All rods on deck

Randall Tharp is keeping all options open today. He’s got 10 rods on his boat deck, according to photographer Gettys Brannon, including a spinning rod, which is outside Tharp’s comfort...

Morning with Martens

We are on Aaron Martens this morning. And like yesterday he’s started in the same bend of an oxbow where a considerable amount of his bites have come this week...

A made-for-TV final

If a director could script the perfect scenario for the final day of a Bassmaster Elite Series tournament, this would be it: The top four anglers separated by 10 iounces,...

DeFoe in the danger zone

Ott DeFoe is nearing an uncomfortably familiar place. The BASSTrakk standings have the Tennessee pro in 8th place. While that normally is great news it’s a bit unnerving if you...

Martens patience pays off

After being in a boat following Aaron Martens this morning, when he struggled to put a fifth keeper in the boat for three hours, I thought he might be ready...

Martens with five, finally

Aaron Martens went about three hours between his fourth and fifth keepers, but when No. 5 came it was a solid 2 3/4-pounder. Then he culled with another one shortly...

Martens struggling

Aaron Martens has now moved four times in the search for his fifth fish. He moved back under the I-90 bridge toward the takeoff site just now. Martens has caught...

AOY race tightening up

Based on the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year tabulated from the Day 2 standings, the AOY race will tighten significantly after this tournament. However, those points aren’t officially tallied...

Martens, Zaldain swap spots

Aaron Martens picked up his trolling motor at 8:15 and left “the juice” in one Black River area then ran the short distance to another spot. Chris Zaldain saw Martens...

DeFoe’s big move

Yesterday at this time Ott DeFoe was grinding it out just trying to catch a limit. He did that and more, and he’s doing it again today. Yesterday, DeFoe vaulted...