Day 3 with Martens

We head off in search of Aaron Martens on the final day of the Bassmaster Classic. Looks like we’ve found him buried in these docks.
We head off in search of Aaron Martens on the final day of the Bassmaster Classic. Looks like we’ve found him buried in these docks.
Martens has maneuvered in and out of docks all week, fishing the banks between.
Martens has maneuvered in and out of docks all week, fishing the banks between.
Cast after cast, Aaron fires his crankbait shallow.
Cast after cast, Aaron fires his crankbait shallow.
Keeper number one strikes right at the boat.
Keeper number one strikes right at the boat.
Not a big one…
Not a big one…
But number one goes in the well.
But number one goes in the well.
Aaron gets back at it…
Aaron gets back at it…
While ESPN cameras roll.
While ESPN cameras roll.
All week, Aaron has battle with sticky rocks that seem to jump out and grab his crankbait as it swims by.
All week, Aaron has battle with sticky rocks that seem to jump out and grab his crankbait as it swims by.
A closer look at Aaron’s prize crank. One he’s had since high school.
A closer look at Aaron’s prize crank. One he’s had since high school.
Working to get between the docks, Aaron focuses mainly on the stretch of bank beneath each walkway.
Working to get between the docks, Aaron focuses mainly on the stretch of bank beneath each walkway.
Martens spots a bear of a photographer in the woods.
Martens spots a bear of a photographer in the woods.
Lots of spectators for Martens this morning.
Lots of spectators for Martens this morning.
Down the bank Aaron goes…
Down the bank Aaron goes…
Until its time to speed up between docks.
Until its time to speed up between docks.
A couple geese stir up.
A couple geese stir up.
After breaking off one of his prize cranks, Aaron sneaks another out of the box. His stock is running low.
After breaking off one of his prize cranks, Aaron sneaks another out of the box. His stock is running low.
Tying a special top secret knot
Tying a special top secret knot
Back to the rocky walls Aaron goes.
Back to the rocky walls Aaron goes.
Another strike right at the boat.
Another strike right at the boat.
Instinctively, Martens snatches the fish in.
Instinctively, Martens snatches the fish in.
Another small one…
Another small one…
But the fish are definitely starting to eat the bait better.
But the fish are definitely starting to eat the bait better.
Martens unhooks the fish.
Martens unhooks the fish.
Martens is in hyper-focus mode.
Martens is in hyper-focus mode.
Time to swap to a spinnerbait for a few casts.
Time to swap to a spinnerbait for a few casts.
The majority of the Top 12 have employed either a spinnerbait, crankbait or both.
The majority of the Top 12 have employed either a spinnerbait, crankbait or both.
Shallow cover is sparse, and key to catching fish this week.
Shallow cover is sparse, and key to catching fish this week.
Aaron cleans his crank.
Aaron cleans his crank.
Ready for the rod to bow in the other direction.
Ready for the rod to bow in the other direction.
What’s this guy doing?
What’s this guy doing?
These 45-degree banks are perfect for pre-spawn bass.
These 45-degree banks are perfect for pre-spawn bass.
Time to make a move.
Time to make a move.
Aaron pulls into a boat slip…
Aaron pulls into a boat slip…
To fish the stretch of bank behind it.
To fish the stretch of bank behind it.
Moving back to the rocks, Aaron hooks up.
Moving back to the rocks, Aaron hooks up.
The fish reveals itself.
The fish reveals itself.
Aaron pulls back…
Aaron pulls back…
Another small keeper in the boat…
Another small keeper in the boat…
And into the well.
And into the well.
Back behind the docks.
Back behind the docks.
Aaron continues to grind his crankbait along.
Aaron continues to grind his crankbait along.
These blunt points with morning sun on them seem to be what the anglers are focusing on.
These blunt points with morning sun on them seem to be what the anglers are focusing on.
Martens is in a great mood as always.
Martens is in a great mood as always.
On the move again…
On the move again…
Back to the docks again.
Back to the docks again.