Opens: Follow the leader with Dustin Connell

We head out on the Alabama River to chase down Day 1 leader Dustin Connell as he tries to maintain his lead of the 2015 Bass Pro Shops Southern Open #2 Presented by Allstate

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We head out on the Alabama River to chase down Day 1 leader Dustin Connell as he tries to maintain his lead of the Bass Pro Shops Southern Open on the Alabama River presented by Allstate. We arriver to the R.F. Henry Jones Bluff Lock and Dam before the anglers can make it down river. But one local angler is already on scene.
We head out on the Alabama River to chase down Day 1 leader Dustin Connell as he tries to maintain his lead of the Bass Pro Shops Southern Open on the Alabama River presented by Allstate. We arriver to the R.F. Henry Jones Bluff Lock and Dam before the anglers can make it down river. But one local angler is already on scene.
There are restrictions near the area where the lock discharges its water.
There are restrictions near the area where the lock discharges its water.
And for good reason.
And for good reason.
One second everything's fine...
One second everything’s fine…
then the next there's enough turbulence to flip your boat.
then the next there’s enough turbulence to flip your boat.
And that's why these signs are present.
And that’s why these signs are present.
The water rushes out of the lock.
The water rushes out of the lock.
Stay back.
Stay back.
The first lock of anglers are just to the other side of those doors.
The first lock of anglers are just to the other side of those doors.
And here they come.
And here they come.
The doors open to reveal who will be locking down to fish this pool today.
The doors open to reveal who will be locking down to fish this pool today.
Here they come.
Here they come.
Thirteen boats locked on Day 1, and it appears as though there are just a few more today.
Thirteen boats locked on Day 1, and it appears as though there are just a few more today.
J Todd Tucker made the run upriver yesterday, but decides to start down today.
J Todd Tucker made the run upriver yesterday, but decides to start down today.
Jamie Horton sits in second place after Day 1.
Jamie Horton sits in second place after Day 1.
Day 1 leader Dustin Connell gets started fishing.
Day 1 leader Dustin Connell gets started fishing.
Terry 'Big Show' Scroggins locks down.
Terry ‘Big Show’ Scroggins locks down.
Clent Davis starts the day in the Top 10.
Clent Davis starts the day in the Top 10.
Sandy Melvin heads down river.
Sandy Melvin heads down river.
Paul Elias also locking down.
Paul Elias also locking down.
Charlie Hartley heads down.
Charlie Hartley heads down.
Ott DeFoe also locking through.
Ott DeFoe also locking through.
Kenta Kimura heads down river.
Kenta Kimura heads down river.
Dustin Connell and J Todd Tucker stop to fish.
Dustin Connell and J Todd Tucker stop to fish.
Connell gets into position.
Connell gets into position.
The lock master looks on.
The lock master looks on.
Connell works the end of the lock wall.
Connell works the end of the lock wall.
Connell sends a spinnerbait out.
Connell sends a spinnerbait out.
When J Todd Tucker realizes that Connell is in the lead, he graciously backs off.
When J Todd Tucker realizes that Connell is in the lead, he graciously backs off.
Connell sticks to his guns...
Connell sticks to his guns…
and the river continues to roll.
and the river continues to roll.
Connell goes for another rod.
Connell goes for another rod.
Time to retie.
Time to retie.
Connell sends a crankbait out.
Connell sends a crankbait out.
...
…
And then swaps to a spinnerbait.
And then swaps to a spinnerbait.
Looks a little more crowded on that side of the river.
Looks a little more crowded on that side of the river.
Connell works to get the right angle.
Connell works to get the right angle.
A spinnerbait goes sailing.
A spinnerbait goes sailing.
...
…
...
…
Connell hooks up.
Connell hooks up.
The fish fights to regain its freedom.
The fish fights to regain its freedom.
But Connell makes short work of it.
But Connell makes short work of it.
Number one...
Number one…
in the box.
in the box.
Connell's co-angler hooks up.
Connell’s co-angler hooks up.
The fish breaks the surface.
The fish breaks the surface.
In the boat.
In the boat.
...
…
...
…
...
…
Both co and pro now on the board.
Both co and pro now on the board.
Clent Davis' co-angler...
Clent Davis’ co-angler…
puts one in the boat.
puts one in the boat.
Connell makes a move.
Connell makes a move.
Headed back to the dam.
Headed back to the dam.
Connell works the tip of the lock wall again.
Connell works the tip of the lock wall again.
Fish on.
Fish on.
...
…
Not what Connell was hoping for.
Not what Connell was hoping for.
But might be 12 inches long.
But might be 12 inches long.
Got to put it on the board.
Got to put it on the board.
...
…
Connell gives a sarcastic 'boom' as he heads to the livewel with keeper number two.
Connell gives a sarcastic ‘boom’ as he heads to the livewel with keeper number two.
Connell hangs back.
Connell hangs back.
Connell's co hooks up again.
Connell’s co hooks up again.
In the boat.
In the boat.
Keeper number two.
Keeper number two.
The rain has been steady all morning.
The rain has been steady all morning.
Time to make a move.
Time to make a move.
Connell works down the lock wall.
Connell works down the lock wall.
Things aren't looking all that good for Connell at this point.
Things aren’t looking all that good for Connell at this point.
Connell fishes the far wall.
Connell fishes the far wall.
The area is seeing a lot of pressure today, according to Connell.
The area is seeing a lot of pressure today, according to Connell.
Charlie Hartley works his way down the bank.
Charlie Hartley works his way down the bank.
Hartley tells us about the one that got away.
Hartley tells us about the one that got away.
Connell fishes on...
Connell fishes on…
but doesn't look pleased with what he's seeing...
but doesn’t look pleased with what he’s seeing…
as Hartley puts one in the boat.
as Hartley puts one in the boat.
Connell fishes on...
Connell fishes on…
but it's not long before another angler hooks up.
but it’s not long before another angler hooks up.
Sam George battles a spot.
Sam George battles a spot.
The fish goes to jump...
The fish goes to jump…
...
…
...
…
Got it.
Got it.
Connell tries to stay focused....
Connell tries to stay focused….
and keeps on casting.
and keeps on casting.
Connell hopes this waterfall might produce...
Connell hopes this waterfall might produce…
but no such luck.
but no such luck.
As we head out Dustin Connell says good bye.
As we head out Dustin Connell says good bye.