Day 2 on Champlain

Day 2 on Lake Champlain started out a little calmer than Day 1, with clearing skies and a light breeze.
Day 2 on Lake Champlain started out a little calmer than Day 1, with clearing skies and a light breeze.
We first came across Alton Jones, Jr., who needs to have a strong day to move up in the overall points standings and hopefully qualify for the 2017 Bassmaster Elite Series.
We first came across Alton Jones, Jr., who needs to have a strong day to move up in the overall points standings and hopefully qualify for the 2017 Bassmaster Elite Series.
He had four fish in the box for 15 pounds, and was hooked up with fish number five.
He had four fish in the box for 15 pounds, and was hooked up with fish number five.
The smallmouth went totally airborne while trying to throw the hook.
The smallmouth went totally airborne while trying to throw the hook.
Jones reacts as quickly as possible to get the fish under control.
Jones reacts as quickly as possible to get the fish under control.
Jones grabs the fish around the belly and lifts it over the side of the boat.
Jones grabs the fish around the belly and lifts it over the side of the boat.
That's a limit!
That’s a limit!
And hopefully it will punch his ticket to the Elite Series.
And hopefully it will punch his ticket to the Elite Series.
With a celebratory fist pump, Jones unhooks the fish and takes it the livewell…
With a celebratory fist pump, Jones unhooks the fish and takes it the livewell…
(That’s 5)
(That’s 5)
…stopping for a high five from his co-angler.
…stopping for a high five from his co-angler.
All smiles from Jones as he heads off to “do a little practicing.”
All smiles from Jones as he heads off to “do a little practicing.”
Jones reached up to format his electronics to start graphing for the final day of competition.
Jones reached up to format his electronics to start graphing for the final day of competition.
Several miles away was Brett Carnright, who started the day in fifth place.
Several miles away was Brett Carnright, who started the day in fifth place.
Carnright was spot hopping and making drops on different areas as he went. As we moved from one to another we passed Elite pro Jonathon VanDam.
Carnright was spot hopping and making drops on different areas as he went. As we moved from one to another we passed Elite pro Jonathon VanDam.
Carnright caught several back-to-back small fish.
Carnright caught several back-to-back small fish.
A short way away, David Dudley and his co-angler were finding a few fish.
A short way away, David Dudley and his co-angler were finding a few fish.
Carl Jocumsen had a strong Day 1 bag and could be a threat on Friday if he can replicate his weight.
Carl Jocumsen had a strong Day 1 bag and could be a threat on Friday if he can replicate his weight.
When we found him he had a limit, but had a couple small fish he wanted to cull.
When we found him he had a limit, but had a couple small fish he wanted to cull.
He set the hook on what looked like a small fish.
He set the hook on what looked like a small fish.
The next drop he sets the hook again, but this time the fish fought a bit harder.
The next drop he sets the hook again, but this time the fish fought a bit harder.
Carl boat flips the fish, this one a bit bigger.
Carl boat flips the fish, this one a bit bigger.
He makes a quick cull...
He makes a quick cull…
…and softly releases the smaller fish.
…and softly releases the smaller fish.
Back over with Brett Carnright as he lays into a big largemouth.
Back over with Brett Carnright as he lays into a big largemouth.
He swings the fish over the side and into his boat.
He swings the fish over the side and into his boat.
He takes a deep breath as a little weight is lifted off his shoulders.
He takes a deep breath as a little weight is lifted off his shoulders.
Talk about an awesome cull.
Talk about an awesome cull.
Carnright makes another flip…
Carnright makes another flip…
…and sets the hook hard!
…and sets the hook hard!
The fish below goes crazy and thrashes alongside the boat.
The fish below goes crazy and thrashes alongside the boat.
Carnright steers the fish along.
Carnright steers the fish along.
The fish goes airborne...
The fish goes airborne…
Carnright is able to lean in and lip the fish.
Carnright is able to lean in and lip the fish.
He gets a quick weight.
He gets a quick weight.
Then makes a cull.
Then makes a cull.
Not four flips later, Carnright was hooked up again and this time with a giant.
Not four flips later, Carnright was hooked up again and this time with a giant.
The fish dances along the surface as Carnright goes low to land his catch.
The fish dances along the surface as Carnright goes low to land his catch.
He grabs the fish’s lower lip and lifts it out of the water. The fight is over.
He grabs the fish’s lower lip and lifts it out of the water. The fight is over.
He lets out a yell as he brings the fish in.
He lets out a yell as he brings the fish in.
That’s the right kind.
That’s the right kind.
When we left Carnright, he had roughly 18 pounds of Lake Champlain bass and was hungry for a 20-pound sack. Make sure to tune unto the live weigh-in on Bassmaster.com to find out if he made it happen.
When we left Carnright, he had roughly 18 pounds of Lake Champlain bass and was hungry for a 20-pound sack. Make sure to tune unto the live weigh-in on Bassmaster.com to find out if he made it happen.