Downey's solid start to Day 2

Bob Downey went into Day 2 of the AFTCO Bassmaster Elite at St. Johns River in second place with 27-4, just 12 ounces behind leader John Crews. I met him in Salt Spring, where he put together his hefty limit of bass yesterday.

Downey and Micah Frazier, who sat in fourth after Day 1, started only about 100 yards from each other. Frazier worked his way farther into the creek, but remained within a quarter mile of Downey’s honey hole.

Downey never moved very far from where we found him. He traded out baits early, making circles around a stretch of water no more than 25 yards long.

There was apparently spotty vegetation in the creek, but because Downey often had to clean his lures.

Downey did move to fish up against the reeds of the bank, just to keep the bass honest.

However, he would quickly return to the small area that he told me was a small depression. “It’s slower today,” he said. “Yesterday was colder and there was some wind, so I think that might have pushed them into it.”

Downey finally picked up a lipless crank bait.

That lure quickly scored a hit.

It was soon apparent this wasn’t a small bass, and the fight was on to wrestle the fish to the side of the boat.

Downey had to run around the boat to keep up with the bass, which didn’t seem to want to cooperate.

Finally, Downey pulled the fish close to his boat, but the bass still wasn’t giving up.

However, the bass was soon in hand, and it was a really solid start to Downey’s day.

An excited Downey showed off the big bass to B.A.S.S. LIVE viewers.

The angler then showed the bait responsible for the catch.

The fish weighed in at 6 pounds, 8 ounces, giving Downey a solid start on another heavy limit.

Downey celebrated the catch with cameraman Tres Bruce.

Downey quickly got back to work, making another cast into the depression.

A couple of anglers, who told us they drove for 90 minutes to come fish the creek, stopped to watch Downey work the area.

Downey remained focused on the same small area, but he admitted he probably needed some help from the weather. “I think if the wind would blow a little bit, it would push them in there,” he said.

We eased off to work up the morning gallery, and the wind still had not started blowing. But Downey didn’t seem inclined to give up on his honey hole. “This is where I caught all my fish yesterday,” he said.