2011 Elite Series Citrus Slam – Day Three – OTW III

Step into the shoes of your favorite angler on day three of the 2011 Citrus Slam. This Elite Series tournament was held on the St. Johns River, Florida.

John Murray stopped along a St. Johns River shoreline for some quick bites early Saturday morning while he waited for the tide to get right in his main spot.
John Murray stopped along a St. Johns River shoreline for some quick bites early Saturday morning while he waited for the tide to get right in his main spot.
James Niggemeyer got into a frog bite early on Day Three. He missed a strike from a big fish a few minutes after this photo was taken.
James Niggemeyer got into a frog bite early on Day Three. He missed a strike from a big fish a few minutes after this photo was taken.
Brent Chapman fishes a fake frog over a grassbed on the east shoreline of Lake George.
Brent Chapman fishes a fake frog over a grassbed on the east shoreline of Lake George.
Brent Chapman boats a keeper early Saturday. It wasn't enough to move into the Top 12 for Sunday's finals, however.
Brent Chapman boats a keeper early Saturday. It wasn’t enough to move into the Top 12 for Sunday’s finals, however.
His face covered to protect him from the harsh Florida sun, John Crews works a grassbed in hopes of catching his first bass of the day.
His face covered to protect him from the harsh Florida sun, John Crews works a grassbed in hopes of catching his first bass of the day.
Hauling his trolling motor out of the water, John Crews does a dance step familiar to anglers moving from one hole to the next.
Hauling his trolling motor out of the water, John Crews does a dance step familiar to anglers moving from one hole to the next.
Brent Chapman is still looking for fish. You can tell because he hasn't deployed his Power-Pole anchor.
Brent Chapman is still looking for fish. You can tell because he hasn’t deployed his Power-Pole anchor.
Brent Chapman swings a small keeper aboard. He fished the same grassbed most of the day.
Brent Chapman swings a small keeper aboard. He fished the same grassbed most of the day.
Todd Faircloth seems mired in mud as he fishes for a bedding bass within a thick mat of weeds.
Todd Faircloth seems mired in mud as he fishes for a bedding bass within a thick mat of weeds.
Kevin VanDam hurries a fish to the boat. It appeared to be a smaller male — not the 7-pounder he had been casting to.
Kevin VanDam hurries a fish to the boat. It appeared to be a smaller male — not the 7-pounder he had been casting to.
Because he was using light line on spinning gear, Kevin VanDam couldn't risk swinging this bass aboard for fear the line might break.
Because he was using light line on spinning gear, Kevin VanDam couldn’t risk swinging this bass aboard for fear the line might break.
A push pole was the preferred mode of propulsion for Billy McCaghren as he approached a bass bed.
A push pole was the preferred mode of propulsion for Billy McCaghren as he approached a bass bed.
Ott DeFoe poles through a sea of thick eelgrass as he tries to reach a bed holding a bigger bass
Ott DeFoe poles through a sea of thick eelgrass as he tries to reach a bed holding a bigger bass
Twin spawning beds have been carved out of eelgrass. One of these held a 3-pound bass that scooted out of the way before its photo could be taken.
Twin spawning beds have been carved out of eelgrass. One of these held a 3-pound bass that scooted out of the way before its photo could be taken.
Peter Thliveros had a good day on Lake George, but it wasn't enough to move him up into the Top 12.
Peter Thliveros had a good day on Lake George, but it wasn’t enough to move him up into the Top 12.
Alabama's Steve Kennedy caught two big bass by working grassbeds on Lake George. His limit moved him into the finals on Sunday.
Alabama’s Steve Kennedy caught two big bass by working grassbeds on Lake George. His limit moved him into the finals on Sunday.
John Crews steps gingerly toward the bow of his boat to approach a big St. Johns bass.
John Crews steps gingerly toward the bow of his boat to approach a big St. Johns bass.
Hoping to get a few extra inches of height so he could see into the water better, John Crews stands on the trolling motor bracket.
Hoping to get a few extra inches of height so he could see into the water better, John Crews stands on the trolling motor bracket.
Ryan Said, a rookie in the Elites, works a frog across a grassbed on the eastern shore of Lake George.
Ryan Said, a rookie in the Elites, works a frog across a grassbed on the eastern shore of Lake George.
While his Marshal records a bass catch in his BassTrakk transmitter, Brent Chapman goes hunting for another keeper.
While his Marshal records a bass catch in his BassTrakk transmitter, Brent Chapman goes hunting for another keeper.
Jeff Kriet is passed by locals in an airboat just before hooking up.
Jeff Kriet is passed by locals in an airboat just before hooking up.
Kriet leans back as he sets the hook.
Kriet leans back as he sets the hook.
Kriet brought in a 5-bass limit on Day Three for 11 pounds, 6 ounces.
Kriet brought in a 5-bass limit on Day Three for 11 pounds, 6 ounces.
Kriet finished the tournament in 30th place.
Kriet finished the tournament in 30th place.