Classic: Day 3 on the water

See the Classic anglers battle it out on Lake Hartwell on the final day of the 2015 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro.

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While waiting for boats to hit the water for the final day of fishing, Steve Bowman captured this launch scene from his camera boat.
While waiting for boats to hit the water for the final day of fishing, Steve Bowman captured this launch scene from his camera boat.
Just about go time on the final day of fishing.
Just about go time on the final day of fishing.
A flotilla of spectator boats looks on as Day 1 leader Dean Rojas makes his way onto Lake Hartwell.
A flotilla of spectator boats looks on as Day 1 leader Dean Rojas makes his way onto Lake Hartwell.
Tournament leader Takahiro Omori speeds to his first fishing location…
Tournament leader Takahiro Omori speeds to his first fishing location…
…followed closely by 2nd place contender Dean Rojas.
…followed closely by 2nd place contender Dean Rojas.
Rojas steps on the gas…
Rojas steps on the gas…
…bringing his Yamaha powered Skeet boat to top speed.
…bringing his Yamaha powered Skeet boat to top speed.
Local favorite Casey Ashley hopes to finish at the top in his home state of South Carolina.
Local favorite Casey Ashley hopes to finish at the top in his home state of South Carolina.
Bobby Lane comes by the camera running wide open…
Bobby Lane comes by the camera running wide open…
…followed closely by his brother Chris Lane.
…followed closely by his brother Chris Lane.
You can always spot Chris Lane’s boat by the American flag aboard his boat.
You can always spot Chris Lane’s boat by the American flag aboard his boat.
Despite being under the weather all week, Todd Faircloth toughed it out and made the final cut.
Despite being under the weather all week, Todd Faircloth toughed it out and made the final cut.
Takahiro Omori reaches his first fishing location.
Takahiro Omori reaches his first fishing location.
The one thing you can count on, the leader of a Bassmaster Classic will have plenty of cameras on him on the final day.
The one thing you can count on, the leader of a Bassmaster Classic will have plenty of cameras on him on the final day.
Takahiro drops on a fish he saw while watching his electronics…
Takahiro drops on a fish he saw while watching his electronics…
…hoping to boat his first fish of the day.
…hoping to boat his first fish of the day.
Randy Howell started the day in 4th place with 30 pounds, 11 ounces.
Randy Howell started the day in 4th place with 30 pounds, 11 ounces.
Howell has an opportunity to become one of only three anglers to win back to back Bassmaster Classics. Kevin VanDam and Rick Clunn are the only two back to back champions.
Howell has an opportunity to become one of only three anglers to win back to back Bassmaster Classics. Kevin VanDam and Rick Clunn are the only two back to back champions.
Howell was moving often early in the day.
Howell was moving often early in the day.
He grabs a quick drink before taking his hole shot.
He grabs a quick drink before taking his hole shot.
Howell’s next stop was on a long shallow point.
Howell’s next stop was on a long shallow point.
His rod loads up…
His rod loads up…
…and he fires a cast across the point.
…and he fires a cast across the point.
Then quickly launches another.
Then quickly launches another.
Have to keep those hooks clean…
Have to keep those hooks clean…
…and make a quick inspection of them when you’re fishing a rocky bottom.
…and make a quick inspection of them when you’re fishing a rocky bottom.
Howell moves to an area next to a marina.
Howell moves to an area next to a marina.
It’s going to be an all-day grind.
It’s going to be an all-day grind.
One last day to get it done on beautiful Lake Hartwell.
One last day to get it done on beautiful Lake Hartwell.
The presence of birds in the water is usually a good thing for a fisherman…
The presence of birds in the water is usually a good thing for a fisherman…
…but this spot failed to produce a fish. Time to make another move.
…but this spot failed to produce a fish. Time to make another move.
Howell reaches for his head gear before starting a long run.
Howell reaches for his head gear before starting a long run.