Day 3 on the James

Starting off his day in second place, Dave Dudley headed to Gordon’s Creek in search of a big bite to push him into the lead.
Starting off his day in second place, Dave Dudley headed to Gordon’s Creek in search of a big bite to push him into the lead.
Using a combination of square bill crank baits and soft plastics Dudley worked the area slowly, making sure to cover every inch of his spot.
Using a combination of square bill crank baits and soft plastics Dudley worked the area slowly, making sure to cover every inch of his spot.
His co-angler hooks up.
His co-angler hooks up.
This one's only a small guy.
This one’s only a small guy.
Into the livewell he goes.
Into the livewell he goes.
Dudley continues to cast and work his bait through the stumps and wood below the surface.
Dudley continues to cast and work his bait through the stumps and wood below the surface.
A few casts later…
A few casts later…
There’s one!
There’s one!
Dave quickly boat flips the fish as it shakes and twists through the air.
Dave quickly boat flips the fish as it shakes and twists through the air.
That one will help!
That one will help!
Dudley unhooks the fish.
Dudley unhooks the fish.
Then holds it up for the camera.
Then holds it up for the camera.
Another one from the back of the boat.
Another one from the back of the boat.
Not a giant, but that’s a limit!
Not a giant, but that’s a limit!
Dudley returns to fishing.
Dudley returns to fishing.
Bartoschi hooks another fish.
Bartoschi hooks another fish.
Dudley makes a small move and makes a few casts near a tree.
Dudley makes a small move and makes a few casts near a tree.
Nothing here, time to make a move.
Nothing here, time to make a move.
A ways up the Chick, Chad Pipkens was hunting for a big bag.
A ways up the Chick, Chad Pipkens was hunting for a big bag.
Up about 100 yards from Pipkens we found Charlie Hartley.
Up about 100 yards from Pipkens we found Charlie Hartley.
Pipkens thoroughly worked the area.
Pipkens thoroughly worked the area.
He catches a small one and boat flips it.
He catches a small one and boat flips it.
Only 4 little fish in the box.
Only 4 little fish in the box.
Charlie was fishing docks and “putting baits where you shouldn’t put baits.” On our way over to him he pulled a small fish over several obstacles and into his boat laughing. “I just love catching fish, man!”
Charlie was fishing docks and “putting baits where you shouldn’t put baits.” On our way over to him he pulled a small fish over several obstacles and into his boat laughing. “I just love catching fish, man!”
Although still early in the morning, the temperatures were already climbing.
Although still early in the morning, the temperatures were already climbing.
Charlie goes back to the docks.
Charlie goes back to the docks.
Pipkens picks up the trolling motor and heads to a new area.
Pipkens picks up the trolling motor and heads to a new area.
Hartley is convinced the big ones are under the docks.
Hartley is convinced the big ones are under the docks.
Towards the dam, Brandon Palaniuk tries a variety of tricks to get a fish to bite.
Towards the dam, Brandon Palaniuk tries a variety of tricks to get a fish to bite.
Apparently his co angler landed an 8-pounder in the first five minutes of the fishing day.
Apparently his co angler landed an 8-pounder in the first five minutes of the fishing day.
Time to move.
Time to move.
As we headed in for the weigh-in, Charlie Hartley headed to one last spot in search of a quality bite.
As we headed in for the weigh-in, Charlie Hartley headed to one last spot in search of a quality bite.