College: Day 3 on Martin

Posted on
We head out on the water to see how the anglers will fare on the final day of the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Southern Regional on Lake Martin presented by Bass Pro Shops.
We head out on the water to see how the anglers will fare on the final day of the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Southern Regional on Lake Martin presented by Bass Pro Shops.
The team of Luis McMurphy and MJ Vihnanek of the University of South Alabama start the day cranking.
The team of Luis McMurphy and MJ Vihnanek of the University of South Alabama start the day cranking.
Finesse gear…
Finesse gear…
…for finesse crankbaits.
…for finesse crankbaits.
Slow and steady. South Alabama grind away as they creep their crankbaits along the bottom.
Slow and steady. South Alabama grind away as they creep their crankbaits along the bottom.
Time to swap up to a deeper diver.
Time to swap up to a deeper diver.
Keep these logs in mind. They’ll come up again late in the gallery.
Keep these logs in mind. They’ll come up again late in the gallery.
Contemplating what to do, “Anything before 11:30 is bonus.”
Contemplating what to do, “Anything before 11:30 is bonus.”
Cameraman Rick Mason rolls on.
Cameraman Rick Mason rolls on.
MJ makes a cast.
MJ makes a cast.
Time to make a move.
Time to make a move.
South Alabama already have one small keeper in the boat.
South Alabama already have one small keeper in the boat.
On to the next stop.
On to the next stop.
Luis sends a cast out.
Luis sends a cast out.
Keeping two crankbaits in the water, USA continues down 45 degree sloping banks.
Keeping two crankbaits in the water, USA continues down 45 degree sloping banks.
Luis hooks up…
Luis hooks up…
…and MJ goes for the net.
…and MJ goes for the net.
Not a giant…
Not a giant…
…but that’s No. 2.
…but that’s No. 2.
Covering water, USA found some hungry big fish on Day 2 to amass over 17-pounds. They hope to have the same good fortune on Day 3.
Covering water, USA found some hungry big fish on Day 2 to amass over 17-pounds. They hope to have the same good fortune on Day 3.
Meanwhile, John Davis and Payton McGinnis of the University of Alabama, brought in 19-8 on Day 2 to grab the lead.
Meanwhile, John Davis and Payton McGinnis of the University of Alabama, brought in 19-8 on Day 2 to grab the lead.
As unlikely as it might be given the 44,000 acres that make up Lake Martin, Alabama makes its way down the same bank, with the same laydowns that we saw USA fish earlier this morning. Though USA has vacated the area already, it seems this stretch may have been the money stretch for two giant bags on Day 2.
As unlikely as it might be given the 44,000 acres that make up Lake Martin, Alabama makes its way down the same bank, with the same laydowns that we saw USA fish earlier this morning. Though USA has vacated the area already, it seems this stretch may have been the money stretch for two giant bags on Day 2.
Peyton and Davis already with a solid limit in the boat, know they could be one bite away from winning the Southern Regional.
Peyton and Davis already with a solid limit in the boat, know they could be one bite away from winning the Southern Regional.
Peyton hooks up.
Peyton hooks up.
Easy does it…
Easy does it…
In the boat.
In the boat.
This one wanted it.
This one wanted it.
When bass are eating a crankbait like that, you’re onto something.
When bass are eating a crankbait like that, you’re onto something.
Time to cull.
Time to cull.
Not a big cull, but that puts Alabama around 9-pounds on the day and it’s still early.
Not a big cull, but that puts Alabama around 9-pounds on the day and it’s still early.
You stay, you go.
You stay, you go.
Time to get back out there and try to cull again.
Time to get back out there and try to cull again.
Knowing they’ve already qualified for the upcoming Carhartt College Series National Championship, McGinnis and Davis are pretty happy with the week so far.
Knowing they’ve already qualified for the upcoming Carhartt College Series National Championship, McGinnis and Davis are pretty happy with the week so far.
But there’s still something on the line, a Regional Championship.
But there’s still something on the line, a Regional Championship.
Cameraman Brian Mason works to get the angle with the GoPro.
Cameraman Brian Mason works to get the angle with the GoPro.
Keeping a crankbait in their hand, Alabama jumps from rocky bank to rocky bank.
Keeping a crankbait in their hand, Alabama jumps from rocky bank to rocky bank.
Cranking on Lake Martin isn’t as simple as chuck and wind. It’s an art. McGinnis and Davis are dialed in and in sync.
Cranking on Lake Martin isn’t as simple as chuck and wind. It’s an art. McGinnis and Davis are dialed in and in sync.
McGinnis and Davis talk over their pattern while idling to their next spot.
McGinnis and Davis talk over their pattern while idling to their next spot.
Wiggle Warts, Shad Raps and square bills. The common culprit this week.
Wiggle Warts, Shad Raps and square bills. The common culprit this week.
With the lead coming into Day 3 and an early limit, Alabama sits atop the hill. It’s up to someone else to try to knock them off at this point and it’s looking like it’s going to take another monster bag to do it.
With the lead coming into Day 3 and an early limit, Alabama sits atop the hill. It’s up to someone else to try to knock them off at this point and it’s looking like it’s going to take another monster bag to do it.
Time to head back towards the ramp and work their way back through the milk run that’s gotten them to this point.
Time to head back towards the ramp and work their way back through the milk run that’s gotten them to this point.