PRO FISHING -- Brandon Palaniuk of Rathdrum moved from 11th place to fourth place today  after the second day of fishing among the 50 anglers in New Orleans for the Bassmaster Classic .

Palaniuk, who's been creating a buzz since he arrived, has a shot a victory in the three-day Super Bowl of bass fishing, which runs through Sunday at  the Louisiana Delta.

Palaniuk, the only angler to qualify from the West, caught five fish totaling 17 pounds 14 ounces today. Combined with the five fish he caught Friday, his total is 32 pounds 8 ounces with one more day of fishing to go.

The leader is defending champ Kevin VanDam of Michigan with 41 pounds 11 ounces. In second is  Kansas angler Brent Chapman with 38 pounds 1 ounce. In third is  Alabama angler Aaron Martens with 33 pounds 2 ounces. See all the first- and second-day results here.

Follow the event online and Palaniuk  online; see  my  previous blog post and ESPN interview with Palaniuk.

Brandon might be the only angler from the West at the Classic, but he's not alone. .

At least 15 family members and friends made the trek to New Orleans, several driving from his hometown of Rathdrum, Idaho.

"That's only 2,392 miles Palaniuk, the 23-year-old winner of the B.A.S.S. Federation Nation championship last fall, has been sleeping in his truck to be able to afford his foray into professional fishing.