Gross grabbin’ ’em early Day 2

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Buddy Gross started Day 2 of the SiteOne Bassmaster Elite at Harris Chain in third place, just 4 ounces behind Day 1 leader Brandon Lester. I caught up with him in Lake Harris and followed him for the first couple of hours of his day.
Buddy Gross started Day 2 of the SiteOne Bassmaster Elite at Harris Chain in third place, just 4 ounces behind Day 1 leader Brandon Lester. I caught up with him in Lake Harris and followed him for the first couple of hours of his day.
He started the day using a lipless crank bait, casting it just off windblown shoreline grass.
He started the day using a lipless crank bait, casting it just off windblown shoreline grass.
Gross stayed close to flooded shoreline vegetation all morning.
Gross stayed close to flooded shoreline vegetation all morning.
The Tennessee pro made repeated casts along the edges of this vegetation, occasionally tipping the grass with his lures.
The Tennessee pro made repeated casts along the edges of this vegetation, occasionally tipping the grass with his lures.
Elite angler Bryan New was just across little bay from Gross, but he didn’t stay long.
Elite angler Bryan New was just across little bay from Gross, but he didn’t stay long.
Gross would give a spot 10 or 15 minutes, and then pull up and move to another location.
Gross would give a spot 10 or 15 minutes, and then pull up and move to another location.
He never strayed from his focus on shoreline grass points.
He never strayed from his focus on shoreline grass points.
The approach paid off early when a bass that turned out to be a 5-pounder struck his lipless crank bait. “It was just skin-hooked,” Gross said.
The approach paid off early when a bass that turned out to be a 5-pounder struck his lipless crank bait. “It was just skin-hooked,” Gross said.
Gross stuck with his crank bait early in the morning, but he had other options available on his deck.
Gross stuck with his crank bait early in the morning, but he had other options available on his deck.
After a few moves it became evident that windblown with shoreline grass were key to Gross’ strategy.
After a few moves it became evident that windblown with shoreline grass were key to Gross’ strategy.
By about 9 a.m., Gross was alternating through his lure selections. He kept the lipless crank bait close, but also used a vibrating jig and a Carolina rig.
By about 9 a.m., Gross was alternating through his lure selections. He kept the lipless crank bait close, but also used a vibrating jig and a Carolina rig.
He kept moving every 15 minutes or so until I headed out to work up this gallery of his morning.
He kept moving every 15 minutes or so until I headed out to work up this gallery of his morning.