Open: Douglas Lake Day 2 launch

Day 2 is coming up for the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Southern Open on Douglas Lake.
Day 2 is coming up for the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Southern Open on Douglas Lake.
Today much is at stake. Tomorrow only 12 of those floating boat number fobs will be handed out.
Today much is at stake. Tomorrow only 12 of those floating boat number fobs will be handed out.
This is the final event of the season for the Southern Opens. The season began in January at Lake Kissimmee and continued in early April at Smith Lake.
This is the final event of the season for the Southern Opens. The season began in January at Lake Kissimmee and continued in early April at Smith Lake.
The order of takeoff gets reversed today. The boats leaving the dock yesterday in the last flight now get to leave in the front of the line.
The order of takeoff gets reversed today. The boats leaving the dock yesterday in the last flight now get to leave in the front of the line.
It’s about 6 a.m. and the boats are gathering at the takeoff area at The Point Marina.
It’s about 6 a.m. and the boats are gathering at the takeoff area at The Point Marina.
Hunter Shryock makes final preparations for his gear before the takeoff time of 6:15 a.m.
Hunter Shryock makes final preparations for his gear before the takeoff time of 6:15 a.m.
That time is near with the playing of the national anthem.
That time is near with the playing of the national anthem.
It’s one minute until takeoff with the first boats scheduled to return at 2:15 p.m. EDT.
It’s one minute until takeoff with the first boats scheduled to return at 2:15 p.m. EDT.
Darrell Pons, Travis Dehart and Ryan Hoover are the first three boats to leave the dock.
Darrell Pons, Travis Dehart and Ryan Hoover are the first three boats to leave the dock.
Today all 150 boats will leave the dock. Tomorrow it’s the Top 12.
Today all 150 boats will leave the dock. Tomorrow it’s the Top 12.
The tournament limit is 5 bass for boaters and 3 fish for the non-boaters. Smallmouth, spotted bass and largemouth bass live here and all are getting caught in the tournament.
The tournament limit is 5 bass for boaters and 3 fish for the non-boaters. Smallmouth, spotted bass and largemouth bass live here and all are getting caught in the tournament.
The anglers in these boats are chasing post-spawn bass on Douglas Lake. That will mean a lot of running as the anglers try to pin down migrating bass between shallow and deep water.
The anglers in these boats are chasing post-spawn bass on Douglas Lake. That will mean a lot of running as the anglers try to pin down migrating bass between shallow and deep water.
Mark Rose is one of those anglers. He’s in 19th place with 15 pounds, 12 ounces.
Mark Rose is one of those anglers. He’s in 19th place with 15 pounds, 12 ounces.
Tournament leader David Mullins is another angler in the chase. He lives near the lake and is highly skilled in the ways of bass on Douglas.
Tournament leader David Mullins is another angler in the chase. He lives near the lake and is highly skilled in the ways of bass on Douglas.
The forecast calls for a 70 percent chance of rain, although that is not expected to arrive until weigh-in time.
The forecast calls for a 70 percent chance of rain, although that is not expected to arrive until weigh-in time.
The high temperature is expected to reach 74 degrees with partly cloudy skies most of the morning.
The high temperature is expected to reach 74 degrees with partly cloudy skies most of the morning.
Gary Clouse, president of Phoenix Boats, is about to enjoy a morning boat ride across the lake.
Gary Clouse, president of Phoenix Boats, is about to enjoy a morning boat ride across the lake.
Many boats are heading east toward the upper reaches of the lake.
Many boats are heading east toward the upper reaches of the lake.
Up lake is the Nolichucky River and French Broad River.
Up lake is the Nolichucky River and French Broad River.
Stetson Blaylock, who is fishing for an invitation in the Bassmaster Elite Series, will likely stay in the main lake.
Stetson Blaylock, who is fishing for an invitation in the Bassmaster Elite Series, will likely stay in the main lake.
Who will not is Ott DeFoe, who will venture up one of the rivers in his tunnel-hull aluminum rig made by Tracker Boats.
Who will not is Ott DeFoe, who will venture up one of the rivers in his tunnel-hull aluminum rig made by Tracker Boats.
Before he does that Ott gets a good luck handshake from his dad, Bud.
Before he does that Ott gets a good luck handshake from his dad, Bud.