Day 3 with Powroznik, Benton

Jacob Powroznik started the day in second place in the Busch Beer Bassmaster Elite at Cayuga. He also started on a stretch of bank that included several other anglers, including Ott DeFoe (background) along with Jonathon VanDam and Chad Pipkens. It didn't take him long to search for less-crowded water.
Jacob Powroznik started the day in second place in the Busch Beer Bassmaster Elite at Cayuga. He also started on a stretch of bank that included several other anglers, including Ott DeFoe (background) along with Jonathon VanDam and Chad Pipkens. It didn’t take him long to search for less-crowded water.
Although he didn't look too confident on where he needed to go.
Although he didn’t look too confident on where he needed to go.
The second spot, though, was less crowded and Powroznik started covering the area with a topwater.
The second spot, though, was less crowded and Powroznik started covering the area with a topwater.
The grass, some of it floating, created a small issue.
The grass, some of it floating, created a small issue.
But it also created some exciting bites.
But it also created some exciting bites.
This would be his first keeper of the day.
This would be his first keeper of the day.
It would also be one of his best.
It would also be one of his best.
Powroznik wasted no time in getting it in the boat, it was obviously hooked well.
Powroznik wasted no time in getting it in the boat, it was obviously hooked well.
Powroznik was quick to point out that this fish was very welcome because it kept him from needing to catch one of his bedding fish, fish he hoped to save until Sunday.
Powroznik was quick to point out that this fish was very welcome because it kept him from needing to catch one of his bedding fish, fish he hoped to save until Sunday.
He explains the catch to the Bassmaster Live audience before depositing the fish in his livewell.
He explains the catch to the Bassmaster Live audience before depositing the fish in his livewell.
And then he was back up and fishing, as was Morizo Shimizu in the background. The Japanese angler started the day right behind Powroznik in third place.
And then he was back up and fishing, as was Morizo Shimizu in the background. The Japanese angler started the day right behind Powroznik in third place.
Powroznik kept working with the topwater.
Powroznik kept working with the topwater.
During the early going, he had three or four bites from big fish that blew up on his walking bait but never got hung.
During the early going, he had three or four bites from big fish that blew up on his walking bait but never got hung.
When that would happen, Powroznik would kneel down and cast to the area with a follow-up soft plastic, but none of those fish ever bit again.
When that would happen, Powroznik would kneel down and cast to the area with a follow-up soft plastic, but none of those fish ever bit again.
And he also looked for the occasional bedding fish in the area. He looked right, and Shimizu (background) looked left.
And he also looked for the occasional bedding fish in the area. He looked right, and Shimizu (background) looked left.
Less than 30 minutes from the first keeper, Powroznik would hook up again.
Less than 30 minutes from the first keeper, Powroznik would hook up again.
And quickly get the fish overboard.
And quickly get the fish overboard.
This would be one of those fish he ran across while fishing around with his topwater.
This would be one of those fish he ran across while fishing around with his topwater.
He said at the time, he could just barely could see the fish's tail before he cast to it.
He said at the time, he could just barely could see the fish’s tail before he cast to it.
He would follow that up a few moments later with his smallest fish of the day.
He would follow that up a few moments later with his smallest fish of the day.
The fish, though would give him three keepers and about 8 pounds on the day.
The fish, though would give him three keepers and about 8 pounds on the day.
He would make a short move and on his first cast add his fourth fish, a 2-pound class fish.
He would make a short move and on his first cast add his fourth fish, a 2-pound class fish.
And he would set up on some beds in the area, using his hand to shield his eyes from the sun.
And he would set up on some beds in the area, using his hand to shield his eyes from the sun.

The Bassmaster Drone would make a pass or two checking out the action.
The Bassmaster Drone would make a pass or two checking out the action.
And it didn't take Powroznik long to fill out his limit.
And it didn’t take Powroznik long to fill out his limit.
This one would give him about 12 pounds on the day.
This one would give him about 12 pounds on the day.
And he would verify with cameraman and the Bassmaster Live audience that the fish was indeed hooked in the mouth. Bassmaster rules require all sight fish to be hooked in the mouth.
And he would verify with cameraman and the Bassmaster Live audience that the fish was indeed hooked in the mouth. Bassmaster rules require all sight fish to be hooked in the mouth.
Nearby a mother and a young daughter on a morning kayak trip would slip by.
Nearby a mother and a young daughter on a morning kayak trip would slip by.
Powroznik would eventually move across the lake.
Powroznik would eventually move across the lake.
And find Drew Benton close to where he set up shop. Benton was soon hooked up too.
And find Drew Benton close to where he set up shop. Benton was soon hooked up too.
The fish would have enough heft to it that it would send Benton to the passenger seat.
The fish would have enough heft to it that it would send Benton to the passenger seat.
The young pro, who is actually leading the Rookie of the Year standings, reaches for the fish.
The young pro, who is actually leading the Rookie of the Year standings, reaches for the fish.
And gets a handle on it.
And gets a handle on it.
The hefty bass comes overboard and gets a face-to-face look with Benton.
The hefty bass comes overboard and gets a face-to-face look with Benton.
Benton would give the Bassmaster Live audience a close look then use the fish to cull.
Benton would give the Bassmaster Live audience a close look then use the fish to cull.
While Benton was doing that, Powroznik was hooking up as well.
While Benton was doing that, Powroznik was hooking up as well.
And as Powroznik worked the fish toward the boat and began pulling it in...
And as Powroznik worked the fish toward the boat and began pulling it in…
It was obvious he would be culling as well.
It was obvious he would be culling as well.

Powroznik would cull behind the lid of his livewell while Rick Mason, Bassmaster cameraman, would stick his camera in and give the live audience a great look.
Powroznik would cull behind the lid of his livewell while Rick Mason, Bassmaster cameraman, would stick his camera in and give the live audience a great look.
Benton would soon hook up again.
Benton would soon hook up again.
This one would be boat-flipped.
This one would be boat-flipped.
And after a thorough inspection from Benton....
And after a thorough inspection from Benton….
It was determined it too would help him cull.
It was determined it too would help him cull.
The two anglers would exchange pleasantries as they played their tit-for-tat game.
The two anglers would exchange pleasantries as they played their tit-for-tat game.
And each would continue catching fish.
And each would continue catching fish.
And culling them.
And culling them.
Before moving on to other places. Both anglers would have their smallest weights of the event falling in the standings, Powroznik from second to fourth and Benton from fourth to sixth.
Before moving on to other places. Both anglers would have their smallest weights of the event falling in the standings, Powroznik from second to fourth and Benton from fourth to sixth.