Then and Now – Aaron Martens

Aaron Martens has competed at 11 diffrent Bassmaster Classics. This album features images of Aaron throughout the years.

Martens finished second behind Jay Yelas in the 2002 Bassmaster Classic on Lay Lake, Ala.
Martens finished second behind Jay Yelas in the 2002 Bassmaster Classic on Lay Lake, Ala.
Martens' first runner-up finish was in 2002, when he wound up 6 pounds behind the winner.
Martens’ first runner-up finish was in 2002, when he wound up 6 pounds behind the winner.
Tommy Sanders, co-host of <i>The Bassmasters </i>TV show, shared the set with Aaron Martens in 2002.
Tommy Sanders, co-host of The Bassmasters TV show, shared the set with Aaron Martens in 2002.
After missing the 2003 championship, Martens finished second yet again in 2004, just behind Takahiro Omori.
After missing the 2003 championship, Martens finished second yet again in 2004, just behind Takahiro Omori.
An 11th-hour flurry for Takahiro Omori relegated Martens to second place on Lake Wylie, N.C.
An 11th-hour flurry for Takahiro Omori relegated Martens to second place on Lake Wylie, N.C.
For his third consecutive Classic, Martens would finish second in 2005.
For his third consecutive Classic, Martens would finish second in 2005.
Bass were small in the Three Rivers Fishery in 2005, forcing Martens' and other anglers to downsize their tackle.
Bass were small in the Three Rivers Fishery in 2005, forcing Martens’ and other anglers to downsize their tackle.
Many of the bass in Martens' second-place creel in Pittsburgh came from around bridge pilings.
Many of the bass in Martens’ second-place creel in Pittsburgh came from around bridge pilings.
Martens rides into the arena during the 2005 Classic, not knowing whether his catch was heavy enough to win.
Martens rides into the arena during the 2005 Classic, not knowing whether his catch was heavy enough to win.
Martens is about to have to swallow a bitter pill, as VanDam would outscore him to win the 2005 Classic by just 6 ounces.
Martens is about to have to swallow a bitter pill, as VanDam would outscore him to win the 2005 Classic by just 6 ounces.
Unlike the 2011 Classic, when VanDam entered the final day with a sizable lead, it was anybody's Classic at Pittsburgh, including Martens'.
Unlike the 2011 Classic, when VanDam entered the final day with a sizable lead, it was anybody’s Classic at Pittsburgh, including Martens’.
The 2005 Classic was one of the most exciting in history, even though the winning catch was the lowest on record.
The 2005 Classic was one of the most exciting in history, even though the winning catch was the lowest on record.
Aaron Martens finished 25th on Lay Lake, Ala., in 2007.
Aaron Martens finished 25th on Lay Lake, Ala., in 2007.
Martens readies his tackle for another day on Lay Lake.
Martens readies his tackle for another day on Lay Lake.
Fishing docks on Lay Lake in the '07 Classic enabled Martens to make the cut.
Fishing docks on Lay Lake in the ’07 Classic enabled Martens to make the cut.
Martens finished 9th on Lake Hartwell out of Greenville, S.C., in 2008.
Martens finished 9th on Lake Hartwell out of Greenville, S.C., in 2008.
2009 marked Martens' second consecutive 9th-place finish in the Classic. In both events he caught just under 50 pounds.
2009 marked Martens’ second consecutive 9th-place finish in the Classic. In both events he caught just under 50 pounds.
Going into the final day on the Red River, Martens simply had too much ground to catch up.
Going into the final day on the Red River, Martens simply had too much ground to catch up.
With 49.2 pounds after three days on the Red River, Martens trailed the champion, Skeet Reese, by less than 6 pounds.
With 49.2 pounds after three days on the Red River, Martens trailed the champion, Skeet Reese, by less than 6 pounds.
Martens ponders questions in a press conference after losing to KVD in 2011. It marked his fourth runner-up Classic finish.
Martens ponders questions in a press conference after losing to KVD in 2011. It marked his fourth runner-up Classic finish.