Day 2 with Bobby Lane

Day 2 of the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Elite at Ross Barnett found Bobby Lane and other Elites sharing a small area, looking to find the right bites to fish on Saturday. Lane had boated two keepers in the first few minutes after arriving.
Day 2 of the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Elite at Ross Barnett found Bobby Lane and other Elites sharing a small area, looking to find the right bites to fish on Saturday. Lane had boated two keepers in the first few minutes after arriving.
Marty Robinson would be near, along with another half dozen or so anglers.
Marty Robinson would be near, along with another half dozen or so anglers.
Lane's morning would start fast, but quickly drop off.
Lane’s morning would start fast, but quickly drop off.
He would stay in the area for a couple of hours.
He would stay in the area for a couple of hours.
Fishing every piece of cover he could get to and there was a lot of it.
Fishing every piece of cover he could get to and there was a lot of it.
Lane. though, would flip some of it.  And cast to other parts of it. Trying to leave no blade of grass untouched.
Lane. though, would flip some of it. And cast to other parts of it. Trying to leave no blade of grass untouched.
If he did, there were plenty of anglers like Terry Scroggins doing the same.
If he did, there were plenty of anglers like Terry Scroggins doing the same.
But even with all the boats in the area it was a safe bet not every nook and cranny got hit, because there was so much of it.
But even with all the boats in the area it was a safe bet not every nook and cranny got hit, because there was so much of it.
Lane kept moving barely leaving a wake as he moved through the grassy area casting only a shadow.
Lane kept moving barely leaving a wake as he moved through the grassy area casting only a shadow.
All the anglers shared water with alligators, like these two as they practiced an age-old mating dance.
All the anglers shared water with alligators, like these two as they practiced an age-old mating dance.
Lane paid no attention to the gators, though.
Lane paid no attention to the gators, though.
Every once in a while one of the anglers like Robinson would catch his attention as he hooked up with a fish.
Every once in a while one of the anglers like Robinson would catch his attention as he hooked up with a fish.
This fish would be too small. But close enough to measure.
This fish would be too small. But close enough to measure.
All the moving of anglers kept the gators moving as well.
All the moving of anglers kept the gators moving as well.
In every direction there were anglers slipping through the thick grass.
In every direction there were anglers slipping through the thick grass.
Some of them crossing paths.
Some of them crossing paths.
And none of them doing a whole lot of catching.
And none of them doing a whole lot of catching.
But all of them bearing down on the cover in front of them.
But all of them bearing down on the cover in front of them.
While Greg Hackney would appear to be entirely focused, he would describe the crowded conditions as his worst scenario, hoping instead to have some place to himself.
While Greg Hackney would appear to be entirely focused, he would describe the crowded conditions as his worst scenario, hoping instead to have some place to himself.
But being yourself on Ross Barnett was impossible. Boats filled every available spot.
But being yourself on Ross Barnett was impossible. Boats filled every available spot.
With everything going on around him, Lane would keep casting.
With everything going on around him, Lane would keep casting.
Keep working to find that one bass that hadn't seen a lure yet.
Keep working to find that one bass that hadn’t seen a lure yet.
That task required flipping and casting a variety of lures,
That task required flipping and casting a variety of lures,
While digging deeper into the cover in some places.
While digging deeper into the cover in some places.
The miles of grass, though, wouldn't yield a bite for several hours.
The miles of grass, though, wouldn’t yield a bite for several hours.
It was easy to assume that the fishless casts would be frustrating.
It was easy to assume that the fishless casts would be frustrating.
But more fruitless casts were required.
But more fruitless casts were required.
And it was the same game for everyone on the water.
And it was the same game for everyone on the water.
Fellow Florida angler, Terry Scroggins, like Lane are no strangers to big areas full of grass.
Fellow Florida angler, Terry Scroggins, like Lane are no strangers to big areas full of grass.
Both know that enough casts to the right type places will eventually yield a keeper.
Both know that enough casts to the right type places will eventually yield a keeper.
It's just a matter of getting to the right places at the right time.
It’s just a matter of getting to the right places at the right time.
After a short move, Lane would find himself sharing water in other places with anglers like Jesse Tacoronte.
After a short move, Lane would find himself sharing water in other places with anglers like Jesse Tacoronte.
And Morizo Shimizu
And Morizo Shimizu
But after four hours of no bites, would get a bite. This one turned out to be a bowfin.
But after four hours of no bites, would get a bite. This one turned out to be a bowfin.
Cliff Pace would fish close by hoping for the right brand of fish.
Cliff Pace would fish close by hoping for the right brand of fish.
And Tacoronte and Lane would pass with a ton of targets in between them.
And Tacoronte and Lane would pass with a ton of targets in between them.
Fred Roumbanis would make a pass as well.
Fred Roumbanis would make a pass as well.
And Lane would get bit again, but it would be too small.
And Lane would get bit again, but it would be too small.
The next bite, though, would come quickly in the boat.
The next bite, though, would come quickly in the boat.
This one would give him three and more than 7 pounds of fish.
This one would give him three and more than 7 pounds of fish.
Moments later he would add his fourth and for the first time all morning we would see a genuine smile beaming from Lane.
Moments later he would add his fourth and for the first time all morning we would see a genuine smile beaming from Lane.
As military planes passed overhead,
As military planes passed overhead,
And Lane would come face-to-face with a blue heron in the mess of grass,
And Lane would come face-to-face with a blue heron in the mess of grass,
David Williams would add to his livewell in the distance.
David Williams would add to his livewell in the distance.
And Lane would add his fifth, yet again, a fish that came quickly into the boat.
And Lane would add his fifth, yet again, a fish that came quickly into the boat.
This one would give him about 10 pounds.
This one would give him about 10 pounds.
And put him in a position to stay near the top of the leaderboard.
And put him in a position to stay near the top of the leaderboard.
He would catch a short fish,
He would catch a short fish,
continue to fish by other anglers.
continue to fish by other anglers.
And eventually culling one more time to finish the day with 11 pounds, 10 ounces.
And eventually culling one more time to finish the day with 11 pounds, 10 ounces.