Day 3 with Connell on the Alabama River

Head out on the water with Day 2 leader Dustin Connell as he tries to cap off a wire-to-wire victory on the Alabama River in the Bass Pro Shops Southern Open presented by Allstate.

We head out on the water with Day 2 leader Dustin Connell as he tries to cap off a wire-to-wire victory on the Alabama River in the Bass Pro Shops Southern Open presented by Allstate. Connell and co-angler David Byrd arrive to their starting spot.
We head out on the water with Day 2 leader Dustin Connell as he tries to cap off a wire-to-wire victory on the Alabama River in the Bass Pro Shops Southern Open presented by Allstate. Connell and co-angler David Byrd arrive to their starting spot.
Dustin Connell caught the majority of his fish south of here this week, but found some big fish here during practice.
Dustin Connell caught the majority of his fish south of here this week, but found some big fish here during practice.
Connell goes to work with a spinnerbait.
Connell goes to work with a spinnerbait.
The occasional passerby enjoys the Montgomery Riverwalk.
The occasional passerby enjoys the Montgomery Riverwalk.
Connell sends his spinnerbait out...
Connell sends his spinnerbait out…
and connects.
and connects.
This looks like a good one.
This looks like a good one.
The fish nears the surface...
The fish nears the surface…
but it's hard to tell what he's got.
but it’s hard to tell what he’s got.
“Do you see that?’
Connell swings in a turtle...
Connell swings in a turtle…
which has actually bitten his spinnerbait.
which has actually bitten his spinnerbait.
'Are you kidding me?'
‘Are you kidding me?’
Though Connell has lead since Day 1, this tournament has been far from a picnic. On Day 1 he ran south and locked down to grind out 22-pounds 3-ounces with only 10 bites all day. On Day 2 he returned to find his honey-hole overflowing with muddy and high water. He scratched out 14-8 after locking back up and now completely changed his game plan for Day 3.
Though Connell has lead since Day 1, this tournament has been far from a picnic. On Day 1 he ran south and locked down to grind out 22-pounds 3-ounces with only 10 bites all day. On Day 2 he returned to find his honey-hole overflowing with muddy and high water. He scratched out 14-8 after locking back up and now completely changed his game plan for Day 3.
But Connell grew up fishing this river and the nearby Coosa chain of lakes. He knows what he's doing.
But Connell grew up fishing this river and the nearby Coosa chain of lakes. He knows what he’s doing.
Connell sends his spinnerbait out again...
Connell sends his spinnerbait out again…
...
and this time connects with a bass.
and this time connects with a bass.
By the looks of things...
By the looks of things…
this is a good one.
this is a good one.
The fish fights to break free as Connell struggles to bring it to the boat.
The fish fights to break free as Connell struggles to bring it to the boat.
Almost there.
Almost there.
Connell drags the fish up...
Connell drags the fish up…
...and into the boat.
…and into the boat.
Number one is a good one.
Number one is a good one.
David Byrd sends a cast out...
David Byrd sends a cast out…
...and Connell does the same.
…and Connell does the same.
Another cast...
Another cast…
...and Connell hooks up again.
…and Connell hooks up again.
This one is feisty.
This one is feisty.
As Connell brings the fish over the side of the boat...
As Connell brings the fish over the side of the boat…
...he knows it's another good one.
…he knows it’s another good one.
Connell is on a roll here early.
Connell is on a roll here early.
A little love for the GoPro.
A little love for the GoPro.
Connell is in the zone now...
Connell is in the zone now…
...and continues to sling the spinnerbait out...
…and continues to sling the spinnerbait out…
again and again.
again and again.
I decide to dock the boat just in front of the Harriott II and gain a little better vantage point.
I decide to dock the boat just in front of the Harriott II and gain a little better vantage point.
Connell decides to swap to a crankbait...
Connell decides to swap to a crankbait…
...for a few casts.
…for a few casts.
Byrd sends a cast out.
Byrd sends a cast out.
Connell swaps back to the spinnerbait.
Connell swaps back to the spinnerbait.
Time to retie.
Time to retie.
The riverboat, Harriott II, looms in the background.
The riverboat, Harriott II, looms in the background.
Connell sends his spinnerbait out.
Connell sends his spinnerbait out.
And it falls into the swift Alabama River.
And it falls into the swift Alabama River.
Jeremy Prouty zings by.
Jeremy Prouty zings by.
Prouty started the day in 4th.
Prouty started the day in 4th.
Connell hooks up.
Connell hooks up.
Another battle ensues.
Another battle ensues.
And Connell ends up with another good one in his hands.
And Connell ends up with another good one in his hands.
Connell is in the zone.
Connell is in the zone.
A big Alabama River spot heads to the livewell.
A big Alabama River spot heads to the livewell.
Connell sends another cast or two out with the spinnerbait...
Connell sends another cast or two out with the spinnerbait…
...then swaps back to the crankbait...
…then swaps back to the crankbait…
...before swapping back to the spinnerbait again.
…before swapping back to the spinnerbait again.
The fish come up busting just beneath my feet.
The fish come up busting just beneath my feet.
Connell grins, he knows they're here and he's not going anywhere.
Connell grins, he knows they’re here and he’s not going anywhere.
Luke Clausen blows by headed upriver.
Luke Clausen blows by headed upriver.
There's a lot of this going on out here.
There’s a lot of this going on out here.
Connell hooks up...
Connell hooks up…
...with another giant spotted bass.
…with another giant spotted bass.
The fight continues...
The fight continues…
...until Connell is able to slide the vicious fish...
…until Connell is able to slide the vicious fish…
...into the boat.
…into the boat.
Number 4 lands in the boat...
Number 4 lands in the boat…
...and Connell knows he's one bite away from a major win.
…and Connell knows he’s one bite away from a major win.
Connell is happy with this one...
Connell is happy with this one…
...and heads to the well.
…and heads to the well.
Another tank goes into the livewell.
Another tank goes into the livewell.
Connell works in close to the Riverwalk for a few casts.
Connell works in close to the Riverwalk for a few casts.
He then bounces back out.
He then bounces back out.
Finally warming up a bit.
Finally warming up a bit.
Connell's gallery is growing. We're now at one.
Connell’s gallery is growing. We’re now at one.
Needing one more fish, Connell digs in the box...
Needing one more fish, Connell digs in the box…
...to get a sandwich. If it's not broke, don't fix it. He's sticking with the spinnerbait.
…to get a sandwich. If it’s not broke, don’t fix it. He’s sticking with the spinnerbait.
The fish start to break near the end of the Riverwalk.
The fish start to break near the end of the Riverwalk.
Connell picks one up.
Connell picks one up.
Not a giant...
Not a giant…
...but a pound in the right direction.
…but a pound in the right direction.
Connell contemplates what to do next...
Connell contemplates what to do next…
Stay here and grind out another good one, or go on 'the old milk run' that's caught him so many big fish here in the past.
Stay here and grind out another good one, or go on ‘the old milk run’ that’s caught him so many big fish here in the past.
Connell opts to make a move...
Connell opts to make a move…
...and heads up river...
…and heads up river…
...
...
...
Jeremy Prouty...
Jeremy Prouty…
...tells us about his morning so far. He has about 14-pounds including one big one.
…tells us about his morning so far. He has about 14-pounds including one big one.
An Alabama River special comes buzzing by.
An Alabama River special comes buzzing by.
Co-angler Jason Rice only has one...
Co-angler Jason Rice only has one…
...but with ounces separating the top cos, Rice is glad to have it.
…but with ounces separating the top cos, Rice is glad to have it.
We leave Prouty dragging his worm and head in.
We leave Prouty dragging his worm and head in.