Day 4 with Martens

Ride along with Aaron Martens as he tries to clench the AOY Title on the final day of the Plano Bassmaster Elite at Lake St. Clair.

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Ride along with Aaron Martens as he tries to clench the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Title on the final day of the Plano Bassmaster Elite at Lake St. Clair.
Ride along with Aaron Martens as he tries to clench the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Title on the final day of the Plano Bassmaster Elite at Lake St. Clair.
After oversleeping this morning, Aaron gets started on St Clair 30 minutes after the rest of the competition.
After oversleeping this morning, Aaron gets started on St Clair 30 minutes after the rest of the competition.
Throughout Aaron's illustrious career, he claims to have over slept only one other time, and that was 20 years ago.
Throughout Aaron’s illustrious career, he claims to have over slept only one other time, and that was 20 years ago.
The extra sleep seems to have paid off as Aaron hooks up early on Championship Sunday.
The extra sleep seems to have paid off as Aaron hooks up early on Championship Sunday.
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A nice start for Aaron Martens.
A nice start for Aaron Martens.
This keeper pushes 4-pounds.
This keeper pushes 4-pounds.
And it goes into the box.
And it goes into the box.
Locals do laps around Aaron, and the boat traffic will get much worse before the day is done.
Locals do laps around Aaron, and the boat traffic will get much worse before the day is done.
Aaron is known for his finesse prowess, but heaving a swimbait is his favorite technique.
Aaron is known for his finesse prowess, but heaving a swimbait is his favorite technique.
Though swimbait fishing is typically associated with big baits, Aaron's approach here is a little more subtle.
Though swimbait fishing is typically associated with big baits, Aaron’s approach here is a little more subtle.
The sun tries to peek through the clouds as Aaron picks out his next cast. Lake St. Clair appears to be a vast and barren inland ocean to this photographer.
The sun tries to peek through the clouds as Aaron picks out his next cast. Lake St. Clair appears to be a vast and barren inland ocean to this photographer.
But each of Aaron's casts are deliberate. Though we may not see the target, a half-million calculations are going on inside the head of Aaron Martens to determine how to trigger the next bite.
But each of Aaron’s casts are deliberate. Though we may not see the target, a half-million calculations are going on inside the head of Aaron Martens to determine how to trigger the next bite.
A hanging head in Aaron's boat doesn't signal defeat, but it's a sign that his keen eyes are focused on the electronics at his feet.
A hanging head in Aaron’s boat doesn’t signal defeat, but it’s a sign that his keen eyes are focused on the electronics at his feet.
Another bite.
Another bite.
This one feels big.
This one feels big.
Definitely a big one, but of the wrong variety.
Definitely a big one, but of the wrong variety.
Aaron makes a grab for the musky...
Aaron makes a grab for the musky…
unhooks it...
unhooks it…
and then poses for a pic.
and then poses for a pic.
A look underneath the lid of what's soon to be a 3-time Angler of the Year, at the most competitive level of bass fishing.
A look underneath the lid of what’s soon to be a 3-time Angler of the Year, at the most competitive level of bass fishing.
Another swing of the swimbait...
Another swing of the swimbait…
and Aaron decides it's time to put on a little sun protection.
and Aaron decides it’s time to put on a little sun protection.
Not a lot of sunlight getting in there.
Not a lot of sunlight getting in there.
The passing boats are becoming more and more regular in Aaron's starting spot, and the bites are fewer and fewer.
The passing boats are becoming more and more regular in Aaron’s starting spot, and the bites are fewer and fewer.
As this boat eases out...
As this boat eases out…
so does this one. Aaron is on the move.
so does this one. Aaron is on the move.
We hop inside the boat with Aaron for a bit.
We hop inside the boat with Aaron for a bit.
Take a look at all those who stand behind one of the greatest anglers of all time.
Take a look at all those who stand behind one of the greatest anglers of all time.
One of the tools of the trade that Aaron has perfected over the years.
One of the tools of the trade that Aaron has perfected over the years.
A few clouds linger, but the sky is lighting up.
A few clouds linger, but the sky is lighting up.
A look at the dropshot that Aaron has used to catch the bulk of his fish this week...
A look at the dropshot that Aaron has used to catch the bulk of his fish this week…
and one of the swimbaits that has contributed several big bites.
and one of the swimbaits that has contributed several big bites.
Spinning seems to always have a place on Aaron's deck, though he'll be the first to tell you he's not a fan of finesse fishing, he's just good at it.
Spinning seems to always have a place on Aaron’s deck, though he’ll be the first to tell you he’s not a fan of finesse fishing, he’s just good at it.
Aaron focuses on the next bite...
Aaron focuses on the next bite…
and then it comes.
and then it comes.
A solid fish surfaces in the distance.
A solid fish surfaces in the distance.
Come aboard.
Come aboard.
Another keeper...
Another keeper…
goes in the box.
goes in the box.
B.A.S.S. Emcee Dave Mercer arrives on scene to do a little BASScamming.
B.A.S.S. Emcee Dave Mercer arrives on scene to do a little BASScamming.
Time for a LIVE update for the Bassmaster LIVE Show.
Time for a LIVE update for the Bassmaster LIVE Show.
Aaron isn't having a great morning, but he's his usual chipper self.
Aaron isn’t having a great morning, but he’s his usual chipper self.
Time to vacate Aaron's boat...
Time to vacate Aaron’s boat…
he's on the move.
he’s on the move.
Rolling out for Canadian waters, where according to Aaron there are a lot more fish but they aren't as big.
Rolling out for Canadian waters, where according to Aaron there are a lot more fish but they aren’t as big.
It doesn't take long for Aaron to hook up when he reaches his Canadian honey holes.
It doesn’t take long for Aaron to hook up when he reaches his Canadian honey holes.
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Another few casts and another bite.
Another few casts and another bite.
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This one looks a little better.
This one looks a little better.
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A nice size bass.
A nice size bass.
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Aaron moves to the next clump of submerged vegetation.
Aaron moves to the next clump of submerged vegetation.
And another battle ensues.
And another battle ensues.
Aaron is fishing along a weed line in the middle of what is basically a desert with 10 feet of water over it.
Aaron is fishing along a weed line in the middle of what is basically a desert with 10 feet of water over it.
There's no structure or vegetation for these fish to get around for hundreds of yards, maybe miles.
There’s no structure or vegetation for these fish to get around for hundreds of yards, maybe miles.
So these weed clumps house several schools of smallies.
So these weed clumps house several schools of smallies.
Each time Aaron hooks up, he sees multiple fish chase the fish he's fighting to the boat.
Each time Aaron hooks up, he sees multiple fish chase the fish he’s fighting to the boat.
Most of the time the other fish are larger than the one he has hooked up.
Most of the time the other fish are larger than the one he has hooked up.
Time to do a little finagling.
Time to do a little finagling.
Aaron reaches for his line...
Aaron reaches for his line…
but the fish surges once again.
but the fish surges once again.
Time for another go at it.
Time for another go at it.
Got the line...
Got the line…
now time to get the fish.
now time to get the fish.
Aaron makes the scoop...
Aaron makes the scoop…
got her.
got her.
Another solid fish.
Another solid fish.
This one will be a pretty good cull.
This one will be a pretty good cull.
Out you go.
Out you go.
This place is on fire.
This place is on fire.
The bright sunshine has these fish pushed down in the vegetation.
The bright sunshine has these fish pushed down in the vegetation.
Aaron's marshal for the day, Randy, shoots GoPro of all the action.
Aaron’s marshal for the day, Randy, shoots GoPro of all the action.
This fish surges as they all seem to.
This fish surges as they all seem to.
Time to drag her in.
Time to drag her in.
Aaron takes pride in wearing a fish down until it gives up and comes to the boat easy for the grab.
Aaron takes pride in wearing a fish down until it gives up and comes to the boat easy for the grab.
Aaron's technique works to perfection yet again.
Aaron’s technique works to perfection yet again.
Got her.
Got her.
Another good one...
Another good one…
and another good cull.
and another good cull.
Time to send this one back to the drink.
Time to send this one back to the drink.
Aaron loves the feel when one pecks at his drop shot and starts swimming with it, as he explains here...
Aaron loves the feel when one pecks at his drop shot and starts swimming with it, as he explains here…
and then shows us here.
and then shows us here.
The battle rages once again.
The battle rages once again.
Aaron keeps his rod bent regular over here in Canada.
Aaron keeps his rod bent regular over here in Canada.
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Aaron eases another fish towards the boat.
Aaron eases another fish towards the boat.
The talons are out...
The talons are out…
another one is in the clutches of Aaron Martens.
another one is in the clutches of Aaron Martens.
The fish are pretty good quality over here after all.
The fish are pretty good quality over here after all.
Martens moves to the next clump...
Martens moves to the next clump…
and quickly hooks up.
and quickly hooks up.
The battle is on.
The battle is on.
This one's a jumper.
This one’s a jumper.
Aaron sees two more big ones with this one.
Aaron sees two more big ones with this one.
As the school nears the boat, Aaron gets a better look at the fish.
As the school nears the boat, Aaron gets a better look at the fish.
This one isn't ready to come to the boat yet...
This one isn’t ready to come to the boat yet…
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While this fish wears itself down, Aaron's eyes follows the other smallmouth who have taken a new direction.
While this fish wears itself down, Aaron’s eyes follows the other smallmouth who have taken a new direction.
This one doesn't seem to like losing Aaron's attention.
This one doesn’t seem to like losing Aaron’s attention.
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Time to wind her down.
Time to wind her down.
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Gotcha.
Gotcha.
Another chunk, nothing in the box under 3-1/2 for Aaron now.
Another chunk, nothing in the box under 3-1/2 for Aaron now.
Fish start breaking and Aaron fires his swimbait out.
Fish start breaking and Aaron fires his swimbait out.
Got it.
Got it.
A solid fish leaps from the water.
A solid fish leaps from the water.
Aaron makes short work of this one, using his 16-pound test line to his advantage.
Aaron makes short work of this one, using his 16-pound test line to his advantage.
That's the one that should do it. Aaron Martens may have just clenched the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year title for the 3rd time.
That’s the one that should do it. Aaron Martens may have just clenched the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year title for the 3rd time.
We'll have to head to weigh-in to find out.
We’ll have to head to weigh-in to find out.