this one still didn’t outweigh the spotted bass, which only had to be 12 inches.
Hackney kept the spot for the moment and threw the largemouth back.
Hackney kept the spot for the moment and threw the largemouth back.
Randy Howell had a good Day 1 at Norfork and was in the Top 20 going into today.
Randy Howell had a good Day 1 at Norfork and was in the Top 20 going into today.
Howell was surveying the shallows looking for bed fish.
Howell was surveying the shallows looking for bed fish.
Every once in a while he would stand on the trolling motor to get a better view.
Every once in a while he would stand on the trolling motor to get a better view.
He changes spots within the creek and gives us a thumbs up as he passes by. At 11 a.m. he had 11 to 12 pounds in the livewell.
He changes spots within the creek and gives us a thumbs up as he passes by. At 11 a.m. he had 11 to 12 pounds in the livewell.
He speeds up to hit a couple spots.
He speeds up to hit a couple spots.
Howell slings out a moving bait while looking shallow.
Howell slings out a moving bait while looking shallow.
He hooks up.
He hooks up.
This one won’t help the cause, but it is a fish and the bite helps Howell put the pieces to the puzzle.
This one won’t help the cause, but it is a fish and the bite helps Howell put the pieces to the puzzle.
Before he tosses it back he shows the GoPro the sequence of events.
Before he tosses it back he shows the GoPro the sequence of events.