Birmingham, Ala.- The day 2 results are in, and like any other high stakes event, some of the results are surprising.
Some of the mighty have fallen, while up and coming challengers are staking a claim for their spot in history. Here are a few of the highlights.
Big Names Miss The Cut
You might recognize a few names who will not be fishing on day 3.
Former champions KVD, Mike Iaconelli, Chris Lane, and Gary Kline will be watching the action with the rest of us. Guntersville has proven to be a puzzle that even the best haven’t figured out.
While it might be difficult to imagine a highlight from the field of anglers that didn’t make the cut (call it a lowlight, maybe?), Gerald Swindle stole the show. Despite bringing in a combined three fish from day one and two, G-man grabbed the mic and entertained the crowd like no one else.
He asked the crowd to give him an ovation as if he had won the whole thing, and the crowd in Birmingham obliged in fine fashion.
While the big win is still proving elusive for Swindle, it isn’t hard to see what makes him a fan favorite.
A New Challenger Emerges
The big bag of the day goes to Connecticut angler Paul Mueller.
“Y’all wanna see some fish? ‘Cause I brought some!” he proclaimed before weighing in a five fish bag of Guntersville monsters. He made a huge move, and if his strategy proves successful on day three, with improving weather and action heating up, this will be a guy to watch.
Some Familiar Faces
In the end, three familiar faces held atop the leader board.
Edwin Evers, Randall Tharp, and Ott Defoe have the field in their rear view mirror.
Evers weighed in last, and turned in a solid bag that put him a whopping 1 ounce ahead of Tharp. Meanwhile, Ott Defoe has positioned himself in a solid spot to take home a title
With the weather improving, and reports from the anglers indicating big fish moving in shallow, day three will be a nail biter.