Day 3 with Evers

See how Edwin Evers did on Day 3 of the St. Lawrence River.

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Edwin Evers started the day in the lead of the Evan Williams Bassmaster Elite Series on the St. Lawrence River.
Edwin Evers started the day in the lead of the Evan Williams Bassmaster Elite Series on the St. Lawrence River.
Semi-fresh off a win at BassFest, Evers began his day on one of the several flats along the river hoping to catch roaming smallmouth guarding or coming off their spawning beds.
Semi-fresh off a win at BassFest, Evers began his day on one of the several flats along the river hoping to catch roaming smallmouth guarding or coming off their spawning beds.
He would work an area and then speed on to another.
He would work an area and then speed on to another.
And by his third stop he was hooked up with his first keeper.
And by his third stop he was hooked up with his first keeper.
Evers was fishing with 6-pound test line and was working to keep the estimated 4-pound fish out of weeds and rocks.
Evers was fishing with 6-pound test line and was working to keep the estimated 4-pound fish out of weeds and rocks.
But after a 30 second battle, the fish won, breaking his line and forcing a yell of anguish from Evers.
But after a 30 second battle, the fish won, breaking his line and forcing a yell of anguish from Evers.
Followed by a drop to his knees and few seconds of anger.
Followed by a drop to his knees and few seconds of anger.
Thirty seconds after that, he was back on his feet and firing away.
Thirty seconds after that, he was back on his feet and firing away.
His turnaround was rewarded with his first keeper that hit right at the boat.
His turnaround was rewarded with his first keeper that hit right at the boat.
It wasn’t what he was hoping for, but it was a start.
It wasn’t what he was hoping for, but it was a start.
Minutes later, he would hook up again with a jumping smallmouth.
Minutes later, he would hook up again with a jumping smallmouth.
And then he was back to casting.
And then he was back to casting.
And catching keepers.
And catching keepers.
The light line and swift current called for a finesse touch.
The light line and swift current called for a finesse touch.
And when that didn’t work...
And when that didn’t work…
He would just pull it in by the line.
He would just pull it in by the line.
And minutes later get hooked up again.
And minutes later get hooked up again.
All of his fish battles lasted for several minutes because of the light line. And it gave him time to visit with his cameraman, Rick Mason, while it was fighting.
All of his fish battles lasted for several minutes because of the light line. And it gave him time to visit with his cameraman, Rick Mason, while it was fighting.
It even gave Evers time to explain the process to the “Live” viewing audience.
It even gave Evers time to explain the process to the “Live” viewing audience.
And when he was able to get it to the boat he would slide into the seat.
And when he was able to get it to the boat he would slide into the seat.
And pull it overboard.
And pull it overboard.
Back at work, he would often cast without looking where his line was going, opting instead to keep an eye out for spawners.
Back at work, he would often cast without looking where his line was going, opting instead to keep an eye out for spawners.
Other times he had specific targets in mind.
Other times he had specific targets in mind.
Both tactics worked to hook up with keepers.
Both tactics worked to hook up with keepers.
Even though they would often send him on a trip around the boat, from the back to the front.
Even though they would often send him on a trip around the boat, from the back to the front.
And occasionally he would swing one overboard.
And occasionally he would swing one overboard.
Trusting the 6-pound line wouldn’t give.
Trusting the 6-pound line wouldn’t give.
During the course of the day he got about 10 big areas.
During the course of the day he got about 10 big areas.
Catching fish in most of them.
Catching fish in most of them.
Swinging the smaller ones over the side.
Swinging the smaller ones over the side.
And every once in a while, he would kneel low so spawning fish couldn’t see him.
And every once in a while, he would kneel low so spawning fish couldn’t see him.
Even casting from that position if he had to.
Even casting from that position if he had to.
But most of his action took place on the back deck with Power Poles down.
But most of his action took place on the back deck with Power Poles down.
Once he would see a fish he would set, and a lot of times hook up.
Once he would see a fish he would set, and a lot of times hook up.
Then run to the front of the boat.
Then run to the front of the boat.
And come all the way back.
And come all the way back.
Very seldom did he let his fish jump.
Very seldom did he let his fish jump.
And most of the time if the fish had any shoulders at all, he would cradle it from the seat.
And most of the time if the fish had any shoulders at all, he would cradle it from the seat.
Making sure the fish was hooked inside the mouth and not outside.
Making sure the fish was hooked inside the mouth and not outside.
With every catch, he would cull a few ounces.
With every catch, he would cull a few ounces.
Slowly building his stringer to more than 13 pounds by mid morning.
Slowly building his stringer to more than 13 pounds by mid morning.
He would keep working his flats the rest of the day.
He would keep working his flats the rest of the day.
Using the whole boat from back to front, and catch bigger fish by the afternoon.
Using the whole boat from back to front, and catch bigger fish by the afternoon.