Day 2 with Cajun Baby

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Day 2 started with Cliff Crochet in the lead by 6 ounces over Elite Series rookie Jesse Wiggins.
Day 2 started with Cliff Crochet in the lead by 6 ounces over Elite Series rookie Jesse Wiggins.
Crochet made a long run up the lake to target largemouth.
Crochet made a long run up the lake to target largemouth.
The morning started out with a balmy 22 degrees making a 45-minute boat ride unpleasant ...
The morning started out with a balmy 22 degrees making a 45-minute boat ride unpleasant …
... or refreshing, depending on how you look at it.
… or refreshing, depending on how you look at it.
Crochet has high hopes as he nears his fishing location.
Crochet has high hopes as he nears his fishing location.
He zooms past us with just a quarter mile to go.
He zooms past us with just a quarter mile to go.
As we move into the creek Crochet is planning to fish, there was a nice houseboat for sale. Or potentially as future fish structure.
As we move into the creek Crochet is planning to fish, there was a nice houseboat for sale. Or potentially as future fish structure.
Crochet's first cast begins behind the series of docks where he spent most of his day yesterday.
Crochet’s first cast begins behind the series of docks where he spent most of his day yesterday.
He works the shoreline making repetitive, but precise casts.
He works the shoreline making repetitive, but precise casts.
He knows there are big bass swimming in this creek, but making them bite is always the challenge.
He knows there are big bass swimming in this creek, but making them bite is always the challenge.
It wasn't long and the first fish eats.
It wasn’t long and the first fish eats.
Whether or not it's a keeper, its a sign. And that's important.
Whether or not it’s a keeper, its a sign. And that’s important.
Before Crochet hoists the bass into the boat, it makes one last effort to free itself.
Before Crochet hoists the bass into the boat, it makes one last effort to free itself.
Not a keeper. But it's something...
Not a keeper. But it’s something…
Crochet removes the hooks before releasing it.
Crochet removes the hooks before releasing it.
Almost immediately, he hooks up again.
Almost immediately, he hooks up again.
This fish looks very similar to the last.
This fish looks very similar to the last.
While not a big one, this fish is not going to come quietly.
While not a big one, this fish is not going to come quietly.
Into the boat it comes, and it looks short.
Into the boat it comes, and it looks short.
Crochet releases the short fish and gets back to work.
Crochet releases the short fish and gets back to work.
He zings another cast down the bank.
He zings another cast down the bank.
He spins the boat around and begins working back where he came from. He must know there's something there.
He spins the boat around and begins working back where he came from. He must know there’s something there.
Crochet makes several casts at a particular piece of structure.
Crochet makes several casts at a particular piece of structure.
His rod loads up. He was right!
His rod loads up. He was right!
Will this be his first keeper?
Will this be his first keeper?
It won't come easy.
It won’t come easy.
He reaches ....
He reaches ….
But the fish resists.
But the fish resists.
Got it!
Got it!
Crochet looks happy knowing he's now on the board.
Crochet looks happy knowing he’s now on the board.
He makes several more casts before pulling up his trolling motor preparing to make a substantial run up the lake.
He makes several more casts before pulling up his trolling motor preparing to make a substantial run up the lake.
Off he goes to what could be a better spot.
Off he goes to what could be a better spot.
After a 20-minute run, Crochet puts down in some dirt water, more his style.
After a 20-minute run, Crochet puts down in some dirt water, more his style.
He fishes riprap behind a bridge, and the bridge pilings in the process.
He fishes riprap behind a bridge, and the bridge pilings in the process.
He weaves his way through the pilings making casts that relate to each giant chunk of concrete.
He weaves his way through the pilings making casts that relate to each giant chunk of concrete.
Crochet gives it a few casts before moving further back in the creek.
Crochet gives it a few casts before moving further back in the creek.
He doesn't travel far.
He doesn’t travel far.
It wasn't long and he hooks up with another one.
It wasn’t long and he hooks up with another one.
Crochet works it to the boat hoping it'll add to his total weight.
Crochet works it to the boat hoping it’ll add to his total weight.
It's a keeper, and a nice one. He's clearly happy about it!
It’s a keeper, and a nice one. He’s clearly happy about it!
Back to work on filling that 5-fish limit.
Back to work on filling that 5-fish limit.
He quickly catches another, but this one looks very close to the minimum size limit.
He quickly catches another, but this one looks very close to the minimum size limit.
Crochet pulls the hooks with pliers before dropping the fish into his livewell. It measured, but barely.
Crochet pulls the hooks with pliers before dropping the fish into his livewell. It measured, but barely.
Cherokee Lake offers some spectacular views. Simply a beautiful place.
Cherokee Lake offers some spectacular views. Simply a beautiful place.
As Crochet scoots across the creek, you can see the concern on his face.
As Crochet scoots across the creek, you can see the concern on his face.
After a few more casts, he packs up for a run back down the lake. Hopefully his afternoon was more productive than his morning.
After a few more casts, he packs up for a run back down the lake. Hopefully his afternoon was more productive than his morning.