The Bassmaster Classic Day Two:
Making the Moves
Day 2 of the Bassmaster Classic in Knoxville, Tennessee start off with a slight chill in the air. They was a large crowd waiting at the launch to see 58 of the best anglers blast off. And with a mighty roar, off they went into history. Fifty-eight men with hopes of making their dream come true.
Changing weather conditions, muddy water, and bass moving up to spawn, things that each of them would have to contend with. Who would make that adjustment? Who would be able to find the bigger bass? And who would struggle to keep them hooked up? Who would be fishing championship Sunday?
Day 2 was full of high hopes and disappointments. For some of the first time qualifiers, it was a tough day and tournament. Cody Meyers, who has fished a lot of big tournaments, was one of those first time anglers. He managed to find 8 of those sweet bass for 19-10, but it just wasn’t enough to move on to Championship Sunday. There were no problems with the nerves on that first blast-off, but he admitted that the Classic was and is everything that you can imagine. There is nothing like riding into the arena and stepping up on that big stage.
JT Thompkins managed to find 10 of the right bass for 38-1 for two days and inside the top 10 for day two. But still has the time to sit and talk with his parents backstage. They did a great job raising him. That is something you don’t see all the time. They are very proud of him and it shows.
Paul Marks, who had 10 for 31-6, and a spot on Championship Sunday, is another of those fine young men. He talked about having to make some changes for tomorrow in hopes of pulling off the win. But it was his dad who he wanted to talk to. You could see the joy in his eyes as he stood by his son. Raising them right is the biggest key to success. And they have done that for sure.
Another first time angler is Laker Howell. He is the oldest son of former Classic Champion Randy Howell. His first launch was full of nervousness, but once he settled down and caught his first bass, it became just normal. While he, like so many others struggled, it was his parents who were so proud of him.
Former Classic winner Justin Hamner is another angler who struggled to catch fish. Or rather, it was a struggle to keep the big fish hooked up. Both days he lost big bass which made it so difficult. Day 2 he made a big change and found them, only to have them slam his lure and then come unbuttoned.
Day 2 leader Dylan Nutt is another first time qualifier. But the nerves have not effected his fishing so far. We will see how Championship Sunday unfolds for him. Will he be able to find those big bass he brought in for day 2, or will they have moved on him. Only time will tell.
