Staying close to home on the final day

Several anglers elect to stay close to the ramp despite the better weather on the final day of the Toyota Angler of the Year Championship. Turns out to be a productive move for several anglers.

Several anglers elect to stay close to the ramp despite the better weather on the final day of the Toyota Angler of the Year Championship. Turns out to be a productive move for several anglers.
Several anglers elect to stay close to the ramp despite the better weather on the final day of the Toyota Angler of the Year Championship. Turns out to be a productive move for several anglers.
James Elam has fished this area all week ...
James Elam has fished this area all week …
... and we're about to see why.
… and we’re about to see why.
Elam pulls a nice smallmouth from the water.
Elam pulls a nice smallmouth from the water.
It was his fourth from the morning in the 3-to-4-pound range.
It was his fourth from the morning in the 3-to-4-pound range.
These are just adding dollars to Elam's pocket at this point.
These are just adding dollars to Elam’s pocket at this point.
He already qualified for the Classic via his Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Open win on Fort Gibson last week.
He already qualified for the Classic via his Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Open win on Fort Gibson last week.
Another cast goes out ...
Another cast goes out …
... and Elam smiles knowing there's a little more money to be made.
… and Elam smiles knowing there’s a little more money to be made.
We head over to Josh Bertrand for a bit.
We head over to Josh Bertrand for a bit.
Bertrand has focused on a buoy pattern this week.
Bertrand has focused on a buoy pattern this week.
Working the markers along the shipping channel produced a big bag for Bertrand on Day 1.
Working the markers along the shipping channel produced a big bag for Bertrand on Day 1.
Things are a little slower today.
Things are a little slower today.
Bertrand is scoreless so far but keeping a close eye on his graph.
Bertrand is scoreless so far but keeping a close eye on his graph.
We ease back in toward the ramp where we find several anglers fishing current breaks. Scott Rook and Brett Hite have spent a good bit of time near each other this week.
We ease back in toward the ramp where we find several anglers fishing current breaks. Scott Rook and Brett Hite have spent a good bit of time near each other this week.
John Crews hooks up.
John Crews hooks up.
This looks like it could be a good one.
This looks like it could be a good one.
With a few solid fish in the boat already, each bite is putting a little more money in the boat.
With a few solid fish in the boat already, each bite is putting a little more money in the boat.
Crews goes for the grab.
Crews goes for the grab.
Another stud smallmouth is pulled in.
Another stud smallmouth is pulled in.
“Are you believing this?”
That's a 4-pounder.
That’s a 4-pounder.
Chris Lane and Randy Howell fish nearby.
Chris Lane and Randy Howell fish nearby.
John Crews has several nearby anglers scratching their heads.
John Crews has several nearby anglers scratching their heads.
Crews continues on with quite the crowd in the background. Randy Howell, Justin Lucas, Morizo Shimizu, Bobby Lane and Chris Lane.
Crews continues on with quite the crowd in the background. Randy Howell, Justin Lucas, Morizo Shimizu, Bobby Lane and Chris Lane.
Brett Hite and Scott Rook still occupy the eddy behind us.
Brett Hite and Scott Rook still occupy the eddy behind us.
A few other anglers take advantage of this beautiful day. Scott Rook knows he needs about 14 pounds to qualify for the Bassmaster Classic.
A few other anglers take advantage of this beautiful day. Scott Rook knows he needs about 14 pounds to qualify for the Bassmaster Classic.
Sometimes you don't feel like the biggest fish in the pond out here.
Sometimes you don’t feel like the biggest fish in the pond out here.
Crews still working ...
Crews still working …
... and now Clifford Pirch has joined the scene.
… and now Clifford Pirch has joined the scene.
Brett Hite is all smiles knowing his limit in the livewell has him sitting securely in the Bassmaster Classic cut.
Brett Hite is all smiles knowing his limit in the livewell has him sitting securely in the Bassmaster Classic cut.
Crews hooks up again.
Crews hooks up again.
This looks to be another nice one.
This looks to be another nice one.
Crews goes for the grab ...
Crews goes for the grab …
... and cradles another nice bass into the boat.
… and cradles another nice bass into the boat.
Photos from all angles of this one.
Photos from all angles of this one.
Chris and Bobby Lane talk things over.
Chris and Bobby Lane talk things over.
Justin Lucas works hard to maintain his second-place spot in the AOY standings. Since Aaron Martens made it mathematically impossible to beat him here this week, second is as good as it's going to get, and it pays quite a bit more than third.
Justin Lucas works hard to maintain his second-place spot in the AOY standings. Since Aaron Martens made it mathematically impossible to beat him here this week, second is as good as it’s going to get, and it pays quite a bit more than third.
Pirch is right at home, being one of the best on the Elites at reading his electronics and finesse fishing.
Pirch is right at home, being one of the best on the Elites at reading his electronics and finesse fishing.
Crews needs a water break.
Crews needs a water break.
Randy Howell has fished near this bridge off and on since Day 1. Securing his Classic qualification near a bridge seems fitting since his Bassmaster Classic win came on a similar piece of structure.
Randy Howell has fished near this bridge off and on since Day 1. Securing his Classic qualification near a bridge seems fitting since his Bassmaster Classic win came on a similar piece of structure.
Justin Lucas grinds on.
Justin Lucas grinds on.
Pirch has a similar stance.
Pirch has a similar stance.
Chris Lane talks about how he's having to watch Crews load the boat while jockeying with him for thousands of dollars in AOY money.
Chris Lane talks about how he’s having to watch Crews load the boat while jockeying with him for thousands of dollars in AOY money.
For Bobby Lane, the Classic is made.
For Bobby Lane, the Classic is made.
It's more of a relaxing day on the lake.
It’s more of a relaxing day on the lake.
This area keeps getting more and more crowded.
This area keeps getting more and more crowded.
Morizo Shimizu makes his way back through the rotation.
Morizo Shimizu makes his way back through the rotation.
Since Day 1, most of these anglers have played musical chairs with the handful of current breaks within sight of the ramp.
Since Day 1, most of these anglers have played musical chairs with the handful of current breaks within sight of the ramp.