2014 Old Milwaukee B.A.S.S. Nation Championship Day 2: Carden Remains Leader

Despite engine problems and changing conditions Carden continues to excel. 

By Tyler Wade

bass press release

MONROE, La. — Coby Carden took a gamble on Day 2 of the 2014 Old Milwaukee B.A.S.S. Nation Championship on Louisiana’s Ouachita River, and it paid off.

“I did something completely different today,” said Carden after the Day 2 weigh-in. “Because I was near the front of the takeoff line, I thought I could be one of the first ones to Bayou D’Arbonne.”

Canadian Doug Brownridge moved up to 6th with 17-7.
Unfortunately, two other Eastern teammates rank higher.
(Photo: BASS)

His spot on Day 2 was nowhere near his Day 1 area, where he caught 11 pounds, 8 ounces and took the lead of the tournament.

But he knew he couldn’t count on getting that one big-fish bite in his primary area and wanted to cement his lead in the championship and earn back-to-back Bassmaster Classic berths.

It was a good call. Carden caught 11 pounds, 12 ounces in the bayou. Then, at 10:45, he was heading back down the lake. He found a great fish and got her to bite three times, but he couldn’t get her to commit.

He decided to move on, and that’s when his motor started acting up.

“My high pressure fuel pump had gone out,” said Carden. “I could prime the bulb and run for a quarter-mile, but then I’d have to stop.”