The aquatic “Cedar Point”

For the anglers competing in the Bass Pro Shops Northern Open #3 presented by Allstate, negotiating the rough waters of Lake Erie is a lot like a ride at Cedar Point, the world's largest roller coaster park, which can be seen from the lake.

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David Dudley was one of the first anglers that headed back to Sandusky Bay on Day 2 of the Bass Pro Shops Northern Open on Lake Erie. Although the event is on Lake Erie, anglers may have thought they were actually at Cedar Point.
David Dudley was one of the first anglers that headed back to Sandusky Bay on Day 2 of the Bass Pro Shops Northern Open on Lake Erie. Although the event is on Lake Erie, anglers may have thought they were actually at Cedar Point.
Carl Jocumsen heads in from a rough day on the water.
Carl Jocumsen heads in from a rough day on the water.
Everything that comes up...must come down.
Everything that comes up…must come down.
More boats race to weigh-in.
More boats race to weigh-in.
And at times they almost disappear.
And at times they almost disappear.
But they always reappear and surge over the waves...
But they always reappear and surge over the waves…
Only to crash back down into the waves.
Only to crash back down into the waves.
Anglers from this region have learned to navigate the seas of Erie.
Anglers from this region have learned to navigate the seas of Erie.
Stephen Mui comes flying in...
Stephen Mui comes flying in…
As long as nothing is broken, the ride seems to be fun at times. Everyone likes jumping waves...not.
As long as nothing is broken, the ride seems to be fun at times. Everyone likes jumping waves…not.
Waves were busting around the stationary marker towers.
Waves were busting around the stationary marker towers.
Even the occasional walleye boat was buzzing through.
Even the occasional walleye boat was buzzing through.
And they had the same result at times too.
And they had the same result at times too.
Almost disappearing completely beneath at blanket of waves.
Almost disappearing completely beneath at blanket of waves.
Other anglers took a different approach...
Other anglers took a different approach…
And they took the
And they took the “troughs” so they could go a little faster. But if you do then you have to zig zag at some point and come back across the grain.
JT Kenney blasts through to the weigh-in site.
JT Kenney blasts through to the weigh-in site.
Getting some air along the way.
Getting some air along the way.
Sometimes it seems like they were climbing a mountain...
Sometimes it seems like they were climbing a mountain…
Overall it wasn't too crazy...
Overall it wasn’t too crazy…
And anglers would give a thumbs up as a sign that they were alive and well after the ride.
And anglers would give a thumbs up as a sign that they were alive and well after the ride.
From beneath a blanket of water...
From beneath a blanket of water…
The Day 1 leader, David Reault emerged...
The Day 1 leader, David Reault emerged…
Eventually...
Eventually…
Until getting some air as he rushed back to make it on time.
Until getting some air as he rushed back to make it on time.
It was a never ending line of anglers that braved the big water.
It was a never ending line of anglers that braved the big water.
After riding in the livewell through that ride, I wouldn't doubt if those smallmouth turned a little
After riding in the livewell through that ride, I wouldn’t doubt if those smallmouth turned a little
But for the time being, these anglers seemed fine with their drive in.
But for the time being, these anglers seemed fine with their drive in.
Sometimes the only place to look is up.
Sometimes the only place to look is up.
A big cruiser yacht stirs up the waves even more.
A big cruiser yacht stirs up the waves even more.
It simulated a dishwasher and stirred everything up.
It simulated a dishwasher and stirred everything up.
Shin Fukae braves the waves...
Shin Fukae braves the waves…
And bounces towards the takeoff.
And bounces towards the takeoff.
Now you see him...
Now you see him…
Now you don't.
Now you don’t.
An angler rides the wave into Sandusky Bay.
An angler rides the wave into Sandusky Bay.
As anglers ride past Cedar Point into Sandusky Bay, I bet they can relate to these thrill seekers.
As anglers ride past Cedar Point into Sandusky Bay, I bet they can relate to these thrill seekers.
Liftoff.
Liftoff.
Big air from these guys!
Big air from these guys!
Splash down.
Splash down.
You would not catch me in a sailboat...on Lake Erie...with an east wind.
You would not catch me in a sailboat…on Lake Erie…with an east wind.
Sam George heads to weigh-in.
Sam George heads to weigh-in.
And catches some air.
And catches some air.
George was late to the Day 1 check and couldn't weigh his fish so he heads in earlier today.
George was late to the Day 1 check and couldn’t weigh his fish so he heads in earlier today.
The young Opens pro was coming in to fish a few more spots before checking in.
The young Opens pro was coming in to fish a few more spots before checking in.
He was in the final flight so he had plenty of time to fish before checking-in.
He was in the final flight so he had plenty of time to fish before checking-in.
Waves surrounded him as he came off plane..
Waves surrounded him as he came off plane..
To wave for the cameras.
To wave for the cameras.
Cedar Point is unreal. For any roller coaster thrill seekers, this is the place for you.
Cedar Point is unreal. For any roller coaster thrill seekers, this is the place for you.
Time to stop and re-strap the trolling motor down.
Time to stop and re-strap the trolling motor down.
And back on plane heading to the dock.
And back on plane heading to the dock.
After fishing for a few, Sam George is on the move as well.
After fishing for a few, Sam George is on the move as well.