Browning on the Big O

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Day 3 of the A.R.E. Truck Caps Bassmaster Elite at Lake Okeechobee began with a beautiful sunrise, with the expectation that it would be a hot and sunny day.
Day 3 of the A.R.E. Truck Caps Bassmaster Elite at Lake Okeechobee began with a beautiful sunrise, with the expectation that it would be a hot and sunny day.
Arkansas native Stephen Browning started out near Harney Pond, where there are numerous other anglers fishing, as well.
Arkansas native Stephen Browning started out near Harney Pond, where there are numerous other anglers fishing, as well.
Browning is sharing water with Oklahoman Jeff Kriet.
Browning is sharing water with Oklahoman Jeff Kriet.
Kriet said he had a juicy spot in the vicinity that is holding numbers of good fish.
Kriet said he had a juicy spot in the vicinity that is holding numbers of good fish.
It doesn't take long and he hooks up.
It doesn’t take long and he hooks up.
The bass fights as Kriet drags it back to the boat.
The bass fights as Kriet drags it back to the boat.
Not a big fish, but it may start his day out.
Not a big fish, but it may start his day out.
Looks like it measured.
Looks like it measured.
Not far beyond Kriet is Arizona pro Brett Hite.
Not far beyond Kriet is Arizona pro Brett Hite.
And Hite finds a pretty nice fish early on.
And Hite finds a pretty nice fish early on.
He flips it aboard ...
He flips it aboard …
... this one is a great start to his morning.
… this one is a great start to his morning.
Behind us Kriet hooks up again.
Behind us Kriet hooks up again.
He flips it aboard ...
He flips it aboard …
... and the bass throws water everywhere.
… and the bass throws water everywhere.
Another small one, but its a keeper and puts Kriet closer to a limit.
Another small one, but its a keeper and puts Kriet closer to a limit.
Browning continues to work the same area knowing that he'll find a starter fish soon, too.
Browning continues to work the same area knowing that he’ll find a starter fish soon, too.
And he almost instantly hooks up.
And he almost instantly hooks up.
This is small, very small.
This is small, very small.
And won't measure as a keeper.
And won’t measure as a keeper.
And he gets back to it.
And he gets back to it.
And catches another.
And catches another.
The fish refuses to give in.
The fish refuses to give in.
And Browning swings it in.
And Browning swings it in.
Not a bad start at all.
Not a bad start at all.
And he continues to strain the water looking for a big one.
And he continues to strain the water looking for a big one.
And another bass eats.
And another bass eats.
Looks to be another small keeper.
Looks to be another small keeper.
Again, every little bit counts.
Again, every little bit counts.
Browning continues to work the grass.
Browning continues to work the grass.
Meanwhile, heron.
Meanwhile, heron.
And a gator shows up cruising through a large group of anglers.
And a gator shows up cruising through a large group of anglers.
At this point, he thinks he is hiding.
At this point, he thinks he is hiding.
Browning is still hunting an Okeechobee giant.
Browning is still hunting an Okeechobee giant.
Browning is also sharing water with Brent Ehrler.
Browning is also sharing water with Brent Ehrler.
And he hooks up ...
And he hooks up …
... Not a bad one, but not the fatty he's looking for.
… Not a bad one, but not the fatty he’s looking for.
It'll work for now.
It’ll work for now.
Adrian Avena is also nearby working a big fish on a bed. He eventually caught it and it was likely over 8 pounds.
Adrian Avena is also nearby working a big fish on a bed. He eventually caught it and it was likely over 8 pounds.
And Browning finds another eager biter, this time in front of Kriet.
And Browning finds another eager biter, this time in front of Kriet.
Looks like another keeper that will help out his day's total.
Looks like another keeper that will help out his day’s total.
This fish was clearly in the salad.
This fish was clearly in the salad.
Into the box.
Into the box.
And... another gator shows up, or maybe it's the same one just cruising around looking for a snack.
And… another gator shows up, or maybe it’s the same one just cruising around looking for a snack.
Ya, he has food on his mind.
Ya, he has food on his mind.
Browning continues to weave through the weed flat looking for bedded bass.
Browning continues to weave through the weed flat looking for bedded bass.
And he hooks up again, this one looks bigger.
And he hooks up again, this one looks bigger.
On a spinning rod, no less!
On a spinning rod, no less!
He fights the fish at boatside, it's clearly a big fish.
He fights the fish at boatside, it’s clearly a big fish.
Ya, that's the one he's been looking for. It leaps as Browning reaches for the lip grip.
Ya, that’s the one he’s been looking for. It leaps as Browning reaches for the lip grip.
He's got it, (and the photographer was moving too much, making things blurry. And he apologizes.)
He’s got it, (and the photographer was moving too much, making things blurry. And he apologizes.)
Browning hoists it in, and celebrates.
Browning hoists it in, and celebrates.
That's a good one that will push his total to near 15 pounds at this point of the day.
That’s a good one that will push his total to near 15 pounds at this point of the day.
That is a fine bass, and one he's glad is in his limit for today.
That is a fine bass, and one he’s glad is in his limit for today.
He gets back to work looking for another kicker for his limit.
He gets back to work looking for another kicker for his limit.
He finds another bass, but not a big one.
He finds another bass, but not a big one.
But it helped him cull up, and ounces count.
But it helped him cull up, and ounces count.