Day 3 with Martens

Day 3 on the Sacramento River with Aaron Martens

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Aaron Martens started Day Three in the lead with 51 pounds, 4 ounces.
Aaron Martens started Day Three in the lead with 51 pounds, 4 ounces.
He spent his entire day sight fishing.
He spent his entire day sight fishing.
Martens had photographers on him from several different directions, including Tom Leogrande who managed to find a place to drive and take photos of Martens from the bank.
Martens had photographers on him from several different directions, including Tom Leogrande who managed to find a place to drive and take photos of Martens from the bank.
He eased around on one patch of tulles for nearly two hours.
He eased around on one patch of tulles for nearly two hours.
He PowerPoles down and sets up on a big one.
He PowerPoles down and sets up on a big one.
And it doesn’t take long for this fish to bite.
And it doesn’t take long for this fish to bite.
The following photos show Martens' fight with his biggest fish of the day.
The following photos show Martens’ fight with his biggest fish of the day.
That’s the kind of fish you like to start your day with.
That’s the kind of fish you like to start your day with.
He gets back on the prowl for the next one. He said there was another one on that same bed about the same size as the one he just caught.
He gets back on the prowl for the next one. He said there was another one on that same bed about the same size as the one he just caught.
He wanted to make sure the fish couldn’t see him.
He wanted to make sure the fish couldn’t see him.
He moves around the tulles and eyes another fish on a bed.
He moves around the tulles and eyes another fish on a bed.
He looked…
He looked…
…and looked…
…and looked…
…and looked some more.
…and looked some more.
He decides to just drop bait straight down into the bed.
He decides to just drop bait straight down into the bed.
Then moves around and tries from a different angle.
Then moves around and tries from a different angle.
About the only shade Aaron fished in all day.
About the only shade Aaron fished in all day.
After a long dry spell he finds a fish he thinks is 8 pounds on a bed.
After a long dry spell he finds a fish he thinks is 8 pounds on a bed.
He quickly catches the male fish.
He quickly catches the male fish.
That despite its size threw quite a fit coming to the boat.
That despite its size threw quite a fit coming to the boat.
Every ounce counts in every Elite Series event…
Every ounce counts in every Elite Series event…
…and Martens finally puts another fish in the livewell.
…and Martens finally puts another fish in the livewell.
He keeps a lot of baits hanging from the dry storage in his boat.
He keeps a lot of baits hanging from the dry storage in his boat.
He sets back up on the 8-pounder but the fish would never lock on the bed. After over an hour Martens gave up on the fish.
He sets back up on the 8-pounder but the fish would never lock on the bed. After over an hour Martens gave up on the fish.
Looking for a frog. Maybe?
Looking for a frog. Maybe?
Finally after a couple hours he hooks another fish…
Finally after a couple hours he hooks another fish…
…that comes off.
…that comes off.
Needless to say that didn’t sit well.
Needless to say that didn’t sit well.
He was disgusted after losing it…
He was disgusted after losing it…
…and decides to move to the other side of the canal.
…and decides to move to the other side of the canal.
You’ll like these shoes?
You’ll like these shoes?
He found another shady spot.
He found another shady spot.
He finally decided to quit fishing for just big ones and try to catch a limit.
He finally decided to quit fishing for just big ones and try to catch a limit.
Martens begin to put small fish in the boat quickly with only one hour to fish.
Martens begin to put small fish in the boat quickly with only one hour to fish.
He just wanted to keep himself in the game for the final day.
He just wanted to keep himself in the game for the final day.
He placed this fish in the live well…
He placed this fish in the live well…
…made a couple more casts and hooks up again.
…made a couple more casts and hooks up again.
The fish came unhooked in the air…
The fish came unhooked in the air…
…but luckily fell into the boat. He finally had a limit with about thirty minutes to fish.
…but luckily fell into the boat. He finally had a limit with about thirty minutes to fish.
He stopped in one last place before making the long run to the weigh in.
He stopped in one last place before making the long run to the weigh in.