Aaron Martens on the water

A third-place finish yesterday put Aaron Martens in prime position to capture the 2013 Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year title. He worked to clinch it today.

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Aaron Martens started his day in Lake Erie where the wind had the big lake rolling in waves. When Martens moved to a new spot, he would often have to grab his front seat to brace himself while reaching for the trolling motor.
Aaron Martens started his day in Lake Erie where the wind had the big lake rolling in waves. When Martens moved to a new spot, he would often have to grab his front seat to brace himself while reaching for the trolling motor.
Rolling waves washed by him all day ...
Rolling waves washed by him all day …
... forcing his trolling motor from the water on a consistent basis ...
… forcing his trolling motor from the water on a consistent basis …
... then sending him crashing down.
… then sending him crashing down.
Waves crashing were a constant part of the day.
Waves crashing were a constant part of the day.
While navigating the waves, he kept a sharp eye on his electronics ...
While navigating the waves, he kept a sharp eye on his electronics …
... and he consistently caught fish.
… and he consistently caught fish.
Again ...
Again …
And again ...
And again …
And the waves consistently pounded his boat ...
And the waves consistently pounded his boat …
Forcing Martens to land fish in the spray ...
Forcing Martens to land fish in the spray …
The waves didn’t stop, even with the fish in the boat.
The waves didn’t stop, even with the fish in the boat.
And at times the waves and fish catching caused some stumbles like in the next few images.
And at times the waves and fish catching caused some stumbles like in the next few images.
And after you stumble a bit, a fish can actually jump in places you don’t expect him to be.
And after you stumble a bit, a fish can actually jump in places you don’t expect him to be.
But if he jumps high enough, he will reveal himself.
But if he jumps high enough, he will reveal himself.
And if it’s rough enough you need to fight him from your knees.
And if it’s rough enough you need to fight him from your knees.
The whole rocking process produces some nice smallmouth.
The whole rocking process produces some nice smallmouth.
And then you start over again by moving you boat to make another drift.
And then you start over again by moving you boat to make another drift.
Even then the swales can almost swallow you.
Even then the swales can almost swallow you.
It’s not only big smallmouth that live here.
It’s not only big smallmouth that live here.
Big waves, though, are consistent.
Big waves, though, are consistent.
And smallmouth are consistently big.
And smallmouth are consistently big.
Martens goes high moving to make another drift.
Martens goes high moving to make another drift.
He mostly made short casts with a drop shot.
He mostly made short casts with a drop shot.
And there were few slack periods when he wasn’t hooked up.
And there were few slack periods when he wasn’t hooked up.
Sometimes, though, they weren’t smallmouth.
Sometimes, though, they weren’t smallmouth.
Some bites would turn into big drum.
Some bites would turn into big drum.
And as if he didn’t have enough water, Martens would get a drink.
And as if he didn’t have enough water, Martens would get a drink.