Early action on Chickamauga

Opens anglers are already finding keepers as Day 1 of the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Southern Open #2 gets underway.
Opens anglers are already finding keepers as Day 1 of the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Southern Open #2 gets underway.
Second-year Elite Series pro John Hunter was the first angler I found on Thursday.
Second-year Elite Series pro John Hunter was the first angler I found on Thursday.
Hunter hooked up and landed a small largemouth, one that didn't meet the 15-inch length requirement.
Hunter hooked up and landed a small largemouth, one that didn’t meet the 15-inch length requirement.
He fired his bait back onto his spot.
He fired his bait back onto his spot.
David Kilgore drives by on his way to another spot.
David Kilgore drives by on his way to another spot.
Hunter catches another fish.
Hunter catches another fish.
But it doesn't pass the eye test for Hunter.
But it doesn’t pass the eye test for Hunter.
Another angler hooked up across the river.
Another angler hooked up across the river.
And swung in a fish that looked to be long enough to keep.
And swung in a fish that looked to be long enough to keep.
Justin Lucas launches a cast.
Justin Lucas launches a cast.
Then he gets a closer look at his electronics.
Then he gets a closer look at his electronics.
Co-angler Chad Smith hooks up.
Co-angler Chad Smith hooks up.
And swings in a spotted bass.
And swings in a spotted bass.
It was a keeper for Smith. Spotted bass only have to be 12 inches while largemouth are 15 and smallmouth are 18 inches.
It was a keeper for Smith. Spotted bass only have to be 12 inches while largemouth are 15 and smallmouth are 18 inches.
Charlie Hartley drives by.
Charlie Hartley drives by.
And then Lucas takes off to another spot.
And then Lucas takes off to another spot.
Terry Scroggins cruises down Chickamauga.
Terry Scroggins cruises down Chickamauga.
Michael Murphy hooks up off in the distance.
Michael Murphy hooks up off in the distance.
And lands a fish.
And lands a fish.
Russ Lane was fishing much closer to my position and was making repeated casts to a spot.
Russ Lane was fishing much closer to my position and was making repeated casts to a spot.
Lane was heaving out his bait looking for a reaction bite.
Lane was heaving out his bait looking for a reaction bite.
Joe Sancho drives by as he enters a creek.
Joe Sancho drives by as he enters a creek.
Brandon Johnson fishes in proximity to Shin Fukae.
Brandon Johnson fishes in proximity to Shin Fukae.
Johnson was heaving his bait to the perfect distance.
Johnson was heaving his bait to the perfect distance.
Fukae hooks up just passed Johnson.
Fukae hooks up just passed Johnson.
He swings in a fish that didn't help his total.
He swings in a fish that didn’t help his total.
Meanwhile, Johnson's co-angler Glenn Bailey hooks up.
Meanwhile, Johnson’s co-angler Glenn Bailey hooks up.
He lands the fish.
He lands the fish.
And it goes in the box.
And it goes in the box.
Fukae re-rigs his tackle.
Fukae re-rigs his tackle.
Johnson caught one, but of the wrong variety.
Johnson caught one, but of the wrong variety.
But then Johnson hooked up with another fish.
But then Johnson hooked up with another fish.
And this one may possibly be a keeper.
And this one may possibly be a keeper.
It ended up being smaller than expected because of the way it was hooked and it didn't help Johnson.
It ended up being smaller than expected because of the way it was hooked and it didn’t help Johnson.
Fukae and co-angler Jody White cover up their skin to stay protected from the sun.
Fukae and co-angler Jody White cover up their skin to stay protected from the sun.
Michael Murphy works his way around the area and fan casts.
Michael Murphy works his way around the area and fan casts.
Local stick Michael Neal was fishing at my next stop and had just boated a fish as I arrived.
Local stick Michael Neal was fishing at my next stop and had just boated a fish as I arrived.
It didn't take long until he was gone. He is in 4th place with 23 pounds.
It didn’t take long until he was gone. He is in 4th place with 23 pounds.