Day 2 on Lake Norman

Day 1 leaders from UNC Charlotte head out on Lake Norman on Day 2 to battle the cold, rain and wind.

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Day 1 leaders from UNC Charlotte head out on Lake Norman on Day 2 to battle the cold, rain and wind.
Day 1 leaders from UNC Charlotte head out on Lake Norman on Day 2 to battle the cold, rain and wind.
Cole Blythe and John Auten make a move.
Cole Blythe and John Auten make a move.
The rain is definitely coming down now.
The rain is definitely coming down now.
Steer clear.
Steer clear.
ESPN camera crews are on scene.
ESPN camera crews are on scene.
Auten puts a small fish in the boat...
Auten puts a small fish in the boat…
...but it doesn't reach the 14-inch minimum length and has to go back with a splash.
…but it doesn’t reach the 14-inch minimum length and has to go back with a splash.
Time to strap down...
Time to strap down…
...and roll to the next spot.
…and roll to the next spot.
“We’re just going right over there,” yells Blythe through the downpour.
Wind's picking up a bit.
Wind’s picking up a bit.
Soppy start to the day.
Soppy start to the day.
On Day 1, Cole Blythe's boat broke down. Blythe works at Bass Pro Shops, and his manager loaned Blythe his personal boat to use on Day 2. Nice management skills!
On Day 1, Cole Blythe’s boat broke down. Blythe works at Bass Pro Shops, and his manager loaned Blythe his personal boat to use on Day 2. Nice management skills!
Focused through the downpour...
Focused through the downpour…
...and having fun.
…and having fun.
Auten reties.
Auten reties.
Auten and Blythe have been best friends for years.
Auten and Blythe have been best friends for years.
The only dry boat on the lake right now.
The only dry boat on the lake right now.
Blythe hooks up.
Blythe hooks up.
Get in the boat.
Get in the boat.
This one will be close to a keeper.
This one will be close to a keeper.
Ben Oliver catches all the action to be aired later on ESPN.
Ben Oliver catches all the action to be aired later on ESPN.
In the well.
In the well.
Everyone's having to fight the rain today.
Everyone’s having to fight the rain today.
This dock produced the Day 1 Carhartt Big Bass for Blythe, a 6 pound 10 ounce stud.
This dock produced the Day 1 Carhartt Big Bass for Blythe, a 6 pound 10 ounce stud.
Auten checks the flavor of his Senko.
Auten checks the flavor of his Senko.
Blythe winds up...
Blythe winds up…
...and fires a cast out.
…and fires a cast out.
Autumn follows suit.
Autumn follows suit.
The rain has slowed a bit.
The rain has slowed a bit.
But UNCC makes sure to keep their lines wet.
But UNCC makes sure to keep their lines wet.
Blythe sends a bait under the dock.
Blythe sends a bait under the dock.
Auten skips his bait in as well.
Auten skips his bait in as well.
Unfortunately when skipping docks, you're bound to get hung once in a while.
Unfortunately when skipping docks, you’re bound to get hung once in a while.
The water is quite clear here.
The water is quite clear here.
Blythe hooks up again.
Blythe hooks up again.
...
…
...
…
Another solid keeper.
Another solid keeper.
Though Blythe has the hot hand now, this is certainly a team effort as Auten heads in with the cull ball.
Though Blythe has the hot hand now, this is certainly a team effort as Auten heads in with the cull ball.
Another keeper heads in the well.
Another keeper heads in the well.
Time to retie.
Time to retie.
Blythe sets up again.
Blythe sets up again.
...
…
...
…
This one's close to the line and Blythe calls Auten up for a second opinion.
This one’s close to the line and Blythe calls Auten up for a second opinion.
This one will keep.
This one will keep.
The sun fights to pop out from behind the clouds.
The sun fights to pop out from behind the clouds.
The rain is also slowing down.
The rain is also slowing down.
There are some massive houses here on Norman.
There are some massive houses here on Norman.
Blythe sends a bait under another dock.
Blythe sends a bait under another dock.
Blythe heaves another cast out.
Blythe heaves another cast out.
Auten hooks up this time.
Auten hooks up this time.
A better fish it seems.
A better fish it seems.
A large wave removed the net from UNCC's boat this morning, so Blythe goes in for the grab.
A large wave removed the net from UNCC’s boat this morning, so Blythe goes in for the grab.
Got her.
Got her.
A better fish for sure.
A better fish for sure.
The storm pushes through the area.
The storm pushes through the area.
The wind is really picking up here on Norman.
The wind is really picking up here on Norman.
...
…
Another storm trails behind.
Another storm trails behind.
Blythe hooks up again.
Blythe hooks up again.
Another small keeper.
Another small keeper.
Auten unhooks the fish...
Auten unhooks the fish…
and takes it to the well.
and takes it to the well.
That's number five for UNCC.
That’s number five for UNCC.
Auten caught a fin in his fingernail at some point. 'No worries,' he said with a smile.
Auten caught a fin in his fingernail at some point. ‘No worries,’ he said with a smile.
UNCC caught all their Day 1 action on their own GoPros.
UNCC caught all their Day 1 action on their own GoPros.
The footage will be available soon on Bassmaster.com.
The footage will be available soon on Bassmaster.com.
Time to make another move.
Time to make another move.
Blythe and Auten check on their fish.
Blythe and Auten check on their fish.
Another hookup for Blythe.
Another hookup for Blythe.
A fish comes into view.
A fish comes into view.
Get in the boat.
Get in the boat.
Time to cull.
Time to cull.