BASS Communications / Seigo Saito

Alton Jones's day-2 bag at the Mississippi River Bassmaster Elite Series was just a single ounce heavier than the one he brought in the previous day. It was worth 10 spots in the standings, though, as his 12-01 haul gave him a 24-01 total and the lead at the midway point of what's easily the toughest even the circuit has fished this year.

He's sharing a backwater area in Pool 18 (one lock up from the launch) with fellow Texan Kelly Jordon, and it was the hot spot today. The Pool 19 pond that the three leaders from day 1 divvied up – in conjunction with about two dozen other competitors – cooled off dramatically, and two members of that trio tumbled out of the Top 12. Read More