2009 Central Opens: Sam Rayburn Day Three on the water

In this photo gallery you will see images from the 2009 Central Open at Sam Rayburn in Texas. It is images of the third day on the water.

Posted on
Day Three of the Bassmaster Central Open started with a beautiful sunrise and plenty of recreational anglers competing for water on this Labor Day weekend.
Day Three of the Bassmaster Central Open started with a beautiful sunrise and plenty of recreational anglers competing for water on this Labor Day weekend.
Bassmaster Elite Series pro Bradley Hallman works a grass flat on a popular area of the lake with 16 boats in close proximity.
Bassmaster Elite Series pro Bradley Hallman works a grass flat on a popular area of the lake with 16 boats in close proximity.
Elite pro Bradley Hallman swings a short bass into his boat that fell for a topwater bait.
Elite pro Bradley Hallman swings a short bass into his boat that fell for a topwater bait.
Hallaman's co-angler Joe Brozak is the next to haul in a fish that would be shy of the 14-inch minimum-length limit.
Hallaman’s co-angler Joe Brozak is the next to haul in a fish that would be shy of the 14-inch minimum-length limit.
Hallman and Brozak
Hallman and Brozak “double up” early on Day Three of the Central Open.
After Hallman measures his fish, Brozak holds his up as if to compare the two fish.
After Hallman measures his fish, Brozak holds his up as if to compare the two fish.
Co-angler Joe Brozak boats another bass as Elite Series pro Bradley Hallman works the grass before him.
Co-angler Joe Brozak boats another bass as Elite Series pro Bradley Hallman works the grass before him.
Tournament-leader Stephen Johnston continued to pull fish from an underwater brush pile that had produced well on the first two days.
Tournament-leader Stephen Johnston continued to pull fish from an underwater brush pile that had produced well on the first two days.
Johnston fights a bass to the boat as his co-angler Bobby Lanham goes for the net.
Johnston fights a bass to the boat as his co-angler Bobby Lanham goes for the net.
Johnston didn't need a net to boat this bass which was under the length limit.
Johnston didn’t need a net to boat this bass which was under the length limit.
Keeping the boat positioned just down wind of the brush pile was key for Johnston.
Keeping the boat positioned just down wind of the brush pile was key for Johnston.
Co-angler Bobby Lanham reaped the rewards of the cover as well, and he had his limit early.
Co-angler Bobby Lanham reaped the rewards of the cover as well, and he had his limit early.
Pro Stephen Johnston had two key structures located that kept him on top of the leaderboard.
Pro Stephen Johnston had two key structures located that kept him on top of the leaderboard.
Johnston calls for the net as fights a larger bass to the boat.
Johnston calls for the net as fights a larger bass to the boat.
Stephen Johnston celebrates with a fist pump and a shout after the bass is secure in the net.
Stephen Johnston celebrates with a fist pump and a shout after the bass is secure in the net.
Johnston is all smiles as he knows this fish will replace a much smaller bass in his livewell.
Johnston is all smiles as he knows this fish will replace a much smaller bass in his livewell.
Johnston was not hard to find with over a dozen boats around him watching his day unfold.
Johnston was not hard to find with over a dozen boats around him watching his day unfold.
Pro Stephen Johnston sets the hook on another nice bass as his co-angler, Bobby Lanham, readies the net.
Pro Stephen Johnston sets the hook on another nice bass as his co-angler, Bobby Lanham, readies the net.
This bass would allow Johnston to cull up again, gaining valuable ounces on a field he was already dominating.
This bass would allow Johnston to cull up again, gaining valuable ounces on a field he was already dominating.
Pro Stephen Johnston repays the favor for Babby Lanham as he nets a nice bass, allowing Lanham to
Pro Stephen Johnston repays the favor for Babby Lanham as he nets a nice bass, allowing Lanham to “cull up.”
Co-angler Bobby Lanham shows off a bass that would allow him to cull out his smallest fish.
Co-angler Bobby Lanham shows off a bass that would allow him to cull out his smallest fish.
Pro Stephen Johnston fights another bass to the boat. As the sun got higher Johnston's key was to use an erratic retrieve to get the reaction bite.
Pro Stephen Johnston fights another bass to the boat. As the sun got higher Johnston’s key was to use an erratic retrieve to get the reaction bite.
Once again pro Stephen Johnston is able to cull up, slowly building his weight.
Once again pro Stephen Johnston is able to cull up, slowly building his weight.
Johnston is now starting cull out larger bass from his limit. After this release he made a move back to another key piece of structure where he started Day Three.
Johnston is now starting cull out larger bass from his limit. After this release he made a move back to another key piece of structure where he started Day Three.
Todd Faircloth looks for a good finish in his backyard on Sam Rayburn Resevoir Saturday.
Todd Faircloth looks for a good finish in his backyard on Sam Rayburn Resevoir Saturday.
Elite Series pro Todd Faircloth came into the day in third place, slowly chipping away at the sizable lead Johnston placed on the field on Day Two.
Elite Series pro Todd Faircloth came into the day in third place, slowly chipping away at the sizable lead Johnston placed on the field on Day Two.
Elite pro Todd Faircloth was targeting bass that were buried in thick vegetation out on large flats on the lake.
Elite pro Todd Faircloth was targeting bass that were buried in thick vegetation out on large flats on the lake.
Bassmaster Elite Series pro Todd Faircloth and his co-angler Claude Rabb continued to pick apart the grass on an open flat for most of the morning.
Bassmaster Elite Series pro Todd Faircloth and his co-angler Claude Rabb continued to pick apart the grass on an open flat for most of the morning.