Day 2 with Dillow

Chris Dillow left Osborne Landing with a target on his back after he brought 18-3 to the scales on Day 1 of the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Northern Open on the James River.
Chris Dillow left Osborne Landing with a target on his back after he brought 18-3 to the scales on Day 1 of the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Northern Open on the James River.
Dillow is trying to take home the title yet again after he claimed the victory here in 2015.
Dillow is trying to take home the title yet again after he claimed the victory here in 2015.
He stayed extremely patient as he worked his shallow creek.
He stayed extremely patient as he worked his shallow creek.
He was flipping at every target possible and letting his bait soak as long as he can without getting stuck.
He was flipping at every target possible and letting his bait soak as long as he can without getting stuck.
He emerged from the shadows and into the sunlight as he continued to probe the area looking for his first bite of the day.
He emerged from the shadows and into the sunlight as he continued to probe the area looking for his first bite of the day.
After spending a good amount of time around some harsh cover, Dillow takes a moment to retie.
After spending a good amount of time around some harsh cover, Dillow takes a moment to retie.
And also stay hydrated.
And also stay hydrated.
After two hours without a bite we left in search of another Top 12 angler, but we did have plans to rejoin Dillow later. I found Cody Pike who is a Virginia native and was in 12th after Day 1.
After two hours without a bite we left in search of another Top 12 angler, but we did have plans to rejoin Dillow later. I found Cody Pike who is a Virginia native and was in 12th after Day 1.
Pike said he had a limit in the boat for about 10 pounds at the moment.
Pike said he had a limit in the boat for about 10 pounds at the moment.
But he had a great chance to upgrade as he had two very small keepers.
But he had a great chance to upgrade as he had two very small keepers.
He made a quick move right after we arrived.
He made a quick move right after we arrived.
He ran across the creek to fish one more spot.
He ran across the creek to fish one more spot.
His co-angler Antuan Vincent is fishing his first Bassmaster event.
His co-angler Antuan Vincent is fishing his first Bassmaster event.
Pike made quick work of the cover during low tide.
Pike made quick work of the cover during low tide.
You can see how much the water will rise into the cover once it becomes high tide.
You can see how much the water will rise into the cover once it becomes high tide.
Pike was headed south east down the James River and we were headed back to find Dillow.
Pike was headed south east down the James River and we were headed back to find Dillow.
He was retying some baits when we arrived.
He was retying some baits when we arrived.
He reported he had one keeper when we returned.
He reported he had one keeper when we returned.
He was throwing multiple baits to try and put the pieces to the puzzle together. He said on stage he used 5 baits to catch his Day 1 weight and had over 20 rods on deck for most of the day.
He was throwing multiple baits to try and put the pieces to the puzzle together. He said on stage he used 5 baits to catch his Day 1 weight and had over 20 rods on deck for most of the day.
...
Day 2 was no different as he had an array of setups laying at the ready.
Day 2 was no different as he had an array of setups laying at the ready.
His co-angler, Brent Pannill of Virginia was also chunking around multiple baits from the back of the boat.
His co-angler, Brent Pannill of Virginia was also chunking around multiple baits from the back of the boat.
A bird is perched on a rock that Dillow was targeting.
A bird is perched on a rock that Dillow was targeting.
Dillow changed spots and as the clock ticked every stop was fished faster and faster as he needed keeper fish fast.
Dillow changed spots and as the clock ticked every stop was fished faster and faster as he needed keeper fish fast.
Rob McSweeny flies by and waves.
Rob McSweeny flies by and waves.
Low tide exposed some of the obstructions under the water.
Low tide exposed some of the obstructions under the water.
Another type of angler was probing the banks as well.
Another type of angler was probing the banks as well.
Low tide also exposed other types of cover that come with an industrial fishery.
Low tide also exposed other types of cover that come with an industrial fishery.
Dillow tried to make every place work and he threw different baits at every place he stopped.
Dillow tried to make every place work and he threw different baits at every place he stopped.
So he finally headed out to his next spot.
So he finally headed out to his next spot.
Pannill’s neck gator was unique to say the least.
Pannill’s neck gator was unique to say the least.
We finally leave Dillow as he was headed farther south.
We finally leave Dillow as he was headed farther south.
A big barge had just passed by and it made it harder than normal for Dillow to take off.
A big barge had just passed by and it made it harder than normal for Dillow to take off.
The Day 1 leader had one fish at 11:30 a.m. but wasn’t giving up and he knew that any spot could be the next flurry based on the changing tide.
The Day 1 leader had one fish at 11:30 a.m. but wasn’t giving up and he knew that any spot could be the next flurry based on the changing tide.