Smith Lake Day 3 launch

The Opens pros will try to catch tournament leader David Kilgore as a balmier final day begins on Alabama's Smith Lake from the Bass Pro Shops Southern Open #2 presented by Allstate.

Posted on
Safety checks are the first order of business prior to takeoff. B.A.S.S. officials inspect livewells to make sure they are in proper working condition.
Safety checks are the first order of business prior to takeoff. B.A.S.S. officials inspect livewells to make sure they are in proper working condition.
Another safety check involves testing the emergency stop device commonly known as a kill switch.
Another safety check involves testing the emergency stop device commonly known as a kill switch.
TowBoatU.S. is ready for duty in the pre-dawn morning on Smith Lake.
TowBoatU.S. is ready for duty in the pre-dawn morning on Smith Lake.
Leader David Kilgore is lined up in the first spot near TowBoatU.S.
Leader David Kilgore is lined up in the first spot near TowBoatU.S.
David Kilgore is ready to make the 10-mile run up-lake to where he hopes a winning catch awaits him.
David Kilgore is ready to make the 10-mile run up-lake to where he hopes a winning catch awaits him.
Australian Carl Jocumsen is making his second consecutive top 12 appearance within a month in Opens competition.
Australian Carl Jocumsen is making his second consecutive top 12 appearance within a month in Opens competition.
Brandon Lester goes through the safety check of his boat's equipment prior to takeoff.
Brandon Lester goes through the safety check of his boat’s equipment prior to takeoff.
It's 5:45 a.m. and the first light of day appears over the water at Lewis Smith Dam Recreation Area.
It’s 5:45 a.m. and the first light of day appears over the water at Lewis Smith Dam Recreation Area.
Woo Daves is the last boat to put in among the lineup of the top 12.
Woo Daves is the last boat to put in among the lineup of the top 12.
The day is dawning and the sun is rising over Smith Lake. The forecast calls for sunny skies and balmy temperatures for the final day of fishing.
The day is dawning and the sun is rising over Smith Lake. The forecast calls for sunny skies and balmy temperatures for the final day of fishing.
Carl Jocumsen of Australia hopes this is the year he finally qualifies as the first Australian angler to compete in Elite Series competition.
Carl Jocumsen of Australia hopes this is the year he finally qualifies as the first Australian angler to compete in Elite Series competition.
TowBoatU.S. idles into position to lead the top 12 out to the main lake.
TowBoatU.S. idles into position to lead the top 12 out to the main lake.
Day 2 leader David Kilgore takes off past TowBoatU.S., followed by runner-up Todd Auten.
Day 2 leader David Kilgore takes off past TowBoatU.S., followed by runner-up Todd Auten.
The first six boats have left the dock with the other half of the top 12 behind them.
The first six boats have left the dock with the other half of the top 12 behind them.
Justin Lucas idles past the final safety check point, which is where the return time is confirmed by the anglers and B.A.S.S. officials.
Justin Lucas idles past the final safety check point, which is where the return time is confirmed by the anglers and B.A.S.S. officials.
Brandon Lester sports his newly wrapped Mud Hole Tackle boat.
Brandon Lester sports his newly wrapped Mud Hole Tackle boat.
That's Woo Daves all bundled up at the helm of his Nitro Z-9.
That’s Woo Daves all bundled up at the helm of his Nitro Z-9.
Carl Jocumsen gets ready to blast off for a promising day of fishing on Smith Lake.
Carl Jocumsen gets ready to blast off for a promising day of fishing on Smith Lake.