Kreiger's Day 2 grind

During the second day of competition, Koby Kreiger faced off against Jacob Powroznik. Kreiger’s only shot at a Classic berth is to win this event, and that means he’d have to beat his best friend and travel partner: Powroznik.

Kreiger begin’s his afternoon in swift-moving water near the southern boundary of the Niagara River. In the background you’ll notice that Powroznik chose to lay his rods down and provide Kreiger with a clean shot at advancing to the semi-final round. Powroznik came into this round with about a pound lead on Kreiger.

Kreiger found a few small fish that wouldn’t measure, but he added the results to his pattern.

Just downstream a hundred yards Kreiger hooks up again, but it’s another small fish.

Meanwhile, steel wheels on steel rails paint an interesting picture with Buffalo, N.Y., in the background.

Kreiger isn’t convinced the fish he needs to advance are in this spot, so he stows his Minn Kota and heads to the next spot.

Kevin VanDam drives by on the way to his next location.

Kreiger makes a few casts, but soon decides to head down river.

With Powroznik still in tow, Kreiger chooses to work a heavy drop shot in the slack water behind each bridge piling.

He fished a couple of the enormous bridge supports before making a sizable run towards Niagara Falls.

Kreiger relocates to the northern most boundary for this tournament, which is just a couple miles above Niagara Falls. He’s sticking to the bridge-support pattern.

The heavy mist rises above the scenic falls. There is an impressive beauty above the falls as well.

Kreiger continues grinding away with almost zero results. The clock continues to tick as his first keeper is yet to bite.

Kreiger’s friend continues to watch eagerly awaiting a single fish that will push Kreiger into the semi-final round.

Powroznik offers advice on how to catch bass that are staged at the base to the massive bridge supports. Kreiger listens and applies the advice.

Pitch after pitch, cast after cast Kreiger is beginning to get frustrated as a single fish seems too difficult to catch.

He finally gets a fish to eat, and before he can get it to the surface and into the boat, it throws the hooks.

With half an hour to go, Kreiger simply can’t believe his luck. That one hurt.

However, just a few short casts later, he hooks up.

Trying not to rush it and blow it, Kreiger works as quickly as he can to get this fish into the boat. He doesn’t need much, but he needs this fish in a big way.

The flip …

Will this one be enough for Kreiger to advance?

He seems to think so as he looks down river towards Powroznik’s position.

Will it be enough?

It is, and Kreiger will fish the semi-final round!

He is elated and thankful at the same time!

He said that he’s never had to work so hard for a single fish in his life.

Kreiger acknowledges Powroznik’s coaching, and his decision to put his rods down and not fish. An act of true friendship.

The smile says it all.

Happy for his friend, Powroznik warns him in jest to not catch too many more fish or he’ll have to fish again. All laughed.

With mere minutes remaining, Powroznik offers some additional advice, as Kreiger is looking at a head-to-head with bass fishing superstar KVD during the semi-final round.

The advice continues with laughs and smiles. Powroznik then heads for the boat launch.

Kreiger quickly bounces between bridge pilings looking for any more information he can garner before a big round three.

Kreiger’s time ends with him less than a pound ahead of Jacob Powroznik, but it’s enough. The weights are reset for the semi-final round putting each competitor on a level playing field. A lot can happen in the two days to come, but Kreiger has his shot thanks to his “brother-in-arms” Jacob Powroznik.