Day 1 afternoon: Chickamauga

Follow along as the action continues during Day 1 of the Bass Pro Shops Southern Open #2.
Follow along as the action continues during Day 1 of the Bass Pro Shops Southern Open #2.
Co-angler Roy Hurst was hooked up as I ran down the lake so I stopped to watch the action unfold.
Co-angler Roy Hurst was hooked up as I ran down the lake so I stopped to watch the action unfold.
Pro Luke Estel was there to assist Hurst.
Pro Luke Estel was there to assist Hurst.
Estel grabs a 7-11 monster and brings it aboard for Hurst.
Estel grabs a 7-11 monster and brings it aboard for Hurst.
That's a giant for the co-angler side.
That’s a giant for the co-angler side.
College Opens representative John Garrett heads to his next spot.
College Opens representative John Garrett heads to his next spot.
Meanwhile Estel was trying to fill his limit.
Meanwhile Estel was trying to fill his limit.
He landed small fish after small fish.
He landed small fish after small fish.
He said he caught over 75 fish on Day 1 before the clock struck noon.
He said he caught over 75 fish on Day 1 before the clock struck noon.
Elite Series rookie Jesse Wiggins drives by as he looks for his next spot.
Elite Series rookie Jesse Wiggins drives by as he looks for his next spot.
Estel bombs another cast looking for his 5th keeper.
Estel bombs another cast looking for his 5th keeper.
Hurst already had his 3-fish co-angler limit.
Hurst already had his 3-fish co-angler limit.
And that included the 7-11, a 5 pounder and a solid 2+. He was the Day 1 co-angler leader with 3 fish for 15-3.
And that included the 7-11, a 5 pounder and a solid 2+. He was the Day 1 co-angler leader with 3 fish for 15-3.
Estel hooks up again.
Estel hooks up again.
And swings aboard a largemouth.
And swings aboard a largemouth.
This one measured 15 inches and gave him a limit.
This one measured 15 inches and gave him a limit.
They continued to pound the spot and catch fish after fish.
They continued to pound the spot and catch fish after fish.
Recent Elite Series champion John Murray drives by.
Recent Elite Series champion John Murray drives by.
I found Florida pro Eric Panzironi fishing nearby.
I found Florida pro Eric Panzironi fishing nearby.
He was looking for his 5th keeper as well.
He was looking for his 5th keeper as well.
He swings in a long fish, but would it be long enough?
He swings in a long fish, but would it be long enough?
He unhooks it...
He unhooks it…
And measures it, but it doesn't pass the test.
And measures it, but it doesn’t pass the test.
Panzironi would only bring 4 to the scales.
Panzironi would only bring 4 to the scales.
Jestin Anderson flies by.
Jestin Anderson flies by.
I found another Florida pro...Rich Howes.
I found another Florida pro…Rich Howes.
Brandon Card heads south to his next spot.
Brandon Card heads south to his next spot.
After making an area change I found Marty Robinson.
After making an area change I found Marty Robinson.
The Elite Series pro was culling as I pulled up.
The Elite Series pro was culling as I pulled up.
He releases the smallest fish and gets back to work.
He releases the smallest fish and gets back to work.
He was looking for some spawning fish as the sun peeked from behind the clouds.
He was looking for some spawning fish as the sun peeked from behind the clouds.
Chickamauga isn't the clearest lake so seeing fish could be tough at times.
Chickamauga isn’t the clearest lake so seeing fish could be tough at times.
He was pitching a bait around while he looked and managed to catch a small one.
He was pitching a bait around while he looked and managed to catch a small one.
That didn't help his cause.
That didn’t help his cause.
But he hooked up again.
But he hooked up again.
And caught another small one.
And caught another small one.
Robinson was using precise flips to get bites.
Robinson was using precise flips to get bites.
Al Farace runs by.
Al Farace runs by.
As Robinson gets a fresh bait.
As Robinson gets a fresh bait.
I found Wesley Strader posted up on a bed fish as well.
I found Wesley Strader posted up on a bed fish as well.
But he was having trouble seeing it as well.
But he was having trouble seeing it as well.
So after a few minutes he packed up and headed out.
So after a few minutes he packed up and headed out.