College: Day 2 on Lake Mead

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Day 2 of the Carhartt College Series Western Regional on Lake Mead got underway early at Callville Bay Marina as the full field launched in hopes of overcoming a tough bite to move up the standings.
Day 2 of the Carhartt College Series Western Regional on Lake Mead got underway early at Callville Bay Marina as the full field launched in hopes of overcoming a tough bite to move up the standings.
Jacob Wall from Oregon was one of the first teams to leave the dock. Wall caught 12-6 and was in 3rd place after Day 1.
Jacob Wall from Oregon was one of the first teams to leave the dock. Wall caught 12-6 and was in 3rd place after Day 1.
The Day 1 leaders Gunnar Stanton and Gunner Campbell head out in hopes of extending their lead over the field.
The Day 1 leaders Gunnar Stanton and Gunner Campbell head out in hopes of extending their lead over the field.
The second place team from Colorado Mesa started close to the ramp so we stayed to watch their early morning unfold.
The second place team from Colorado Mesa started close to the ramp so we stayed to watch their early morning unfold.
They alternated between a vast array of baits throughout their morning and we noticed that when one angler would pick up a spinning rod the other would change up to a different technique to give the fish a different look.
They alternated between a vast array of baits throughout their morning and we noticed that when one angler would pick up a spinning rod the other would change up to a different technique to give the fish a different look.
Josh Worth flings a spinning rod to a deep spot in hopes of hooking up with a smallmouth.
Josh Worth flings a spinning rod to a deep spot in hopes of hooking up with a smallmouth.
Ben Oliver films the anglers for the ESPNU TV show that will air later this year.
Ben Oliver films the anglers for the ESPNU TV show that will air later this year.
We hopped across the creek and found Jacob Wall fishing nearby. He fished solo yesterday and encountered some boat problems. Fortunately he kept his focus and brought 12-6 to the scales, which was good enough for 3rd place.
We hopped across the creek and found Jacob Wall fishing nearby. He fished solo yesterday and encountered some boat problems. Fortunately he kept his focus and brought 12-6 to the scales, which was good enough for 3rd place.
Wall checks his livewell to see if his fish he caught shortly after takeoff were doing fine, and they were.
Wall checks his livewell to see if his fish he caught shortly after takeoff were doing fine, and they were.
So we proceeded to ask him how his morning was since he obviously had fish. He replied that he had three keepers very quick and one was a three-and-a-half pound largemouth.
So we proceeded to ask him how his morning was since he obviously had fish. He replied that he had three keepers very quick and one was a three-and-a-half pound largemouth.
Wall takes a moment to spray some scent on his bait.
Wall takes a moment to spray some scent on his bait.
There are some big boats on Lake Mead, just like the ones we saw at the Elite Series event at Lake Havasu in 2015.
There are some big boats on Lake Mead, just like the ones we saw at the Elite Series event at Lake Havasu in 2015.
Moments later Wall gets a bite.
Moments later Wall gets a bite.
He sets the hook and the fight is on.
He sets the hook and the fight is on.
He battles it to the side of the boat.
He battles it to the side of the boat.
This is either a good fish or it’s a feisty smallmouth…maybe both.
This is either a good fish or it’s a feisty smallmouth…maybe both.
He prepares to swing the fish aboard. This could be keeper number four.
He prepares to swing the fish aboard. This could be keeper number four.
Indeed it is a keeper and a smallmouth.
Indeed it is a keeper and a smallmouth.
In the box for Wall. He is off to a fast start and has four keepers in the first 45 minutes.
In the box for Wall. He is off to a fast start and has four keepers in the first 45 minutes.
After fishing for a few more minutes he pulls his trolling motor up to head to a fish he found on a bed.
After fishing for a few more minutes he pulls his trolling motor up to head to a fish he found on a bed.
He heads across the pocket. This photo shows a feat in itself, as Wall blew his lower unit yesterday and he had to use his trolling motor all day. Because of the help of a generous local angler who had a spare lower unit, Wall is good to go today.
He heads across the pocket. This photo shows a feat in itself, as Wall blew his lower unit yesterday and he had to use his trolling motor all day. Because of the help of a generous local angler who had a spare lower unit, Wall is good to go today.
He looks for the bed fish, but he doesn’t see it. He isn’t sure if the fish was caught yesterday in the local tournament or if it just finished spawning.
He looks for the bed fish, but he doesn’t see it. He isn’t sure if the fish was caught yesterday in the local tournament or if it just finished spawning.
He decides to fish a little longer just in case, so we leave him to it and search for the leaders who made a decent run this morning.
He decides to fish a little longer just in case, so we leave him to it and search for the leaders who made a decent run this morning.
Every creek arm looks so similar on Mead. Every finger extends as far as the eye can see and they twist and turn through the mountains.
Every creek arm looks so similar on Mead. Every finger extends as far as the eye can see and they twist and turn through the mountains.
We return to the second place team of Josh Worth and Kennedy Kinkade, who made a run north after fishing near the ramp.
We return to the second place team of Josh Worth and Kennedy Kinkade, who made a run north after fishing near the ramp.
Meanwhile a seaplane flies overhead.
Meanwhile a seaplane flies overhead.
Once again the duo fish completely different baits as they try to figure out the changes that Day 2 has brought to them.
Once again the duo fish completely different baits as they try to figure out the changes that Day 2 has brought to them.
Kinkade zings a dropshot out to the abundant rock cover looking for their first keeper of the day.
Kinkade zings a dropshot out to the abundant rock cover looking for their first keeper of the day.
We see spectators of all shapes and sizes at Bassmaster events.
We see spectators of all shapes and sizes at Bassmaster events.
The aptly named Valley of Fire.
The aptly named Valley of Fire.
A helicopter flies overhead. There is a lot of air traffic around the Las Vegas/Lake Mead area.
A helicopter flies overhead. There is a lot of air traffic around the Las Vegas/Lake Mead area.
To put in perspective how big these mountains are, check out the Texas Tech team in the bottom right of the photo.
To put in perspective how big these mountains are, check out the Texas Tech team in the bottom right of the photo.
They had one keeper and were looking for answers. They were sitting in 12th place after Day 1.
They had one keeper and were looking for answers. They were sitting in 12th place after Day 1.
Joseph Smith and Donald Peters were still thoroughly fishing the shoreline looking for signs of life.
Joseph Smith and Donald Peters were still thoroughly fishing the shoreline looking for signs of life.
Soon after we arrive, they got prepared to seek a change of scenery.
Soon after we arrive, they got prepared to seek a change of scenery.
They head north to cover some water.
They head north to cover some water.
Alex Robbins and Rudy Directo from Humboldt State were the bubble boys after Day 1 due to their 7-6 bag.
Alex Robbins and Rudy Directo from Humboldt State were the bubble boys after Day 1 due to their 7-6 bag.
Today has been much better for the duo as they have well over 10 pounds in the boat.
Today has been much better for the duo as they have well over 10 pounds in the boat.
Directo heaves out a big bait looking for a big bite.
Directo heaves out a big bait looking for a big bite.
The teammates make a move through the narrows of Lake Mead, so we head in to see how it all unfolds.
The teammates make a move through the narrows of Lake Mead, so we head in to see how it all unfolds.