Day 3 with Chapman

Catch up with Elite pro Brent Chapman on Day 3 on Cayuga Lake!

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Brent Chapman fished most of the day within sight of the Union City boat ramp.
Brent Chapman fished most of the day within sight of the Union City boat ramp.
Chapman spent most of the day throwing a crankbait.
Chapman spent most of the day throwing a crankbait.
And getting a lot of bites. Many of those that would take him to his knees.
And getting a lot of bites. Many of those that would take him to his knees.
A lot of them would jump and splash.
A lot of them would jump and splash.
But they all eventually came in the boat.
But they all eventually came in the boat.
This hefty fish came close to culling for Chapman.
This hefty fish came close to culling for Chapman.
The 2 ½ pound bass came easily to hand.
The 2 ½ pound bass came easily to hand.
And held for a photograph.
And held for a photograph.
Chapman looks over the fish carefully.
Chapman looks over the fish carefully.
The goes to the scales.
The goes to the scales.
Where it is deemed too small to help.
Where it is deemed too small to help.
Chapman is fighting to get into the top 50 in AOY points for a shot at a Classic berth.
Chapman is fighting to get into the top 50 in AOY points for a shot at a Classic berth.
He’s currently on the bubble.
He’s currently on the bubble.
And a strong finish here would put him in the AOY championship.
And a strong finish here would put him in the AOY championship.
Chapman spent most of the day throwing a deep diving crankbait not far from Frontenac Park where the Elites take off.
Chapman spent most of the day throwing a deep diving crankbait not far from Frontenac Park where the Elites take off.
He had approximately 17 pounds in the livewell, but it wasn't enough for him.
He had approximately 17 pounds in the livewell, but it wasn’t enough for him.
He caught 4 fish while we watched ...
He caught 4 fish while we watched …
... but none of them would replace what he already had.
… but none of them would replace what he already had.
Regardless of how big they were ...
Regardless of how big they were …
... each one of them put on a show.
… each one of them put on a show.
Many of the anglers on Day 3 would have killed for this fish.
Many of the anglers on Day 3 would have killed for this fish.
It was too small to help.
It was too small to help.
Each time he would unhook the fish with his fingers.
Each time he would unhook the fish with his fingers.
He never took time to reach for the pliers at his feet.
He never took time to reach for the pliers at his feet.
This bass quickly went back.
This bass quickly went back.
Nearby Andy Montgomery fishes his own crankbait.
Nearby Andy Montgomery fishes his own crankbait.
While Chapman keeps throwing his.
While Chapman keeps throwing his.
The two would fish close to each other.
The two would fish close to each other.
And as soon as they passed, Chapman would hook up again.
And as soon as they passed, Chapman would hook up again.
This one came with a wad of grass.
This one came with a wad of grass.
The grass and the fish would go back in the lake.
The grass and the fish would go back in the lake.
Chapman downs a bottle of 5-Hour Energy so he can keep cranking.
Chapman downs a bottle of 5-Hour Energy so he can keep cranking.
Brent talks to the fish a lot. He started by requesting a 6 pounder, but said he'd settle for a 4. He has a very positive, focused attitude on the water, but no matter what he was talking about he never paused casting, checking his bait, casting again. Relentless, and it's paying off. He's fishing like a man who wants to be in the Classic in 2015.
Brent talks to the fish a lot. He started by requesting a 6 pounder, but said he’d settle for a 4. He has a very positive, focused attitude on the water, but no matter what he was talking about he never paused casting, checking his bait, casting again. Relentless, and it’s paying off. He’s fishing like a man who wants to be in the Classic in 2015.