Final day on the Basin

Join photographer Ronnie Moore on the Atchafalaya Basin on the final day of the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Central Open #3. Tournament leader and Elite Series pro Fred Roumbanis, who started the day over six pounds ahead of 2nd place Greg Hackney, hopes to secure victory and a Bassmaster Classic berth in southern Louisiana.
Join photographer Ronnie Moore on the Atchafalaya Basin on the final day of the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Central Open #3. Tournament leader and Elite Series pro Fred Roumbanis, who started the day over six pounds ahead of 2nd place Greg Hackney, hopes to secure victory and a Bassmaster Classic berth in southern Louisiana.
Travis Kelehan started the day in 11th place, over 11 pounds behind Roumbanis. There is still hope as the fishing hasn't been stellar for every competitor.
Travis Kelehan started the day in 11th place, over 11 pounds behind Roumbanis. There is still hope as the fishing hasn’t been stellar for every competitor.
He had room to move up and there was more money to be made for Kelehan.
He had room to move up and there was more money to be made for Kelehan.
After spending some time with him, we take off in search of Greg Hackney. There were more non-bass boats out today than we've seen all week.
After spending some time with him, we take off in search of Greg Hackney. There were more non-bass boats out today than we’ve seen all week.
After two hours and no luck finding Hackney, we return to Kelehan.
After two hours and no luck finding Hackney, we return to Kelehan.
He informed us that he only had one keeper at the moment, but seconds later he hooked up.
He informed us that he only had one keeper at the moment, but seconds later he hooked up.
This looks like a possible second keeper for him.
This looks like a possible second keeper for him.
It indeed was, leaving him three fish to get his limit. Meanwhile his co-angler, Day 2 leader Blake Naquin, had his three-fish limit and was hoping to close the door on the co-angler title.
It indeed was, leaving him three fish to get his limit. Meanwhile his co-angler, Day 2 leader Blake Naquin, had his three-fish limit and was hoping to close the door on the co-angler title.
Kelehan kept fishing down the stretch of bank.
Kelehan kept fishing down the stretch of bank.
He picks out a new bait...
He picks out a new bait…
And dips it in chartreuse to help the fish find it in this muddy water.
And dips it in chartreuse to help the fish find it in this muddy water.
In a last ditch effort, we found Hackney as he fished down a stretch of cypress trees.
In a last ditch effort, we found Hackney as he fished down a stretch of cypress trees.
He takes a moment to tie on a bait.
He takes a moment to tie on a bait.
He hooks up on his second cast with this bait.
He hooks up on his second cast with this bait.
He swings this chunky keeper in the boat.
He swings this chunky keeper in the boat.
He uses pliers to get the hooks out of the fish's mouth.
He uses pliers to get the hooks out of the fish’s mouth.
Solid fish for Hackney as he takes it to the livewell. Now we'll get to see what his morning was like.
Solid fish for Hackney as he takes it to the livewell. Now we’ll get to see what his morning was like.
He pulled out a bunch of cookie cutter fish that he classified as
He pulled out a bunch of cookie cutter fish that he classified as “rats.”
After making a cull, he made a few casts.
After making a cull, he made a few casts.
And caught another fish. This one didn't help him, and it was released.
And caught another fish. This one didn’t help him, and it was released.
An eagle soars overhead as Hackney fishes.
An eagle soars overhead as Hackney fishes.
At times he was way back in the thick stuff.
At times he was way back in the thick stuff.
Co-angler Dakota Sparks tries to avoid the tree limbs as he flips to the base of a cypress tree.
Co-angler Dakota Sparks tries to avoid the tree limbs as he flips to the base of a cypress tree.
Hackney uses a cool line/rod trick to get his bait unstuck from a decent distance away.
Hackney uses a cool line/rod trick to get his bait unstuck from a decent distance away.
Hackney decided to make a short move and gets in the driver's seat to head out.
Hackney decided to make a short move and gets in the driver’s seat to head out.
There were plenty of targets to hit and plenty of hiding places for bass.
There were plenty of targets to hit and plenty of hiding places for bass.
After they go around a clump of cypress trees, we hear a noise that sounded like a fish catch.
After they go around a clump of cypress trees, we hear a noise that sounded like a fish catch.
Indeed it was. Sparks had landed a keeper, his third of the day.
Indeed it was. Sparks had landed a keeper, his third of the day.
He holds up a couple to compare so that when it comes time to cull he know which fish is next to go.
He holds up a couple to compare so that when it comes time to cull he know which fish is next to go.
Hackney slows down and flips a cypress tree before heading to another spot.
Hackney slows down and flips a cypress tree before heading to another spot.
Hackney makes a cull.
Hackney makes a cull.
He hooked up again and quickly swung the fish in.
He hooked up again and quickly swung the fish in.
Solid fish for Hackney.
Solid fish for Hackney.
That looks like a solid fish to throw back at the Atchafalaya.
That looks like a solid fish to throw back at the Atchafalaya.
We ask him a series of questions, and Hackney obliges with answers and interesting information.
We ask him a series of questions, and Hackney obliges with answers and interesting information.
Although he had competitors around him on Days 1 and 2 he didn't think it was too much pressure for the endless targets that are present.
Although he had competitors around him on Days 1 and 2 he didn’t think it was too much pressure for the endless targets that are present.
He hooks a fish right at the boat and as he pulls up to swing it in, it comes unbuttoned. Fortunately for Hackney it was already mid-flight and it would eventually come towards the boat.
He hooks a fish right at the boat and as he pulls up to swing it in, it comes unbuttoned. Fortunately for Hackney it was already mid-flight and it would eventually come towards the boat.
Then the 2014 Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year rushes to keep it in the boat as it bounces off the seat.
Then the 2014 Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year rushes to keep it in the boat as it bounces off the seat.
Hackney saved it and made another cull with it.
Hackney saved it and made another cull with it.
There are numerous water lines on these cypress trees. Some are from the tide, while others are from the major flooding that has occurred here over the last year.
There are numerous water lines on these cypress trees. Some are from the tide, while others are from the major flooding that has occurred here over the last year.
Hackney takes a moment to retie as this day is almost done.
Hackney takes a moment to retie as this day is almost done.
Sparks snuck into the Top 12 in the final spot, but will surely move up with his solid three fish.
Sparks snuck into the Top 12 in the final spot, but will surely move up with his solid three fish.