Day 3 in the creeks

The Elites are crazy for creeks on Day 3 of the Bassmaster Elite at Delaware River.

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Cliff Crochet starts at the mouth of Darby Creek on Day 3 of the Bassmaster Elite at Delaware River.
Cliff Crochet starts at the mouth of Darby Creek on Day 3 of the Bassmaster Elite at Delaware River.
At this point, Crochet had only one fish.
At this point, Crochet had only one fish.
Spectators quietly watched Crochet work.
Spectators quietly watched Crochet work.
Crochet pounded this point for a while but came up empty.
Crochet pounded this point for a while but came up empty.
Fellow Louisiana native Keith Poche watched as his friend searched for keepers.
Fellow Louisiana native Keith Poche watched as his friend searched for keepers.
Down into Darby Creek, Aaron Martens was working a bridge.
Down into Darby Creek, Aaron Martens was working a bridge.
He had two fish pretty early on. He’s got a ways to go for a limit.
He had two fish pretty early on. He’s got a ways to go for a limit.
Martens is fishing right next to a highway with heavy road noise.
Martens is fishing right next to a highway with heavy road noise.
Martens puts down his rod, then heads out from the creek, toward the city.
Martens puts down his rod, then heads out from the creek, toward the city.
Meanwhile, Boyd Duckett is fishing in the back of Darby Creek.
Meanwhile, Boyd Duckett is fishing in the back of Darby Creek.
Duckett led on the first day with a 16-plus-pound sack, but he followed it up on Day 2 with only 6 pounds.
Duckett led on the first day with a 16-plus-pound sack, but he followed it up on Day 2 with only 6 pounds.
This morning, he only had one fish in the boat.
This morning, he only had one fish in the boat.
He’s in good spirits, though, because he feels that when the tide comes in, his bite will be hot.
He’s in good spirits, though, because he feels that when the tide comes in, his bite will be hot.
A young local tries his hand at the craft.
A young local tries his hand at the craft.
In another pocket of Darby Creek, Jacob Powroznik works the pads.
In another pocket of Darby Creek, Jacob Powroznik works the pads.
Powroznik has an attitude similar to Duckett’s: his bite will pick up once the tide rolls in.
Powroznik has an attitude similar to Duckett’s: his bite will pick up once the tide rolls in.
But at the moment, one is all he’s got.
But at the moment, one is all he’s got.
Powroznik picks apart this section of the creek for more than an hour.
Powroznik picks apart this section of the creek for more than an hour.
Crochet has moved in and is in shouting distance.
Crochet has moved in and is in shouting distance.
Duckett comes into the same cove.
Duckett comes into the same cove.
The tide is already up some, but it’s still not at the level that Duckett is looking for.
The tide is already up some, but it’s still not at the level that Duckett is looking for.
Duckett faces a major highway, and the airport is nearby too. The air is filled with the sounds of cars, semis and commercial airliners.
Duckett faces a major highway, and the airport is nearby too. The air is filled with the sounds of cars, semis and commercial airliners.
Duckett is encouraged that fish are nipping at his lure. They’re not big and they’re not getting hooked, but at least it shows some movement underneath the water.
Duckett is encouraged that fish are nipping at his lure. They’re not big and they’re not getting hooked, but at least it shows some movement underneath the water.
He continues down this one stretch…
He continues down this one stretch…
…switches baits…
…switches baits…
…gets another nibble…
…gets another nibble…
…but no such luck. He casts again.
…but no such luck. He casts again.
After a while, he’s had it. He’s on to greener pastures — Raccoon Creek.
After a while, he’s had it. He’s on to greener pastures — Raccoon Creek.
Crochet has a similar plan. Both anglers ditch fruitless Darby Creek.
Crochet has a similar plan. Both anglers ditch fruitless Darby Creek.
On the way out, we see Kevin Hawk prying a bridge close to the one Martens was hitting earlier.
On the way out, we see Kevin Hawk prying a bridge close to the one Martens was hitting earlier.
He, too, only had one fish.
He, too, only had one fish.
His livewell looked a lot like Duckett’s — with just one 1 1/4-pounder in it.
His livewell looked a lot like Duckett’s — with just one 1 1/4-pounder in it.
He keeps working …
He keeps working …
… and Terry Scroggins passes by. Scroggins is not doing as well as Hawk, Duckett or anyone else we’ve seen today. His livewell is empty.
… and Terry Scroggins passes by. Scroggins is not doing as well as Hawk, Duckett or anyone else we’ve seen today. His livewell is empty.
On to Raccoon Creek, which Scott Rook has claimed all for himself.
On to Raccoon Creek, which Scott Rook has claimed all for himself.
“Usually, if no other pros are around, it means there are no fish there,” said Rook. But that’s obviously not the case this time.
“Usually, if no other pros are around, it means there are no fish there,” said Rook. But that’s obviously not the case this time.
Rook had a flurry of activity this morning, resulting in a limit only an hour or so after launch time.
Rook had a flurry of activity this morning, resulting in a limit only an hour or so after launch time.
But it’s been a long time since he’s caught a fish. Rook’s current plan is to hit each area for 5 minutes or so, then move on.
But it’s been a long time since he’s caught a fish. Rook’s current plan is to hit each area for 5 minutes or so, then move on.
Each stop is only a minute or two run to the next spot with wood.
Each stop is only a minute or two run to the next spot with wood.
By early afternoon, each cast comes up empty.
By early afternoon, each cast comes up empty.
He stays cool, even though he said it’s frustrating when you spend most of the day not catching fish.
He stays cool, even though he said it’s frustrating when you spend most of the day not catching fish.
He stays cool, even though he said it’s frustrating when you spend most of the day not catching fish.
He stays cool, even though he said it’s frustrating when you spend most of the day not catching fish.
Rook works this big laydown, which looks like it’s reaching for him.
Rook works this big laydown, which looks like it’s reaching for him.
Rook waits, hoping for an opportunity to cull up so late in the day.
Rook waits, hoping for an opportunity to cull up so late in the day.
He works quietly but talks casually with the spectator boats.
He works quietly but talks casually with the spectator boats.
Time to retie…
Time to retie…
…and then once again move down a few hundred yards.
…and then once again move down a few hundred yards.