2009 Elite Series Champion's Choice: Cliff Pace

Cliff Pace launches his boat Wednesday for the final day of practice for the Ramada Champion's Choice on Oneida Lake.

Pace pulls out a few rods that he plans to use on the water.

As the sun rises over Oneida Lake, Pace makes his first cast in search of big smallmouth bass.

Pace covers water, trying to find a school of smallmouth that will help him reach the postseason in September.

This smallmouth won't help Pace, who currently sits in 12th place in the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings.

Pace hooks up with a better fish and punches the spot into his GPS.

Smallmouth bass put up a hard fight and Pace is careful to play the fish well next to the boat.

A 2-pound smallmouth is a nice start to the day for Pace, who predicted it would take a top-20 showing to stay in postseason contention.

Walleye were also hungry early on the third day of practice.

Cliff Pace tries to entice a smallmouth to bite on a calm, overcast morning on Oneida Lake.

As the sun rises, Pace finds a school of smallmouth and quickly casts into the frenzy.

He hooks up immediately with a feisty bronzeback.

Hiding behind the fish won't keep your face from appearing on Bassmaster.com.

Pace makes a long cast to a school of smallmouth.

A quick hookset and another fish is flying from the water trying to escape Pace's grasp.

The smallmouth makes a last-ditch effort at the boat to no avail.

Another healthy fish on the third day of practice for the Ramada Champion's Choice.

The action is fast for a few minutes early in the day, but Pace knows that smallmouth are likely to disappear overnight.

Pace flings another solid keeper into the boat, hoping he can find these fish again tomorrow.

A cool morning gave way to a warm afternoon and Pace managed to hook up with another Oneida smallmouth.

Pace hopes that he can locate a school of smallmouth again in the tournament to give himself a shot at making the Toyota Trucks Championship Week in September.