Day Three on the Mighty Miss II

More on-the-water action from Day Three of the Diet Mountain Dew Mississippi River Rumble presented by Power-Pole.

<p>Early on Day Three, J. Todd Tucker hooks up with a good fish off some main channel rock in La Crosse, Wis.</p>
Early on Day Three, J. Todd Tucker hooks up with a good fish off some main channel rock in La Crosse, Wis.
<p>Steve Kennedy hooked up quickly as well on Day Three. Unfortunately, the 2-pound smallmouth shakes loose after several hard runs.</p>
Steve Kennedy hooked up quickly as well on Day Three. Unfortunately, the 2-pound smallmouth shakes loose after several hard runs.
<p>After losing the fish, Kennedy takes a moment to retie.</p>
After losing the fish, Kennedy takes a moment to retie.
<p>In what has been a seriously weather-affected event, heavy rains force us to retreat under a bridge to keep the camera and phones dry.</p>
In what has been a seriously weather-affected event, heavy rains force us to retreat under a bridge to keep the camera and phones dry.
<p>Even herons can get frazzled in the rain!</p>
Even herons can get frazzled in the rain!
<p>Once the storm passes, we quickly located 1982 Classic champ Paul Elias fishing a main-river bank.</p>
Once the storm passes, we quickly located 1982 Classic champ Paul Elias fishing a main-river bank.
<p>Paul Elias is methodically working a small swimbait tight to shoreline cover. Elias caught 24-9 over the first two days and entered Day Three in 31st place.</p>
Paul Elias is methodically working a small swimbait tight to shoreline cover. Elias caught 24-9 over the first two days and entered Day Three in 31st place.
<p>Chris Zaldain fishes the “famed” mile marker 701.3, the spot where Day Two leader Brandon Palaniuk made his unfortunate culling error. Zaldain and Palaniuk are close friends and traveling partners, and Palaniuk urged Zaldain to fish the area.</p>
Chris Zaldain fishes the “famed” mile marker 701.3, the spot where Day Two leader Brandon Palaniuk made his unfortunate culling error. Zaldain and Palaniuk are close friends and traveling partners, and Palaniuk urged Zaldain to fish the area.
<p>Zaldain alternates between a tube and a crankbait, fishing fast in the heavy current.</p>
Zaldain alternates between a tube and a crankbait, fishing fast in the heavy current.
<p>After boating two 3-pound fish early, Zaldain contemplates a move downriver.</p>
After boating two 3-pound fish early, Zaldain contemplates a move downriver.
<p>After a 10-mile run down pool 8, we locate Greg Vinson just as he finishes culling a fish. He’s got a limit though!</p>
After a 10-mile run down pool 8, we locate Greg Vinson just as he finishes culling a fish. He’s got a limit though!
<p>Vinson is alternating between a frog and a flipping bait.</p>
Vinson is alternating between a frog and a flipping bait.
<p>Although many anglers have reported a sub-par frog bite, Vinson has boated quality limits both days on the amphibian.</p>
Although many anglers have reported a sub-par frog bite, Vinson has boated quality limits both days on the amphibian.
<p>Card and Jordon pass within feet of each other while probing the grass.</p>
Card and Jordon pass within feet of each other while probing the grass.
<p>After 15 minutes with no action, Pace has seen enough and leaves for greener pastures.</p>
After 15 minutes with no action, Pace has seen enough and leaves for greener pastures.
<p>Jordon and Card almost mirror each other, both throwing frogs to scattered mats of vegetation.</p>
Jordon and Card almost mirror each other, both throwing frogs to scattered mats of vegetation.
<p>Card says he’s had a pretty good numbers day, and has between 12 and 13 pounds.</p>
Card says he’s had a pretty good numbers day, and has between 12 and 13 pounds.
<p>Jordon also has a limit, although not as heavy.</p>
Jordon also has a limit, although not as heavy.
<p>Jordon jokes, “If you want to see fish caught, follow Card around. He’s caught like 100 already today.”</p>
Jordon jokes, “If you want to see fish caught, follow Card around. He’s caught like 100 already today.”
<p>16th place angler Yusuke Miyazaki is also in the area.</p>
16th place angler Yusuke Miyazaki is also in the area.
<p>Miyazaki takes the time to explain that he’s already had a “pretty good day” and just needs a kicker to be really happy.</p>
Miyazaki takes the time to explain that he’s already had a “pretty good day” and just needs a kicker to be really happy.
<p>He quickly starts fishing a riprap point with a swimjig.</p>
He quickly starts fishing a riprap point with a swimjig.
<p>Swimjigs are an Upper Mississippi river secret, and Miyazaki is well-versed in their usage.</p>
Swimjigs are an Upper Mississippi river secret, and Miyazaki is well-versed in their usage.
<p>Gone less than an hour, Pace comes zipping back into the same area he previously left.</p>
Gone less than an hour, Pace comes zipping back into the same area he previously left.
<p>Miyazaki switches to methodically working a hollow-bodied frog over matted vegetation.</p>
Miyazaki switches to methodically working a hollow-bodied frog over matted vegetation.
<p>"I love frog fishing, but hate it at the same time,” Miyazaki grimaces after twice missing a large blowup.</p>
“I love frog fishing, but hate it at the same time,” Miyazaki grimaces after twice missing a large blowup.
<p>Later in the morning, Zaldain returns to 701.3 and immediately hangs a big fish.</p>
Later in the morning, Zaldain returns to 701.3 and immediately hangs a big fish.
<p>These river smallmouth don’t give up easily.</p>
These river smallmouth don’t give up easily.
<p>Having a big smallmouth hooked can be a pretty stressful experience.</p>
Having a big smallmouth hooked can be a pretty stressful experience.
<p>He reaches for it.</p>
He reaches for it.
<p>Success!</p>
Success!
<p>Zaldain’s eyes immediately light up when he finally lips the fish.</p>
Zaldain’s eyes immediately light up when he finally lips the fish.
<p>A 4-pound plus fish is a huge bonus on a river that fishes as tight as the Upper Mississippi.</p>
A 4-pound plus fish is a huge bonus on a river that fishes as tight as the Upper Mississippi.
<p>Zaldain’s Marshal also wants a piece of the action.</p>
Zaldain’s Marshal also wants a piece of the action.
<p>What a fish!</p>
What a fish!
<p>Smile for the camera.</p>
Smile for the camera.
<p>In the well she goes.</p>
In the well she goes.
<p>Zaldain fishes a rock point as locals enjoy their waverunner in the background.</p>
Zaldain fishes a rock point as locals enjoy their waverunner in the background.
<p>Zaldain has been focusing on main river rock and mainly targeting smallmouth on Day Three. </p>
Zaldain has been focusing on main river rock and mainly targeting smallmouth on Day Three. 
<p>At last, Zaldain boats another smallmouth.</p>
At last, Zaldain boats another smallmouth.
<p>Not a giant.</p>
Not a giant.
<p>But it makes it!</p>
But it makes it!
<p>Fishing in Minnesota waters, Zaldain is now faced with a choice. Keep the fish and leave Minnesota, or pitch it back and risk not bringing in a limit.</p>
Fishing in Minnesota waters, Zaldain is now faced with a choice. Keep the fish and leave Minnesota, or pitch it back and risk not bringing in a limit.
<p>Zaldain elects to keep the fish and move out of Minnesota for the remainder of the day.</p>
Zaldain elects to keep the fish and move out of Minnesota for the remainder of the day.