Opens: Behind the scenes on the Alabama River

Step behind the scenes of the Bass Pro Shops Southern Open presented by Allstate on the Alabama River.

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Jamie Horton comes to the scales after a frustrating Day 2. Day 1's bag was near 20 pounds; today he has five small fish.
Jamie Horton comes to the scales after a frustrating Day 2. Day 1’s bag was near 20 pounds; today he has five small fish.
Scott Canterbury and others wait their turn to head on stage.
Scott Canterbury and others wait their turn to head on stage.
Shinichi Fukae doesn't look like he's feeling too good about his chances.
Shinichi Fukae doesn’t look like he’s feeling too good about his chances.
Brandon McMillan sits in good shape to make the Top 12 cut.
Brandon McMillan sits in good shape to make the Top 12 cut.
The bag line doesn't look like a fun place to be in the rain.
The bag line doesn’t look like a fun place to be in the rain.
The crowd suffers through the rain...
The crowd suffers through the rain…
...but some folks don't have it too bad.
…but some folks don’t have it too bad.
B.A.S.S. Tournament Director Trip Weldon watches from beneath the hardwoods and Spanish moss as anglers head in.
B.A.S.S. Tournament Director Trip Weldon watches from beneath the hardwoods and Spanish moss as anglers head in.
Alton Jones Jr heads to the boat to bag his fish.
Alton Jones Jr heads to the boat to bag his fish.
Guy Eaker makes his way in.
Guy Eaker makes his way in.
Jamie Horton is ready to load his boat.
Jamie Horton is ready to load his boat.
Day 1 leader Dustin Connell makes it in.
Day 1 leader Dustin Connell makes it in.
Horton stops to chat with Connell.
Horton stops to chat with Connell.
After a tough morning, Connell was able to recover and catch a limit...
After a tough morning, Connell was able to recover and catch a limit…
...but will it be enough to hold off other top anglers from Day 1 like Jeremy Prouty.
…but will it be enough to hold off other top anglers from Day 1 like Jeremy Prouty.
Darrell Davis tells the story about catching this umbrella rig on Day 2.
Darrell Davis tells the story about catching this umbrella rig on Day 2.
Prouty puts it on the trailer.
Prouty puts it on the trailer.
Brock Mosely...
Brock Mosely…
...also heads up the hill.
…also heads up the hill.
Chris Lane is ready to dry off.
Chris Lane is ready to dry off.
Terry Scroggins doesn't look happy with the weather.
Terry Scroggins doesn’t look happy with the weather.
Chris Lane's co-angler helps load his boat.
Chris Lane’s co-angler helps load his boat.
'A little further.'
‘A little further.’
Time to head up the hill.
Time to head up the hill.
Trevor Fitzgerald rolls in.
Trevor Fitzgerald rolls in.
A soggy day didn't keep the fans away...
A soggy day didn’t keep the fans away…
...and certainly didn't stop the anglers.
…and certainly didn’t stop the anglers.
Jordan Lee heads in ready to hit the scales and see if he can stay in the Top 12.
Jordan Lee heads in ready to hit the scales and see if he can stay in the Top 12.
Paul Elias is ready to dry off.
Paul Elias is ready to dry off.
Front row seats for all the action.
Front row seats for all the action.
Guy Eaker gets ready to load his fish under the Spanish moss.
Guy Eaker gets ready to load his fish under the Spanish moss.
A nice one.
A nice one.
Chad Grigsby readys himself to weigh in.
Chad Grigsby readys himself to weigh in.
Gerald Swindle is doing what he does best.
Gerald Swindle is doing what he does best.
Brett Preuett looking to hold onto his second Top 12 cut in a row after finishing in the Top 12 at Central Open on Ross Barnett.
Brett Preuett looking to hold onto his second Top 12 cut in a row after finishing in the Top 12 at Central Open on Ross Barnett.
Michael Neal also hoping to hold on.
Michael Neal also hoping to hold on.
The fish head to the release boat as soon as they leave the scales.
The fish head to the release boat as soon as they leave the scales.
Back in the water they go, to be returned to the river.
Back in the water they go, to be returned to the river.
The rain has finally stopped and all the fans are appreciative.
The rain has finally stopped and all the fans are appreciative.
B.A.S.S. Tournament Director Trip Weldon runs bags to the waiting anglers.
B.A.S.S. Tournament Director Trip Weldon runs bags to the waiting anglers.
Fans, friends and family snap pictures of the event.
Fans, friends and family snap pictures of the event.
B.A.S.S. writer Mark Hicks seeks a little refreshment between interviews.
B.A.S.S. writer Mark Hicks seeks a little refreshment between interviews.
Guy Eaker puts on a show for the fans.
Guy Eaker puts on a show for the fans.
Checking in on where he's at in the standings.
Checking in on where he’s at in the standings.
Drew Benton feeling good...
Drew Benton feeling good…
As he chats with fellow Floridian and Top 12 contender Brandon McMillan.
As he chats with fellow Floridian and Top 12 contender Brandon McMillan.
Waiting on a ride.
Waiting on a ride.
Headed to the scales.
Headed to the scales.
The City of Prattville constantly bussing people to and from the ramp.
The City of Prattville constantly bussing people to and from the ramp.
Co-anglers head for their trucks.
Co-anglers head for their trucks.
Dustin Connell waits and wonders if he has enough to maintain his lead.
Dustin Connell waits and wonders if he has enough to maintain his lead.
Matt Herren readies to take out.
Matt Herren readies to take out.
Mark Hicks interviews Jeremy Prouty for the Bassmster.com story.
Mark Hicks interviews Jeremy Prouty for the Bassmster.com story.
Jordan Lee checks to see if he'll be fishing tomorrow.
Jordan Lee checks to see if he’ll be fishing tomorrow.
The weigh-in continues on as anglers bring their Alabama River catches to the scales.
The weigh-in continues on as anglers bring their Alabama River catches to the scales.
Connell calculates as he looks at the leaderboard...
Connell calculates as he looks at the leaderboard…
...and smiles once the scales lock in and he realizes he has enough to regain the lead.
…and smiles once the scales lock in and he realizes he has enough to regain the lead.
Dustin Connell leads after two days.
Dustin Connell leads after two days.
James Overstreet takes notes for his gallery.
James Overstreet takes notes for his gallery.
Friends and family look on.
Friends and family look on.
Interview time with Craig Lamb.
Interview time with Craig Lamb.