Day 1 with Rojas

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Dean Rojas started his afternoon on the Niagara River well off the beaten path.
Dean Rojas started his afternoon on the Niagara River well off the beaten path.
His area included several boats tied up to the bank.
His area included several boats tied up to the bank.
But mainly it was well out of the wind, which had picked up strength for the afternoon matches.
But mainly it was well out of the wind, which had picked up strength for the afternoon matches.
The backwaters were filled with ducks, including this mallard hen.
The backwaters were filled with ducks, including this mallard hen.
And water so clear you it was almost like a mirror.
And water so clear you it was almost like a mirror.
Rojas would work the area thoroughly with a variety of baits.
Rojas would work the area thoroughly with a variety of baits.
And occasionally get hung up in the shoreline cover.
And occasionally get hung up in the shoreline cover.
Rojas would cover the whole area.
Rojas would cover the whole area.
Idling past areas that were not as attractive as others.
Idling past areas that were not as attractive as others.
Stopping in places that looked good, and getting some spectator attention from a flock of ducklings ad Mama Duck watched from a distance.
Stopping in places that looked good, and getting some spectator attention from a flock of ducklings ad Mama Duck watched from a distance.
Rojas would often kneel to get into tight places, but couldn't make the ducklings understand that his bait was almost as big as them.
Rojas would often kneel to get into tight places, but couldn’t make the ducklings understand that his bait was almost as big as them.
He would wind up on the main channel of the Niagara River where it appeared as if he worked a spawning bed for several minutes.
He would wind up on the main channel of the Niagara River where it appeared as if he worked a spawning bed for several minutes.
But after an hour of working he failed to raise a bite.
But after an hour of working he failed to raise a bite.
The three-hour window didn't allow for much experimentation. Rojas would have to move to the main river.
The three-hour window didn’t allow for much experimentation. Rojas would have to move to the main river.
Jordan Lee would speed past, leaving a spray of water on what was quickly becoming a bumpy Niagara River.
Jordan Lee would speed past, leaving a spray of water on what was quickly becoming a bumpy Niagara River.
And to make certain he didn't cross in any off-limits areas, he double checked things with tournament official Chris Bowes.
And to make certain he didn’t cross in any off-limits areas, he double checked things with tournament official Chris Bowes.
The wind had picked up and it was obvious by the flags flying straight out in the background.
The wind had picked up and it was obvious by the flags flying straight out in the background.
The main river brought with it rocky banks that created several break offs and required the same number of re-ties.
The main river brought with it rocky banks that created several break offs and required the same number of re-ties.
Rojas, though, would keep working.
Rojas, though, would keep working.
And after 1 hour and 45 minutes would get his first bite.
And after 1 hour and 45 minutes would get his first bite.
He would make quick work at getting the fish to the boat.
He would make quick work at getting the fish to the boat.
It didn't hurt that the fish wasn't too big.
It didn’t hurt that the fish wasn’t too big.
It would weigh in at 1 pounds, 4 ounces but put Rojas on the board.
It would weigh in at 1 pounds, 4 ounces but put Rojas on the board.
The hang ups, though, would continue.
The hang ups, though, would continue.
But he would follow that up with a fish catch.
But he would follow that up with a fish catch.
Like the first keeper, this one wouldn't weigh much but it would count.
Like the first keeper, this one wouldn’t weigh much but it would count.
Rojas was obviously concerned at the lack of better bites, making short moves to find what he needed.
Rojas was obviously concerned at the lack of better bites, making short moves to find what he needed.
Passing by resting birds that didn't seem too interested in fishing.
Passing by resting birds that didn’t seem too interested in fishing.
Rojas, though, would keep working and keep breaking off.
Rojas, though, would keep working and keep breaking off.
Then re-tying.
Then re-tying.
The wind and waves would be stiff enough to lift the boat out of the water at times.
The wind and waves would be stiff enough to lift the boat out of the water at times.
And force Rojas to make a final move with less than 20 minutes left to go.
And force Rojas to make a final move with less than 20 minutes left to go.
This area would be a little more protected from the waves.
This area would be a little more protected from the waves.
And quickly add a third keeper for the day.
And quickly add a third keeper for the day.
The fish, though, would lack the size needed to catch up with opponent Jordon Lee.
The fish, though, would lack the size needed to catch up with opponent Jordon Lee.
But it promised that there could be more like it in the spot.
But it promised that there could be more like it in the spot.
Every angler hoped they would eventually slip up on a school of smallmouth that could turn things around.
Every angler hoped they would eventually slip up on a school of smallmouth that could turn things around.
The school didn't materialize and this would be Rojas' last cast.
The school didn’t materialize and this would be Rojas’ last cast.
Once it was reeled in he explained to the
Once it was reeled in he explained to the “Live” audience what may have went wrong and what he need to do the next day to make up for lost ground.