Final Day with Murray and Estel

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Head out on the final day of the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Central Open #2 on the Red River as 2nd place Tommy Murray, 3rd place Luke Estel and the rest of the Top 12 look to chase down Alton Jones Jr.
Head out on the final day of the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Central Open #2 on the Red River as 2nd place Tommy Murray, 3rd place Luke Estel and the rest of the Top 12 look to chase down Alton Jones Jr.
The morning started with similar weather as Days 1 and 2, but today was the warmest of them all.
The morning started with similar weather as Days 1 and 2, but today was the warmest of them all.
And it seemed that the slight wind from Day 1 had dissipated and Day 3 would be the calmest of them all.
And it seemed that the slight wind from Day 1 had dissipated and Day 3 would be the calmest of them all.
Tommy Murray started the day in 2nd place and was just two ounces behind Alton Jones Jr. when they left the dock this morning.
Tommy Murray started the day in 2nd place and was just two ounces behind Alton Jones Jr. when they left the dock this morning.
Murray fished an old pond levee in an area referred to as
Murray fished an old pond levee in an area referred to as “White House.” This area was a prototypical Red River area and was littered with stumps and obstacles.
A goose honked as it flew over the Texas angler.
A goose honked as it flew over the Texas angler.
Meanwhile another spectator strolled in to see how Murray was doing.
Meanwhile another spectator strolled in to see how Murray was doing.
Murray hadn't boxed a fish since we arrive 5 minutes after he started fishing.
Murray hadn’t boxed a fish since we arrive 5 minutes after he started fishing.
He did mix in numerous baits like a spinnerbait, crankbait and he did flip at the numerous stump targets.
He did mix in numerous baits like a spinnerbait, crankbait and he did flip at the numerous stump targets.
Murray boasted a big jump in the standings with his 6-pound, 2-ounce Phoenix Boats Big Bass thus far.
Murray boasted a big jump in the standings with his 6-pound, 2-ounce Phoenix Boats Big Bass thus far.
A fish that size would almost surely tip the scales in his favor today as the Red River has been tough and the entire Top 12 was separated by a lesser margin.
A fish that size would almost surely tip the scales in his favor today as the Red River has been tough and the entire Top 12 was separated by a lesser margin.
After fishing his two best spots within this area Murray checked out his electronics to figure out what he should do next.
After fishing his two best spots within this area Murray checked out his electronics to figure out what he should do next.
So he kept trucking along and fished as much cover in the area as he could.
So he kept trucking along and fished as much cover in the area as he could.
We have heard from the anglers this week that you had to flip your bait quietly by cover and put it right on top of a fish if you wanted a bite.
We have heard from the anglers this week that you had to flip your bait quietly by cover and put it right on top of a fish if you wanted a bite.
It looks as if co-angler Brandon Clayton dropped his Whopper Plopper right on top of an unsuspecting fish and it couldn't resist.
It looks as if co-angler Brandon Clayton dropped his Whopper Plopper right on top of an unsuspecting fish and it couldn’t resist.
Clayton started the day in 6th on the co-angler side.
Clayton started the day in 6th on the co-angler side.
He swings aboard his first keeper of the day and he broke the ice for the duo.
He swings aboard his first keeper of the day and he broke the ice for the duo.
It wasn't that big, but it was a start.
It wasn’t that big, but it was a start.
Co-anglers can only weigh 3 fish so Clayton was a 1/3 of the way to his limit.
Co-anglers can only weigh 3 fish so Clayton was a 1/3 of the way to his limit.
It was a good sign that fish were still here, but Murray kept plugging away to figure out how to entice a bite.
It was a good sign that fish were still here, but Murray kept plugging away to figure out how to entice a bite.
After a tough three hours with Tommy Murray, I ran to 3rd place Luke Estel who was looking to continue his success. He was 3rd after Day 1 as well.
After a tough three hours with Tommy Murray, I ran to 3rd place Luke Estel who was looking to continue his success. He was 3rd after Day 1 as well.
We returned to an area that he referred to as the
We returned to an area that he referred to as the “Gator Hole.”
Estel slides his rod down his line to get his bait unhung.
Estel slides his rod down his line to get his bait unhung.
Estel had two keepers in the boat when we arrived, but none were special in size.
Estel had two keepers in the boat when we arrived, but none were special in size.
He told us that he has hooked four quality fish in this area over the past two days and landed three of them so he knows one or two today would be clutch.
He told us that he has hooked four quality fish in this area over the past two days and landed three of them so he knows one or two today would be clutch.
Whenever he got close to a key stretch of stumps or cover he would utilize his Power Poles to stay stealthy a solid distance away.
Whenever he got close to a key stretch of stumps or cover he would utilize his Power Poles to stay stealthy a solid distance away.
He referred to this area as the Gator Hole because he made his way in this backwater pond in practice and only spent 10 minutes fishing. The rest of the time he followed an alligator around taking photos and video of it because they don't have those in Illinois. Luckily for him he caught two fish in those 10 minutes and it showed him potential.
He referred to this area as the Gator Hole because he made his way in this backwater pond in practice and only spent 10 minutes fishing. The rest of the time he followed an alligator around taking photos and video of it because they don’t have those in Illinois. Luckily for him he caught two fish in those 10 minutes and it showed him potential.
He heads to an ultra shallow part of the area and chunks a buzzbait around.
He heads to an ultra shallow part of the area and chunks a buzzbait around.
But his primary bait of the week was a black and blue Strike King Rage Bug.
But his primary bait of the week was a black and blue Strike King Rage Bug.
Estel hooks up with a fish. The splash it makes tells Estel this could be a better fish.
Estel hooks up with a fish. The splash it makes tells Estel this could be a better fish.
He manages to wrangle the fish and pull it away from the gnarly stump.
He manages to wrangle the fish and pull it away from the gnarly stump.
Then he keeps the momentum coming to the boat and swings it in.
Then he keeps the momentum coming to the boat and swings it in.
That's keeper number 3 for Luke Estel and although it isn't a giant he now knows he only needs two more fish to possibly make the Bassmaster Classic.
That’s keeper number 3 for Luke Estel and although it isn’t a giant he now knows he only needs two more fish to possibly make the Bassmaster Classic.
That fact alone has him excited. His first two keepers were small so this one was a boost, but now he needs two decent bites to finish his day.
That fact alone has him excited. His first two keepers were small so this one was a boost, but now he needs two decent bites to finish his day.
He kept pitching and flipping his Rage Bug around the stumps.
He kept pitching and flipping his Rage Bug around the stumps.
While a bird hid in the bushes and watched with an extreme focus.
While a bird hid in the bushes and watched with an extreme focus.
His co-angler Ernest Smoak started the day in 7th place, just a few pounds out of first.
His co-angler Ernest Smoak started the day in 7th place, just a few pounds out of first.
We packed up and shipped off a little while later as Estel looked for his final two fish of the day and tournament.
We packed up and shipped off a little while later as Estel looked for his final two fish of the day and tournament.