Day 4 from the sky

Take in the view from above as the final 12 anglers battle it out on the last day of the Bassmaster Elite at Delaware River.

Posted on
With the Philadelphia skyline in the background, the final 12 anglers prepare for the day on the banks of the Delaware River.
With the Philadelphia skyline in the background, the final 12 anglers prepare for the day on the banks of the Delaware River.
The top six anglers going into the day gather around the takeoff dock.
The top six anglers going into the day gather around the takeoff dock.
The bottom six sit to the side with Power-Poles down.
The bottom six sit to the side with Power-Poles down.
Michael Iaconelli (foreground) visits with friends as the anglers wait for the 6:15 a.m. start.
Michael Iaconelli (foreground) visits with friends as the anglers wait for the 6:15 a.m. start.
To the east, the sun peeks over the horizon.
To the east, the sun peeks over the horizon.
As the day gets brighter, the anglers get ready for takeoff.
As the day gets brighter, the anglers get ready for takeoff.
At 6:15 a.m., Michael Iaconelli leads the boats away from the dock.
At 6:15 a.m., Michael Iaconelli leads the boats away from the dock.
Bill Lowen (foreground) heads north, while Iaconelli and Scott Rook head south.
Bill Lowen (foreground) heads north, while Iaconelli and Scott Rook head south.
Carey Barrett begins to tape the run down the river.
Carey Barrett begins to tape the run down the river.
Iaconelli rushes under the first bridge that connects Philadelphia with New Jersey.
Iaconelli rushes under the first bridge that connects Philadelphia with New Jersey.
Iaconelli was way out in front
Iaconelli was way out in front
In the boat race and the standings.
In the boat race and the standings.
With the sun back-lighting his splash, he cuts a swath down the Delaware.
With the sun back-lighting his splash, he cuts a swath down the Delaware.
Coming from behind is Kevin Short.
Coming from behind is Kevin Short.
Short was making the longest run of all the 12 anglers, about 70 miles one way.
Short was making the longest run of all the 12 anglers, about 70 miles one way.
Next to him is Rook.
Next to him is Rook.
Short and Rook race down the Delaware.
Short and Rook race down the Delaware.
Passing under several bridges on the trip.
Passing under several bridges on the trip.
Rook’s boat heads south as the sun peeks over the New Jersey shoreline.
Rook’s boat heads south as the sun peeks over the New Jersey shoreline.
Rook waves to the helicopter as he races south.
Rook waves to the helicopter as he races south.
Then passes under the helicopter.
Then passes under the helicopter.
Jason Christie’s trip takes him by a cargo ship.
Jason Christie’s trip takes him by a cargo ship.
He adjusts his glasses as his cameraman hangs on.
He adjusts his glasses as his cameraman hangs on.
The further south the anglers travel, the more barge wakes they encounter.
The further south the anglers travel, the more barge wakes they encounter.
John Crews skips across a wake.
John Crews skips across a wake.
Then heads down into the swale...
Then heads down into the swale…
...sending a spray of water in every direction.
…sending a spray of water in every direction.
Then bounces across the next one...
Then bounces across the next one…
...producing more spray...
…producing more spray…
...and almost obscuring the motor.
…and almost obscuring the motor.
Crews never checked up and...
Crews never checked up and…
...with the tug boat behind him...
…with the tug boat behind him…
...it’s smooth sailing and all his rods are still in place.
…it’s smooth sailing and all his rods are still in place.
Chad Pipken makes his way south. But the Philadelphia airport diverted us.
Chad Pipken makes his way south. But the Philadelphia airport diverted us.
Taking us over the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The museum’s steps were made famous by Rocky when he ran up them in the movie of the same name.
Taking us over the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The museum’s steps were made famous by Rocky when he ran up them in the movie of the same name.
The Museum of Art sits in the shadows of downtown Philadelphia.
The Museum of Art sits in the shadows of downtown Philadelphia.
Back on the Delaware River, Byron Velvick is casting near the main riverbank.
Back on the Delaware River, Byron Velvick is casting near the main riverbank.
Velvick started the day in 10th place.
Velvick started the day in 10th place.
In Rancocas Creek Skeet Reese is fishing near a marina.
In Rancocas Creek Skeet Reese is fishing near a marina.
Lightning Jack’s Marina to be exact.
Lightning Jack’s Marina to be exact.
Reese started the day in seventh place.
Reese started the day in seventh place.
He jumped into the top 12 on the strength of the big bass on Day 3, a 4-6 lunker.
He jumped into the top 12 on the strength of the big bass on Day 3, a 4-6 lunker.
Rancocas Creek is where three of the top 12 fished.
Rancocas Creek is where three of the top 12 fished.
Shaw Grigsby is one of those, starting the day in fifth place.
Shaw Grigsby is one of those, starting the day in fifth place.
Rancocas has a lot of no-wake areas...
Rancocas has a lot of no-wake areas…
...forcing anglers to idle for a period...
…forcing anglers to idle for a period…
...then run for a little ways...
…then run for a little ways…
...before shutting down...
…before shutting down…
...and idling again.
…and idling again.
Then running again.
Then running again.
The creek winds its way back into the New Jersey countryside.
The creek winds its way back into the New Jersey countryside.
Grigsby (left) catches up to Bill Lowen (right).
Grigsby (left) catches up to Bill Lowen (right).
Lowen idles through a cut, as Grigsby speeds up the creek.
Lowen idles through a cut, as Grigsby speeds up the creek.
Lowen started the day in second place.
Lowen started the day in second place.
And is going the farthest up the creek of the three anglers.
And is going the farthest up the creek of the three anglers.
Like the other anglers his idles and run time are interspersed.
Like the other anglers his idles and run time are interspersed.
The creek is natural and a stark contrast to the city limits of Philadelphia.
The creek is natural and a stark contrast to the city limits of Philadelphia.
The on-again, off-again run takes time.
The on-again, off-again run takes time.
Passing beautiful homes on the way.
Passing beautiful homes on the way.
And stunning landscapes.
And stunning landscapes.
Grigsby fishes a cut in an island.
Grigsby fishes a cut in an island.
While camera boat driver Don Ahart puts Seigo Saito and Pete Robbins in position to shoot photos and blog.
While camera boat driver Don Ahart puts Seigo Saito and Pete Robbins in position to shoot photos and blog.
Going into the derby, Grigsby thought he could win the tournament, but a poor Day 1 hurt him.
Going into the derby, Grigsby thought he could win the tournament, but a poor Day 1 hurt him.
Reese makes his way up the creek.
Reese makes his way up the creek.
Joking with the camera as it passes overhead.
Joking with the camera as it passes overhead.
The banks of the creeks are highlighted by ditches laid out in the vegetation.
The banks of the creeks are highlighted by ditches laid out in the vegetation.
The mouth of the creek opens up to the Philadelphia skyline.
The mouth of the creek opens up to the Philadelphia skyline.
The Benjamin Franklin Bridge is a fixture in the city.
The Benjamin Franklin Bridge is a fixture in the city.
As is Citizens Bank Park, where the Phillies play baseball.
As is Citizens Bank Park, where the Phillies play baseball.
Next door is Lincoln Financial Field, where the Eagles play.
Next door is Lincoln Financial Field, where the Eagles play.
And next to them is the Wells Fargo Center, where the 76ers and the Flyers compete.
And next to them is the Wells Fargo Center, where the 76ers and the Flyers compete.
In downtown, William Penn, city founder, watches over the city and the Delaware River atop Philadelphia City Hall.
In downtown, William Penn, city founder, watches over the city and the Delaware River atop Philadelphia City Hall.
Close by is Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence was signed.
Close by is Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence was signed.