2009 Southern Open #2: Day Three, Launch

In this photo gallery, you'll find images of the anglers as they prepare to launch on Day Three of the 2009 Southern Open #2 on Wheeler Lake, near Decatur, Alabama.

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Co-anglers gather at the ice house at Ingall's Harbor to wait for their pros on the final day of the Bassmaster Southern Open #2 presented by Oakley.
Co-anglers gather at the ice house at Ingall’s Harbor to wait for their pros on the final day of the Bassmaster Southern Open #2 presented by Oakley.
Threatening skies loom overhead as anglers begin to assemble at the docks.
Threatening skies loom overhead as anglers begin to assemble at the docks.
Mark Menendez is looking to make up the 3 pound, 3 ounce deficit between himself and leader Chris Payne.
Mark Menendez is looking to make up the 3 pound, 3 ounce deficit between himself and leader Chris Payne.
Leader Chris Payne waits at the front of the line for launch time. The top thirty will launch in the order of their Day Two standings.
Leader Chris Payne waits at the front of the line for launch time. The top thirty will launch in the order of their Day Two standings.
Leader Chris Payne idles out of the marina with Mark Menendez close behind, in more ways than one.
Leader Chris Payne idles out of the marina with Mark Menendez close behind, in more ways than one.
The top 15 idle out through the BASS inspection line on the final morning of the Southern Open on Wheeler Lake.
The top 15 idle out through the BASS inspection line on the final morning of the Southern Open on Wheeler Lake.
Elite Series Rookie Matt Herren idles past BASS officials and gets handed his fob with the assigned number for the day.
Elite Series Rookie Matt Herren idles past BASS officials and gets handed his fob with the assigned number for the day.
Leader Chris Payne holds up one finger to signify the fish that he has in his livewell when the camera boat arrives.
Leader Chris Payne holds up one finger to signify the fish that he has in his livewell when the camera boat arrives.
Payne's co-angler, Rob Moodie, sets the hook on a bass and fights it to the boat. It was his first of the day.
Payne’s co-angler, Rob Moodie, sets the hook on a bass and fights it to the boat. It was his first of the day.
Rob Moodie agrees this bass is a good start to the day.
Rob Moodie agrees this bass is a good start to the day.
Pro Chris Payne has been fishing a hump between two islands and grass lines all week to maintain his lead on the field.
Pro Chris Payne has been fishing a hump between two islands and grass lines all week to maintain his lead on the field.
Payne hurries to the livewell and throws up three fingers to signal the numbers of keepers he has in the boat.
Payne hurries to the livewell and throws up three fingers to signal the numbers of keepers he has in the boat.
Pain makes a move to fish submerged vegetation and it pays off in spades.
Pain makes a move to fish submerged vegetation and it pays off in spades.
Pro Chris Payne brings another keeper to the boat and is able to cull a smaller fish.
Pro Chris Payne brings another keeper to the boat and is able to cull a smaller fish.
The onslaught continues as Payne brings another bass to the boat as the skies start to spit rain.
The onslaught continues as Payne brings another bass to the boat as the skies start to spit rain.
Pro Chris Payne culls yet another bass from his Triton's livewells as the rain begins to pick up.
Pro Chris Payne culls yet another bass from his Triton’s livewells as the rain begins to pick up.
Co-angler Rob Moodie slings a bass in the boat just before the skies open up and a deluge of rain sets in over Wheeler Lake. This will be the second day anglers have had to fish in pouring rain.
Co-angler Rob Moodie slings a bass in the boat just before the skies open up and a deluge of rain sets in over Wheeler Lake. This will be the second day anglers have had to fish in pouring rain.