2011 Dixie Duel: Day Three On the Water

Check out these on-the-water photos from Day Three of the 2011 Dixie Duel on Wheeler Lake.

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Camera man Brian Mason raises his camera high to get a different perspective of Greg Hackney fishing.
Camera man Brian Mason raises his camera high to get a different perspective of Greg Hackney fishing.
Hackney hooks up near on a cut near the main river channel.
Hackney hooks up near on a cut near the main river channel.
Hackney boats his second keeper of the day.
Hackney boats his second keeper of the day.
Hackney only had one rod out of the locker to start the day.
Hackney only had one rod out of the locker to start the day.
Hackney jerks a short fish out of a line of willow weeds.
Hackney jerks a short fish out of a line of willow weeds.
Hackney decided it was time to pull out the ‘whoopin-stick’ and do some flipping.
Hackney decided it was time to pull out the ‘whoopin-stick’ and do some flipping.
Brian Mason deploys a pole-mounted camera to shoot Hackney from above.
Brian Mason deploys a pole-mounted camera to shoot Hackney from above.
Several spectator boats followed Hackey, but stayed away from the shallow backwater area he was fishing.
Several spectator boats followed Hackey, but stayed away from the shallow backwater area he was fishing.
Kevin VanDam had his typical armada of spectator boats following him on Day Three.
Kevin VanDam had his typical armada of spectator boats following him on Day Three.
Unlike Hackney with only one rod on the deck of the boat, VanDam had at least a dozen rod and reels at the ready.
Unlike Hackney with only one rod on the deck of the boat, VanDam had at least a dozen rod and reels at the ready.
VanDam reaches for another crankbait.
VanDam reaches for another crankbait.
VanDam said he knows its not the best dental practice, but likes to tune his crankbaits using his teeth.
VanDam said he knows its not the best dental practice, but likes to tune his crankbaits using his teeth.
VanDam braces himself from the wave action while making a cast.
VanDam braces himself from the wave action while making a cast.
The KVD brand is on everything in the boat.
The KVD brand is on everything in the boat.
VanDam caught an estimated 16 pounds on the first spot he stopped on.
VanDam caught an estimated 16 pounds on the first spot he stopped on.
The bait that did most of KVD’s early damage.
The bait that did most of KVD’s early damage.
KVD down to the soles of his feet.
KVD down to the soles of his feet.
Time to move to another waypoint.
Time to move to another waypoint.
When big numbers of fish show themselves on his electronics, VanDam often refers to that spot as ‘the juice’.
When big numbers of fish show themselves on his electronics, VanDam often refers to that spot as ‘the juice’.
VanDam boats a fish that won’t help him cull.
VanDam boats a fish that won’t help him cull.
<p> Boxes of his Sexy Shad crankbaits are in the boat at all times. </p>
Boxes of his Sexy Shad crankbaits are in the boat at all times. 
VanDam looks over his shoulder to check for the ever-present spectator boats.
VanDam looks over his shoulder to check for the ever-present spectator boats.
VanDam fires a cast toward the water discharge area he has fished every day.
VanDam fires a cast toward the water discharge area he has fished every day.
VanDam likes his chances to close out his 7<sup>th</sup> AOY title at the end of the day.
VanDam likes his chances to close out his 7th AOY title at the end of the day.
Greg Hackney started Day Three in 2<sup>nd</sup> place with 34 pounds, 5 ounces.
Greg Hackney started Day Three in 2nd place with 34 pounds, 5 ounces.
Hackney moves as far forward on the boat as he can stand.
Hackney moves as far forward on the boat as he can stand.
Hackney fires a backhanded cast to clear the slack line from his reel.
Hackney fires a backhanded cast to clear the slack line from his reel.
Hackney reaches for the switch to lower his Power Poles.
Hackney reaches for the switch to lower his Power Poles.
Hackney rigs up a Strike King Rodent to do some flipping.
Hackney rigs up a Strike King Rodent to do some flipping.
Hackney was stalking fish in the clear backwater area he was fishing.
Hackney was stalking fish in the clear backwater area he was fishing.
<p> Hackney moves thick into cover to make a cast. </p>
Hackney moves thick into cover to make a cast. 
<p> Kevin VanDam hooks up as Mark Zona records the action with for a BASSCam video.</p>
Kevin VanDam hooks up as Mark Zona records the action with for a BASSCam video.
Recreational boat traffic picked up early on the weekend.
Recreational boat traffic picked up early on the weekend.
After riding out the waves from the large vessel, VanDam gets back to work.
After riding out the waves from the large vessel, VanDam gets back to work.
Mark Zona gives VanDam one of his lucky cookies.
Mark Zona gives VanDam one of his lucky cookies.
According the live blog, Yusuke Miyazaki somehow managed to allow a 6 to 7-foot snake into his boat. This photo was obviously taken before that happened.
According the live blog, Yusuke Miyazaki somehow managed to allow a 6 to 7-foot snake into his boat. This photo was obviously taken before that happened.
VanDam moves back to make another pass at the ledge he was fishing.
VanDam moves back to make another pass at the ledge he was fishing.
<p> This fish won’t help the cause. </p>
This fish won’t help the cause. 
Spectators stay close to KVD to watch him capture his 7<sup>th</sup> AOY title.
Spectators stay close to KVD to watch him capture his 7th AOY title.