Practice Day Two with Aaron Martens

Catch up with Aaron Martens during Day Two of practice on the Alabama River.

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Aaron Martens fuels up before Day Two of practice for  the Evan Williams Bourbon All-Star Championship.
Aaron Martens fuels up before Day Two of practice for  the Evan Williams Bourbon All-Star Championship.
<p> Martens selects his gear for his Alabama River practice.</p>
Martens selects his gear for his Alabama River practice.
Martens just finished a brutal 1,900-mile drive from Las Vegas after winning his third U.S. Open title.
Martens just finished a brutal 1,900-mile drive from Las Vegas after winning his third U.S. Open title.
Martens graphs his location.
Martens graphs his location.
Martens keeps hydrated as he starts his practice.
Martens keeps hydrated as he starts his practice.
Martens carefully ties his rig as he gets ready for his first cast of the day.
Martens carefully ties his rig as he gets ready for his first cast of the day.
<p> Martens' first pitch was made very close to the site of the official take-off.</p>
Martens’ first pitch was made very close to the site of the official take-off.
His first fish of the day was caught close to the Harriott II Riverboat docked near Montgomery's Riverwalk Amphitheater.
His first fish of the day was caught close to the Harriott II Riverboat docked near Montgomery’s Riverwalk Amphitheater.
<p> Montgomery's Riverwalk Amphitheater can be seen in the background as Martens continues to target the area.</p>
Montgomery’s Riverwalk Amphitheater can be seen in the background as Martens continues to target the area.
Martens returns briefly to the riverboat for a few more casts.
Martens returns briefly to the riverboat for a few more casts.
After that, he expanded his practice area moving down the river.
After that, he expanded his practice area moving down the river.
Martens makes a cast toward structure he's been eyeing on his graph.
Martens makes a cast toward structure he’s been eyeing on his graph.
He continues to make casts to main lake ledges.
He continues to make casts to main lake ledges.
Martens moves farther downriver.
Martens moves farther downriver.
Martens sets the hook.
Martens sets the hook.
Martens gets close with this Alabama River bass.
Martens gets close with this Alabama River bass.
<p> Aaron poses for a portrait with his latest catch.</p>
Aaron poses for a portrait with his latest catch.
Aaron cruises the river hitting top speeds in his Phoenix boat with Mercury engine.
Aaron cruises the river hitting top speeds in his Phoenix boat with Mercury engine.
<p> Martens stays true to his roots employing West coast style tactics in his fishing as he "feels" the bite by touching the line.</p>
Martens stays true to his roots employing West coast style tactics in his fishing as he “feels” the bite by touching the line.
Aaron encountered Mike Iaconelli at one of his practice spots.
Aaron encountered Mike Iaconelli at one of his practice spots.
Of course, Martens tried some finesse fishing, too.
Of course, Martens tried some finesse fishing, too.
Martens tackle is very well organized.
Martens tackle is very well organized.
Aaron takes a swig of juice and keeps practicing.
Aaron takes a swig of juice and keeps practicing.
<p> A close-up of Martens' topwater lures -- Giant Dog-X by Megabass.</p>
A close-up of Martens’ topwater lures — Giant Dog-X by Megabass.
<p> The Zipper worm by Roboworm is available in Martens' signature color "Aaron's Magic."</p>
The Zipper worm by Roboworm is available in Martens’ signature color “Aaron’s Magic.”
Martens' signature Shaky Fish lure is ready on deck.
Martens’ signature Shaky Fish lure is ready on deck.
<p> Martens inspects a shad found on the main lake.</p>
Martens inspects a shad found on the main lake.
<p> Martens hooks into one off of main lake structure.</p>
Martens hooks into one off of main lake structure.
He believes there are more where that one came from.
He believes there are more where that one came from.
He was right!
He was right!
Martens will face Edwin Evers on Friday in the bracket-style competition on the Alabama River.
Martens will face Edwin Evers on Friday in the bracket-style competition on the Alabama River.
<p> If he can beat Evers, he'll stay in the competition for Day Two when he'll face Casey Ashley or Skeet Reese.</p>
If he can beat Evers, he’ll stay in the competition for Day Two when he’ll face Casey Ashley or Skeet Reese.
<p> On the heels of a win at the U.S. Open, Martens is ready for the competition.</p>
On the heels of a win at the U.S. Open, Martens is ready for the competition.