Open: Day 2 behind the scenes

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As the final weigh-in was about to kick off at the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Southern Open #2 on Alabama's Lewis Smith Lake, a large crowd of local Bassmaster fans had gathered to see how the event unfolded.
As the final weigh-in was about to kick off at the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Southern Open #2 on Alabama’s Lewis Smith Lake, a large crowd of local Bassmaster fans had gathered to see how the event unfolded.
With fantastic springtime weather overhead, the crowd is clearly enjoying the scenery, comfortable conditions and big bass.
With fantastic springtime weather overhead, the crowd is clearly enjoying the scenery, comfortable conditions and big bass.
Some of America's finest are on-hand to answer questions and talk about what they do. With out their willingness to sacrifice, a bass tournament like this wouldn't be a possibility.
Some of America’s finest are on-hand to answer questions and talk about what they do. With out their willingness to sacrifice, a bass tournament like this wouldn’t be a possibility.
As the first few flights of competitors filter in, the line behind the weigh-in stage gets longer. Big bass coming...
As the first few flights of competitors filter in, the line behind the weigh-in stage gets longer. Big bass coming…
Boats pull up to the dock, co-anglers hop off to grab trucks and trailers.
Boats pull up to the dock, co-anglers hop off to grab trucks and trailers.
The process of trailering boats is one that is impressively accomplished by some of the best in the biz.
The process of trailering boats is one that is impressively accomplished by some of the best in the biz.
Stetson Blaylock is loaded and ready to weigh his day's catch.
Stetson Blaylock is loaded and ready to weigh his day’s catch.
Even the fans enjoy watching the process.
Even the fans enjoy watching the process.
The competitors must wait in line for the limited space at the water tanks, which keeps the bass fresh while they await weigh-in. The line continues to build as more flights of anglers arrive at the launch.
The competitors must wait in line for the limited space at the water tanks, which keeps the bass fresh while they await weigh-in. The line continues to build as more flights of anglers arrive at the launch.
And sometimes there's a need for a small motorcycle.
And sometimes there’s a need for a small motorcycle.
Local volunteers help unload the fish from the bags of water as the anglers proceed to the water tanks.
Local volunteers help unload the fish from the bags of water as the anglers proceed to the water tanks.
Each pro and co-angler must wait their turn to walk across the stage to have their day's catch officially weighed.
Each pro and co-angler must wait their turn to walk across the stage to have their day’s catch officially weighed.
Clay Dyer and Brandon Palaniuk talk about how their day went.
Clay Dyer and Brandon Palaniuk talk about how their day went.
As the sun beams down on the water tanks, ice is brought in to keep the water at ideal temperatures in order to keep the fish healthy.
As the sun beams down on the water tanks, ice is brought in to keep the water at ideal temperatures in order to keep the fish healthy.
A drastic increase in water temperature can stress the bass out, so the ice helps in maintaining the correct temp.
A drastic increase in water temperature can stress the bass out, so the ice helps in maintaining the correct temp.
The fish begin to be weighed.
The fish begin to be weighed.
Emcee Chris Bowes keeps things moving as each bag of fish hits the scales.
Emcee Chris Bowes keeps things moving as each bag of fish hits the scales.
Anxieties begin to build as the champion is closer to claiming his prize.
Anxieties begin to build as the champion is closer to claiming his prize.
Immediately after the fish are weighed and recorded, the Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries is on hand to record the data of every fish weighed in. This will help them determine fish populations and overall health.
Immediately after the fish are weighed and recorded, the Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries is on hand to record the data of every fish weighed in. This will help them determine fish populations and overall health.
A spotted bass is bumped before moving to the live-release boats.
A spotted bass is bumped before moving to the live-release boats.
The Cold Springs Fishing Team has volunteered to help move the fish from the stage to the live-release boats. This help they provided is essential to keep all the fish alive and healthy.
The Cold Springs Fishing Team has volunteered to help move the fish from the stage to the live-release boats. This help they provided is essential to keep all the fish alive and healthy.
The live-release boats are basically giant livewells. Full of lake water, they proceed to undisclosed locations and release the fish.
The live-release boats are basically giant livewells. Full of lake water, they proceed to undisclosed locations and release the fish.
There appears to be an unmanned boat floating in the lake just beyond the docks. The new Nitro Z21 is clearly the kind of rig that will drive itself. You'd be surprised at how often this sort of thing can happen. With all the anglers and fans walking around the docks, it's pretty easy for a secure knot to get tripped on, or bumped loose. Factor in the wind and the knot could even pull loose.
There appears to be an unmanned boat floating in the lake just beyond the docks. The new Nitro Z21 is clearly the kind of rig that will drive itself. You’d be surprised at how often this sort of thing can happen. With all the anglers and fans walking around the docks, it’s pretty easy for a secure knot to get tripped on, or bumped loose. Factor in the wind and the knot could even pull loose.
Josh Douglas to the rescue. The angler was the first to react to the fishermanless boat, and began to bring it back to the dock.
Josh Douglas to the rescue. The angler was the first to react to the fishermanless boat, and began to bring it back to the dock.
Once he has the rig securely in his grip, he slowly works it back to the dock. But who's boat is it?
Once he has the rig securely in his grip, he slowly works it back to the dock. But who’s boat is it?
Elite Series pro Jason Williamson recognizes the Nitro Z21 boat wrap, and is baffled at how his rig pulled free from the docks.
Elite Series pro Jason Williamson recognizes the Nitro Z21 boat wrap, and is baffled at how his rig pulled free from the docks.
No harm, no foul. Williamson regains control is his pretty boat and heads to the trailer. It happens to the best of them.
No harm, no foul. Williamson regains control is his pretty boat and heads to the trailer. It happens to the best of them.
As the competitors continue to weigh in, some are willing to show off their big fish, like this beautiful spotted bass.
As the competitors continue to weigh in, some are willing to show off their big fish, like this beautiful spotted bass.
Brandon Lester has a pretty good one.
Brandon Lester has a pretty good one.
Joey Nania also has a decent fish about to hit the scales.
Joey Nania also has a decent fish about to hit the scales.
Bill Day shows off a big largemouth he caught.
Bill Day shows off a big largemouth he caught.
The weigh-in continues and we get closer to learning who caught them the best on Smith Lake.
The weigh-in continues and we get closer to learning who caught them the best on Smith Lake.
Darrell Pons has a nice spot headed to the scales.
Darrell Pons has a nice spot headed to the scales.
Michael Murphy caught a nice bass that will certainly help his two-day weight.
Michael Murphy caught a nice bass that will certainly help his two-day weight.
Elite Series pro Ott DeFoe holds up a couple of nice fish with his young children by his side. It's great to see so many of these anglers deeply involve their kids in the sport.
Elite Series pro Ott DeFoe holds up a couple of nice fish with his young children by his side. It’s great to see so many of these anglers deeply involve their kids in the sport.
Finally the moment. Local stick Jesse Wiggins wins the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Southern Open #2 on Alabama's Lewis Smith Lake.
Finally the moment. Local stick Jesse Wiggins wins the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Southern Open #2 on Alabama’s Lewis Smith Lake.
Your champion, Jesse Wiggins weighed a two-day total of 34-2.
Your champion, Jesse Wiggins weighed a two-day total of 34-2.