Day 3 with Elam, Browning

Tag along as we chase James Elam and Stephen Browning on the final day of the Bass Pro Shops Central Open #2 presented by Allstate.

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Tag along as we chase James Elam and Stephen Browning on the final day of the Bass Pro Shops Central Open #2 presented by Allstate.
Tag along as we chase James Elam and Stephen Browning on the final day of the Bass Pro Shops Central Open #2 presented by Allstate.
Elam starts shallow...
Elam starts shallow…
around a lot of shad.
around a lot of shad.
The only problem...
The only problem…
the bass are pretty small.
the bass are pretty small.
Elam swaps over to a buzzbait.
Elam swaps over to a buzzbait.
There are Vs everywhere on top of the water.
There are Vs everywhere on top of the water.
Again though, this area seems to only be producing slightly-larger-than-bait bass today.
Again though, this area seems to only be producing slightly-larger-than-bait bass today.
Elam is in hot pursuit of keeper number one.
Elam is in hot pursuit of keeper number one.
As the top water activity dies down, Elam moves to a bottom bait.
As the top water activity dies down, Elam moves to a bottom bait.
It doesn't take long to get a bite.
It doesn’t take long to get a bite.
This one looks a little better.
This one looks a little better.
Might be a keeper.
Might be a keeper.
Time to see.
Time to see.
Not going to make it.
Not going to make it.
Elam rotates through between a worm, jig and biffle bug.
Elam rotates through between a worm, jig and biffle bug.
A cast goes out for co-angler Mike McCormick.
A cast goes out for co-angler Mike McCormick.
Elam underhand pitches his worm out...
Elam underhand pitches his worm out…
...
…
...
…
Another small one for Elam.
Another small one for Elam.
Elam sends another cast out...
Elam sends another cast out…
...
…
Cast after cast.
Cast after cast.
Elam grinds on this spot, targeting a rough patch of chunk rock.
Elam grinds on this spot, targeting a rough patch of chunk rock.
After no keepers on the bigger baits...
After no keepers on the bigger baits…
Elam works this spot over one more time with a shaky head.
Elam works this spot over one more time with a shaky head.
No fish but no worries for Elam, he knows the bite gets better as the day goes on.
No fish but no worries for Elam, he knows the bite gets better as the day goes on.
Elam makes a move to an off-shore spot.
Elam makes a move to an off-shore spot.
Sticking with the bottom baits here.
Sticking with the bottom baits here.
A little breeze on the water is a good thing on Fort Gibson right now.
A little breeze on the water is a good thing on Fort Gibson right now.
A lot of baitfish in the area...
A lot of baitfish in the area…
but it seems the fish have become lazy due to the overabundance of food. Instead of using crankbaits to mimic the shad, most anglers are having more luck dragging a slow moving easy target around for the bass.
but it seems the fish have become lazy due to the overabundance of food. Instead of using crankbaits to mimic the shad, most anglers are having more luck dragging a slow moving easy target around for the bass.
Hooked up.
Hooked up.
This one is worth weighing.
This one is worth weighing.
Elam does battle.
Elam does battle.
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…
...
…
Got her.
Got her.
...
…
...
…
A good one goes in the box.
A good one goes in the box.
Time for another.
Time for another.
Here we go again.
Here we go again.
In a matter of 10 minutes or so, Elam has hooked up with two good fish.
In a matter of 10 minutes or so, Elam has hooked up with two good fish.
...
…
This one is dictating where the fight takes place as it battles around Elam's trolling motor.
This one is dictating where the fight takes place as it battles around Elam’s trolling motor.
Elam reaches out...
Elam reaches out…
Got her.
Got her.
Another good one.
Another good one.
Time to show her to the GoPro.
Time to show her to the GoPro.
Back to the grind.
Back to the grind.
Two good ones in the box early are big on Fort Gibson right now.
Two good ones in the box early are big on Fort Gibson right now.
A look at what Elam's throwing.
A look at what Elam’s throwing.
Mike McCormick sending another cast out.
Mike McCormick sending another cast out.
Time for Elam to make a move and we move off of him in pursuit of Stephen Browning.
Time for Elam to make a move and we move off of him in pursuit of Stephen Browning.
Stephen Browning skips his ChatterBait under a tree.
Stephen Browning skips his ChatterBait under a tree.
Browning seems to win a Central Open per year.
Browning seems to win a Central Open per year.
This week Browning has enjoyed one of his favorite techniques, cranking a ChatterBait around wood.
This week Browning has enjoyed one of his favorite techniques, cranking a ChatterBait around wood.
Flooded willows, stumps and bushes provide shallow cover for the Fort Gibson bass.
Flooded willows, stumps and bushes provide shallow cover for the Fort Gibson bass.
During practice, most of the cover that Browning is targeting was on dry land.
During practice, most of the cover that Browning is targeting was on dry land.
Since the start of the event, the water has risen nearly 3 feet.
Since the start of the event, the water has risen nearly 3 feet.
Day 1 leader Brad Whatley is also fishing in the area.
Day 1 leader Brad Whatley is also fishing in the area.
Browning decides to make a move.
Browning decides to make a move.
Running and gunning...
Running and gunning…
Browning pulls up to a spot...
Browning pulls up to a spot…
makes a few casts...
makes a few casts…
then looks to the graph for his next move.
then looks to the graph for his next move.
This spot turns out to be a good stop.
This spot turns out to be a good stop.
Browning has two 3-pounders in the boat already...
Browning has two 3-pounders in the boat already…
and is excited to add this chunk to the mix.
and is excited to add this chunk to the mix.
Now Browning is only a couple big bites away from winning this thing.
Now Browning is only a couple big bites away from winning this thing.
Having started the final day in 3rd, less than 4-pounds back, Browning knows this one isn't out of reach.
Having started the final day in 3rd, less than 4-pounds back, Browning knows this one isn’t out of reach.
Time to make another move.
Time to make another move.
Not going far this time so Browning leaves the trolling motor down.
Not going far this time so Browning leaves the trolling motor down.
Swapping things up with a crankbait for a bit...
Swapping things up with a crankbait for a bit…
then back to skipping the ChatterBait around the willows.
then back to skipping the ChatterBait around the willows.