2009 Central Open: Atchafalaya Basin Day Three On The Water

In this photo gallery you will see images of the 2009 Central open at the Atchafalaya basin in Louisiana on day three

Pro Mark Smith has led the final stop of the Bassmaster Central Opens since the Day One weigh-in.
Pro Mark Smith has led the final stop of the Bassmaster Central Opens since the Day One weigh-in.
Smith's pattern has been the same all three days, flipping to wood in shallow water.
Smith’s pattern has been the same all three days, flipping to wood in shallow water.
The Atchafalaya Basin is measured in square miles, not acres. Smith has been fishing an area the size of a small lake.
The Atchafalaya Basin is measured in square miles, not acres. Smith has been fishing an area the size of a small lake.
Smith's co-angler for the day, Randy Pitre, had missed several bites early on Day Three but kept positive.
Smith’s co-angler for the day, Randy Pitre, had missed several bites early on Day Three but kept positive.
Smith widened his lead on the rest of the field on Day Two and is nearly three pounds ahead of his nearest competitor going into the final day.
Smith widened his lead on the rest of the field on Day Two and is nearly three pounds ahead of his nearest competitor going into the final day.
Smith is out of the points race, but this win would validate the decisions he made all week.
Smith is out of the points race, but this win would validate the decisions he made all week.
Smith summed up his poor performance at the other two Central Opens by saying,
Smith summed up his poor performance at the other two Central Opens by saying, “I just made a lot of wrong decisions this year. This sport is about decisions.”
A very key bite for Smith came at around 9:30 am. He only had one fish in the livewell at this point in the day.
A very key bite for Smith came at around 9:30 am. He only had one fish in the livewell at this point in the day.
As Smith fought with the bass at the side of the boat, Pitre went for the net and secured the catch. Smith pumped his fist and let out a shout of relief.
As Smith fought with the bass at the side of the boat, Pitre went for the net and secured the catch. Smith pumped his fist and let out a shout of relief.
Pro Mark Smith gives the Bassmaster camera a better look at the bass.
Pro Mark Smith gives the Bassmaster camera a better look at the bass.
Smith takes a closer look at the bass, adding up the pounds. He was fishing on the south end of Lake Verret.
Smith takes a closer look at the bass, adding up the pounds. He was fishing on the south end of Lake Verret.
Smith's expressions and movements were definitely more relaxed after boating a very nice keeper as his second bass, pulling him closer to his goal of five.
Smith’s expressions and movements were definitely more relaxed after boating a very nice keeper as his second bass, pulling him closer to his goal of five.
Randy Pitre finally connects on a keeper bass after losing one and missing three other bites.
Randy Pitre finally connects on a keeper bass after losing one and missing three other bites.
The cypress trees in Verret continue to cough up bass for Smith as the morning went along.
The cypress trees in Verret continue to cough up bass for Smith as the morning went along.
Smith placed a cull marker on the bass, hoping to trade up later in the day. His grin had grown to a full-blown smile.
Smith placed a cull marker on the bass, hoping to trade up later in the day. His grin had grown to a full-blown smile.
Pro Mark Smith said he didn't think he had ever been this nervous before, as he contemplated what this day meant to him.
Pro Mark Smith said he didn’t think he had ever been this nervous before, as he contemplated what this day meant to him.