Day 4: Christie on the water

Go on the water with Jason Christie on the final day of the Bassmaster Elite at Delaware River.

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Jason Christie tucked himself far away in the back of Big Timber Creek.
Jason Christie tucked himself far away in the back of Big Timber Creek.
At launch, the tide made the path to his sweet spot easily passable.
At launch, the tide made the path to his sweet spot easily passable.
But by 9 a.m., the tide was so low that it took an hour and a half to idle back there.
But by 9 a.m., the tide was so low that it took an hour and a half to idle back there.
Christie was burning buzzbaits through the thin water looking for a bite.
Christie was burning buzzbaits through the thin water looking for a bite.
The creek, during high tide, is rather wide at this point. But at mid-morning, it was mostly beach.
The creek, during high tide, is rather wide at this point. But at mid-morning, it was mostly beach.
Christie wanted a reaction bite.
Christie wanted a reaction bite.
He got one pretty quickly once the tide had gone out.
He got one pretty quickly once the tide had gone out.
In the box he goes.
In the box he goes.
Christie was happy to get on the board.
Christie was happy to get on the board.
Unlike many other parts of the river, this creek is devoid of road noise, so you could not only see his buzzbait running toward him, you could hear it, too.
Unlike many other parts of the river, this creek is devoid of road noise, so you could not only see his buzzbait running toward him, you could hear it, too.
Christie remains focused. He’s moved up to the winner’s spot from several places back before; he’d love to do it again.
Christie remains focused. He’s moved up to the winner’s spot from several places back before; he’d love to do it again.
In high tide, that would be a laydown. Now, it’s just a suspended tree branch.
In high tide, that would be a laydown. Now, it’s just a suspended tree branch.
Christie is the only person around, except for the TV and media boats that are following him.
Christie is the only person around, except for the TV and media boats that are following him.
The water underneath his boat is only 1 1/2 feet deep.
The water underneath his boat is only 1 1/2 feet deep.
There were only a few spots of shade of this first quarter-mile.
There were only a few spots of shade of this first quarter-mile.
Here’s another example of wood that will be submerged in just a few hours.
Here’s another example of wood that will be submerged in just a few hours.
With practically no water in the creek, the vegetation towers over him.
With practically no water in the creek, the vegetation towers over him.
Often it appears that he’s casting onto the beach, but he gets the lure right to the edge of the water before he brings it back.
Often it appears that he’s casting onto the beach, but he gets the lure right to the edge of the water before he brings it back.
He hooks up!
He hooks up!
He starts horsing it in ...
He starts horsing it in …
... breaks the surface of the water ...
… breaks the surface of the water …
... brings it up ...
… brings it up …
... and adds another pound or two to his total weight.
… and adds another pound or two to his total weight.
He’s just got to do that three more times to complete his limit.
He’s just got to do that three more times to complete his limit.
He gets right back at it ...
He gets right back at it …
... and continues casting during the hour-long window he’s got of the super-low tide.
… and continues casting during the hour-long window he’s got of the super-low tide.