Day 2 with McMillan and Tharp

We head out in pursuit of Day 1 heavy hitters Brandon McMillan and Randall Tharp on Day 2 of the Bass Pro Shops Southern Open #3 presented by Allstate.

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We head out in pursuit of Day 1 heavy hitters Brandon McMillan and Randall Tharp on Day 2 of the Bass Pro Shops Southern Open presented by Allstate. We run across Shaw Grimsby on the way.
We head out in pursuit of Day 1 heavy hitters Brandon McMillan and Randall Tharp on Day 2 of the Bass Pro Shops Southern Open presented by Allstate. We run across Shaw Grimsby on the way.
Shaw states he'd rather be here in the spring. We suspect so considering his 30-pound, 5-ounce bag here in 2014.
Shaw states he’d rather be here in the spring. We suspect so considering his 30-pound, 5-ounce bag here in 2014.
Mart Robinson in on the move.
Mart Robinson in on the move.
We stumble upon Randall Tharp first.
We stumble upon Randall Tharp first.
Tharp is flipping, his favorite technique.
Tharp is flipping, his favorite technique.
Can't get in a hurry around here, there are stumps everywhere so it's a slow idle to the next spot.
Can’t get in a hurry around here, there are stumps everywhere so it’s a slow idle to the next spot.
A fish flies into the air.
A fish flies into the air.
The bite to hookup to airborne chain of events happens pretty quick.
The bite to hookup to airborne chain of events happens pretty quick.
Not a giant...
Not a giant…
but every bite's important here this week.
but every bite’s important here this week.
Number one for Tharp.
Number one for Tharp.
Day 1 co-angler leader Marty Spears fishing nearby. Marty with a 3-pounder already.
Day 1 co-angler leader Marty Spears fishing nearby. Marty with a 3-pounder already.
Tharp keeps an eye on hi line, waiting for the slightest movement.
Tharp keeps an eye on hi line, waiting for the slightest movement.
We leave Tharp flipping and pitching away...
We leave Tharp flipping and pitching away…
and head over to Brandon McMillan.
and head over to Brandon McMillan.
McMillan, also a proficient flipper, starts the day in second place.
McMillan, also a proficient flipper, starts the day in second place.
A quick hookset and a fish falls into the boat.
A quick hookset and a fish falls into the boat.
In the box, that's keeper number three.
In the box, that’s keeper number three.
With a good finish here this week McMillan will punch his ticket to the 2016 Elite Series. The Top 5 in AOY points will get an invite and McMillan started the week with the AOY lead.
With a good finish here this week McMillan will punch his ticket to the 2016 Elite Series. The Top 5 in AOY points will get an invite and McMillan started the week with the AOY lead.
Another hook up.
Another hook up.
McMillan is doing what he needs to do to get that Elite Series invite.
McMillan is doing what he needs to do to get that Elite Series invite.
The fish aren't massive in this area...
The fish aren’t massive in this area…
but they'll keep.
but they’ll keep.
And McMillan knows that a 5-fish limit today should put him in the Elites.
And McMillan knows that a 5-fish limit today should put him in the Elites.
Number 4 is in the air...
Number 4 is in the air…
and in the boat.
and in the boat.
McMillan pitches out again...
McMillan pitches out again…
and pops another keeper out of the grass...
and pops another keeper out of the grass…
and into the boat.
and into the boat.
This fish may not look like much,
This fish may not look like much,
but it's number 5, and perhaps the most meaningful fish in a while for McMillan.
but it’s number 5, and perhaps the most meaningful fish in a while for McMillan.
Now time to upgrade.
Now time to upgrade.
But not before a dew break.
But not before a dew break.
Terry Scroggins blows by...
Terry Scroggins blows by…
followed shortly after by Chad Morgenthaler.
followed shortly after by Chad Morgenthaler.
McMillan is at home in the hydrilla, hailing from Lake Okeechobee where there's more grass than water it seems.
McMillan is at home in the hydrilla, hailing from Lake Okeechobee where there’s more grass than water it seems.
Time to make a move.
Time to make a move.
The grass lines offer miles and miles of opportunity...
The grass lines offer miles and miles of opportunity…
and for McMillan, it's time to try to cull up and stay in contention to win this event.
and for McMillan, it’s time to try to cull up and stay in contention to win this event.