Jones on Grand Lake

Posted on
We started Day 2 of the Geico Bassmaster Classic with Alton Jones who started in third place after catching 17-13 on Day 1.
We started Day 2 of the Geico Bassmaster Classic with Alton Jones who started in third place after catching 17-13 on Day 1.
Jones started Day 2 in a new area and ran 15 minutes to get there.
Jones started Day 2 in a new area and ran 15 minutes to get there.
This was a make-or-break spot for Jones as he said he would either catch some good ones or he would head to spot number two with zero in the boat.
This was a make-or-break spot for Jones as he said he would either catch some good ones or he would head to spot number two with zero in the boat.
He had an early flotilla of fans following him, including this fan that is turning 40 years old today.
He had an early flotilla of fans following him, including this fan that is turning 40 years old today.
Jones only got one bite in the spot…
Jones only got one bite in the spot…
... And it was a small one so he picks up the trolling motor with two in the boat and heads to his second spot.
… And it was a small one so he picks up the trolling motor with two in the boat and heads to his second spot.
After an unsuccessful second stop, Jones returns to where he did the majority of his damage on Day 1.
After an unsuccessful second stop, Jones returns to where he did the majority of his damage on Day 1.
James Watson was idling out of the cove when Jones arrived. Watson fished this area on Day 1 as well, but both anglers are relying on two different styles of fishing in order to boat their keepers.
James Watson was idling out of the cove when Jones arrived. Watson fished this area on Day 1 as well, but both anglers are relying on two different styles of fishing in order to boat their keepers.
Jones decided to move within the creek moments after Watson left. Watson probably had already fished this spot and Jones wanted to try and fish some fresh water before it got too late in the day.
Jones decided to move within the creek moments after Watson left. Watson probably had already fished this spot and Jones wanted to try and fish some fresh water before it got too late in the day.
As he idles out, Michael Iaconelli arrives in the creek.
As he idles out, Michael Iaconelli arrives in the creek.
Watson had some competition on his next spot.
Watson had some competition on his next spot.
Meanwhile Jones grinded away and was searching for his first keeper of the day.
Meanwhile Jones grinded away and was searching for his first keeper of the day.
Fans looked on from numerous boats that gathered to watch Jones.
Fans looked on from numerous boats that gathered to watch Jones.
Alton made an adjustment on his bait before presenting it around a dock.
Alton made an adjustment on his bait before presenting it around a dock.
Meanwhile, Watson keeps plugging away down the bank.
Meanwhile, Watson keeps plugging away down the bank.
Jones decides to hit a key stretch of docks real quick.
Jones decides to hit a key stretch of docks real quick.
So he takes off in order to save time.
So he takes off in order to save time.
Like he had imagined, Jones hooks up at the sweet spot…
Like he had imagined, Jones hooks up at the sweet spot…
But it came off after about three cranks of the reel. Jones told his cameraman that it was a five pounder and that he had boated a four-pounder from this spot yesterday.
But it came off after about three cranks of the reel. Jones told his cameraman that it was a five pounder and that he had boated a four-pounder from this spot yesterday.
A couple casts later and Jones hooks up again.
A couple casts later and Jones hooks up again.
This time it wasn’t the right kind as he informs the crowd it was a drum.
This time it wasn’t the right kind as he informs the crowd it was a drum.
Jones unhooks the drum and releases it back into Grand Lake.
Jones unhooks the drum and releases it back into Grand Lake.
He remains positive despite having an empty livewell at 10 a.m.
He remains positive despite having an empty livewell at 10 a.m.
Then he hooks up.
Then he hooks up.
He decides to boat flip this fish, but he struggles to get it over the gunnel of the boat at first.
He decides to boat flip this fish, but he struggles to get it over the gunnel of the boat at first.
Then he successfully boat flips a four-pounder. This was his first keeper and not a bad way to break the ice.
Then he successfully boat flips a four-pounder. This was his first keeper and not a bad way to break the ice.
Fist pump from Jones who knows he is on the right quality, but he just needs enough bites.
Fist pump from Jones who knows he is on the right quality, but he just needs enough bites.
He shows it off to the 30 or so boats that are following him.
He shows it off to the 30 or so boats that are following him.
His close friend David Ridley holds up a cardboard cutout of Jones.
His close friend David Ridley holds up a cardboard cutout of Jones.
After making a short move within the creek, Jones targets a dock with a big tree hanging in the water.
After making a short move within the creek, Jones targets a dock with a big tree hanging in the water.
A young bass fishing fan watches on as Jones goes to work.
A young bass fishing fan watches on as Jones goes to work.
Jones stays poised, making precise casts all day. He could put his bait anywhere he wanted to, it seemed.
Jones stays poised, making precise casts all day. He could put his bait anywhere he wanted to, it seemed.
It starts out chilly on the morning of Day 2, but it heats up pretty fast.
It starts out chilly on the morning of Day 2, but it heats up pretty fast.
After hydrating, Jones hooks up at a nearby rock point.
After hydrating, Jones hooks up at a nearby rock point.
“This is a good one,” Jones said.
“This is a good one,” Jones said.
He boat flips another four-pounder and that makes two keepers or roughly eight pounds for the Texas native.
He boat flips another four-pounder and that makes two keepers or roughly eight pounds for the Texas native.
Hooking up on Bassmaster LIVE is pretty cool as millions of viewers at home get to ride around live with a Bassmaster angler and see exactly how he likes to fish.
Hooking up on Bassmaster LIVE is pretty cool as millions of viewers at home get to ride around live with a Bassmaster angler and see exactly how he likes to fish.
Look how it ate his bait. I think it wanted that.
Look how it ate his bait. I think it wanted that.
Jones idles past a shallow flat to fish a long stretch of docks, hoping to put three more keepers in the boat.
Jones idles past a shallow flat to fish a long stretch of docks, hoping to put three more keepers in the boat.
He has plenty of people watching his every move.
He has plenty of people watching his every move.
He works the docks thoroughly and takes close to five minutes per dock that he believes to have a fish on it.
He works the docks thoroughly and takes close to five minutes per dock that he believes to have a fish on it.
Then he makes his way to a fallen tree. Jones hasn’t had much luck on wood this week it seems. It's unclear whether it's because it all washed into these areas from the flood or if the bass are just keying in on one type of structure.
Then he makes his way to a fallen tree. Jones hasn’t had much luck on wood this week it seems. It’s unclear whether it’s because it all washed into these areas from the flood or if the bass are just keying in on one type of structure.
Jones sets the hook!
Jones sets the hook!
Possible keeper number three thrashes in the air as Jones swings it into the boat.
Possible keeper number three thrashes in the air as Jones swings it into the boat.
This is a chunky fish. It isn’t long, but it is fat. Either way it's number three.
This is a chunky fish. It isn’t long, but it is fat. Either way it’s number three.
He puts a cull tag in this one, hoping to get rid of it later, and puts it in the livewell.
He puts a cull tag in this one, hoping to get rid of it later, and puts it in the livewell.
Fist pump full of elation as he is one more closer to his limit.
Fist pump full of elation as he is one more closer to his limit.
Jones hooks up again from around a rocky and dock-filled bank.
Jones hooks up again from around a rocky and dock-filled bank.
This one is a fighter, but it may keep. It’ll be close.
This one is a fighter, but it may keep. It’ll be close.
But Jones will never find out as it comes off right at the boat.
But Jones will never find out as it comes off right at the boat.
It didn’t take long as he hooks up again.
It didn’t take long as he hooks up again.
But it doesn’t seem like the size is what he would like on these two docks.
But it doesn’t seem like the size is what he would like on these two docks.
This one won’t measure 14 inches so he releases and keeps fishing. Getting bites is good on a tough day. Will he get enough to fill his limit though?
This one won’t measure 14 inches so he releases and keeps fishing. Getting bites is good on a tough day. Will he get enough to fill his limit though?
A fan on a dock snaps a photo of Jones, as he is still positive and smiling with fans.
A fan on a dock snaps a photo of Jones, as he is still positive and smiling with fans.
Jones makes one last move before heading to the ramp.
Jones makes one last move before heading to the ramp.
That final move pays off as he boats a keeper moments before heading into the takeoff ramp. He ended Day 2 with four fish for roughly 11 to 12 pounds and may stay in contention going into the final day.
That final move pays off as he boats a keeper moments before heading into the takeoff ramp. He ended Day 2 with four fish for roughly 11 to 12 pounds and may stay in contention going into the final day.