OTW with Aaron Martens

On the water with Aaron Martens for Day 2 of the Huk Performance Fishing Bassmaster Elite at Chesapeake Bay.

Posted on
Aaron Martens started Day Two in the lead of the Huk Performance Gear Bassmaster Elite Series on Chesapeake Bay.
Aaron Martens started Day Two in the lead of the Huk Performance Gear Bassmaster Elite Series on Chesapeake Bay.
After a short start near the take off, Martens made a long run south to escape the crowds.
After a short start near the take off, Martens made a long run south to escape the crowds.
He quickly began working the areas in more of a power fishing form than his trademark finesse fishing.
He quickly began working the areas in more of a power fishing form than his trademark finesse fishing.
Like many of the anglers he said he wasn't getting a lot of bites.
Like many of the anglers he said he wasn’t getting a lot of bites.
But is he could cover enough water, he could get the right bites.
But is he could cover enough water, he could get the right bites.
A lot of his area was idle zones and he stretched and rested while moving from spot to spot.
A lot of his area was idle zones and he stretched and rested while moving from spot to spot.
On one of those spots he caught his first keeper, a 1-pound fish that nudged by the 12-inch keeper mark.
On one of those spots he caught his first keeper, a 1-pound fish that nudged by the 12-inch keeper mark.
But just minutes later, he would hook up again.
But just minutes later, he would hook up again.
It was obvious this fish would be larger.
It was obvious this fish would be larger.
It took him from the back of the boat and running toward the front.
It took him from the back of the boat and running toward the front.
Where it showed itself as a hefty fish
Where it showed itself as a hefty fish
As it tried to tail walk
As it tried to tail walk
and shake its head
and shake its head
to throw the lure.
to throw the lure.
Martens would fight the fish to the back of the boat again.
Martens would fight the fish to the back of the boat again.
Keeping the fish high enough to stay out of the prop and away from the barnacles that could cut the line.
Keeping the fish high enough to stay out of the prop and away from the barnacles that could cut the line.
The battle returned to the front of the boat.
The battle returned to the front of the boat.
And the fish repeatedly tried to shake the hook.
And the fish repeatedly tried to shake the hook.
Producing a splash of water,
Producing a splash of water,
Before Martens could once again get it to the front of the boat.
Before Martens could once again get it to the front of the boat.
And fight it to the side.
And fight it to the side.
The 4-pound fish would give him a big boost.
The 4-pound fish would give him a big boost.
And put a big smile on his face.
And put a big smile on his face.
He would take another look before depositing it in the livewell.
He would take another look before depositing it in the livewell.
He would catch a small one or two,
He would catch a small one or two,
before hooking up with keeper number three.
before hooking up with keeper number three.
Martens wouldn't spend much time on this one.
Martens wouldn’t spend much time on this one.
Even though it would jump and try to throw the hook,
Even though it would jump and try to throw the hook,
Martens would quickly get the fish in the boat.
Martens would quickly get the fish in the boat.
And he would have three keepers to start the day.
And he would have three keepers to start the day.
All of these came within the first two hours of fishing, with a 45-minute trip worked into the mix.
All of these came within the first two hours of fishing, with a 45-minute trip worked into the mix.
After a few adjustments with his lures,
After a few adjustments with his lures,
And another with his boat position,
And another with his boat position,
Martens would get to work again.
Martens would get to work again.
He would concentrate on hard cover, like pilings in his area.
He would concentrate on hard cover, like pilings in his area.
At least once he would get hung up.
At least once he would get hung up.
Requiring him to lay down and work to get his bait unhung.
Requiring him to lay down and work to get his bait unhung.
And a minute later would jerk in his fourth keeper.
And a minute later would jerk in his fourth keeper.
This one came in an area he said he never fished before.
This one came in an area he said he never fished before.
And like all of them it produced a big smile on his face.
And like all of them it produced a big smile on his face.
Martens would keep looking for the next hour.
Martens would keep looking for the next hour.
Hitting a variety of places along the way.
Hitting a variety of places along the way.
Some of them in tight places.
Some of them in tight places.
And some of them close to boat owners taking it easy in a hammock.
And some of them close to boat owners taking it easy in a hammock.
His patience and diligence would pay off with his limit fish.
His patience and diligence would pay off with his limit fish.
Once again, he wasted little time getting the fish in the boat.
Once again, he wasted little time getting the fish in the boat.
His limit would weigh more than 12 pounds at this point.
His limit would weigh more than 12 pounds at this point.
He fished by some grandparents with their grandchildren fishing, all of them wearing the appropriate Huk fishing gear.
He fished by some grandparents with their grandchildren fishing, all of them wearing the appropriate Huk fishing gear.
And an hour later, he would hook up with his sixth keeper of the day.
And an hour later, he would hook up with his sixth keeper of the day.
This fish obviously would help his effort.
This fish obviously would help his effort.
The hefty bass would produce a lot of splashing,
The hefty bass would produce a lot of splashing,
Before eventually coming aboard.
Before eventually coming aboard.
Martens would cull his first keeper of the day.
Martens would cull his first keeper of the day.
And it would round out a limit that would weigh 15 pounds.
And it would round out a limit that would weigh 15 pounds.
Martens would realign his glasses,
Martens would realign his glasses,
As an Air Force Wart Hog, would buzz close by.
As an Air Force Wart Hog, would buzz close by.
With the day getting brighter he would add sun protection for his neck and ears,
With the day getting brighter he would add sun protection for his neck and ears,
And get back to work.
And get back to work.
Occasionally, he would stop and make adjustments, but he would not catch another keeper.
Occasionally, he would stop and make adjustments, but he would not catch another keeper.
As the Bassmaster.com left him, Carl Jocumsen would run into the area. The Australian angler would weigh in 17 pounds, 5 ounces and move into third place behind Martens and Chad Pipkens.
As the Bassmaster.com left him, Carl Jocumsen would run into the area. The Australian angler would weigh in 17 pounds, 5 ounces and move into third place behind Martens and Chad Pipkens.