Day 2 begins on Atchafalaya

Day 2 of the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Central Regional on the Atchafalaya Basin started early as the 79 teams prepared for cut day and the hopes of making the Top 20.

The Day 1 leaders Tyler Stewart and Nick Joiner launch their boat. They hope another 17 pounds is in their future, but if it isn’t they do have a 4-plus pound cushion.

Tanner Crim of Tarleton State launches their Skeeter. Crim and his partner Zach Montalvo were just outside of the cut line going into today. They were 8 ounces from the final cut spot and they hope to make up that deficit today.

Anglers gather and talk before blastoff begins. Many of these teams travel together throughout the central region for these tournaments.

JP Kimbrough and Jared Rascoe of LSU Shreveport talk with the leaders Tyler Stewart and Nick Joiner. Both teams are currently in the cut.

A team had some problems this morning as their tire busted off of their trailer as they were attempting to back in their boat. It certainly delayed their start to the day as they attempted to fix it.

Boats head down the canal…

And they gather until their names are called for launch.

Cameraman Wes Miller gets some shots of the teams nearby.

It’s go time as boat No. 1 heads out. Cain Hamous and Lane Possoit of Northwestern State lead the field out to the intercostal area of the Atchafalaya.

The second place team of Zach Ziober and Dakota Ebare of Tarleton State get prepared. They hope to make up a 4 pound deficit and catch the leaders today.

Flights continue to head out…

…as the sun rises on the Atchafalaya Basin.

Wes Miller conducts a last second interview with the second place team just before they head out for takeoff.

Justin Cooper and Johnny Ledet of Northwestern State were nice enough to take me out for takeoff so I could shoot some photos.

Just as they were letting me off back at the ramp I snapped a photo of a tribute that they have to their fallen teammate Dylan Poche.