Day 3 with Roumbanis and Hudnall

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After about a 40-minute run, tournament leader Fred Roumbanis reached his starting spot on the final day of the Bass Pro Shops Central Open on the Atchafalaya Basin.
After about a 40-minute run, tournament leader Fred Roumbanis reached his starting spot on the final day of the Bass Pro Shops Central Open on the Atchafalaya Basin.
Roumbanis started the day with 35 pounds, 15 ounces.
Roumbanis started the day with 35 pounds, 15 ounces.
He banks his boat hard left into one of the hundreds of canals in the area...
He banks his boat hard left into one of the hundreds of canals in the area…
...with a couple spectator boats on his tail.
…with a couple spectator boats on his tail.
Roumbanis pulls his flipping stick from the rod locker...
Roumbanis pulls his flipping stick from the rod locker…
...and gets to work.
…and gets to work.
Roumbanis failed to qualify for the 2016 Bassmaster Classic through the Elite Series, but can make it if he wins today.
Roumbanis failed to qualify for the 2016 Bassmaster Classic through the Elite Series, but can make it if he wins today.
He shields his eyes from the morning sun...
He shields his eyes from the morning sun…
...then made his way into a small lake off the canal.
…then made his way into a small lake off the canal.
Roumbanis had a seemingly comfortable 6-pound, 5-ounce lead over fellow Elite Series pro Greg Hackney.
Roumbanis had a seemingly comfortable 6-pound, 5-ounce lead over fellow Elite Series pro Greg Hackney.
But the area that had given up his first two days' weight was proving very, very stingy.
But the area that had given up his first two days’ weight was proving very, very stingy.
Roumbanis said he hadn't gotten many bites the first two days, either, but this morning was proving much more difficult than he had hoped for.
Roumbanis said he hadn’t gotten many bites the first two days, either, but this morning was proving much more difficult than he had hoped for.
He looks ahead for a spot where he had lost a 6-pounder on Day 2...
He looks ahead for a spot where he had lost a 6-pounder on Day 2…
...before raising his trolling motor to move closer.
…before raising his trolling motor to move closer.
Sure enough, the fish was back in the same place...
Sure enough, the fish was back in the same place…
...but came off right after Roumbanis set the hook. He continued to fish the area for more than three hours before deciding to make a 40-minute run in an effort, as he said, to just try and catch 10 pounds.
…but came off right after Roumbanis set the hook. He continued to fish the area for more than three hours before deciding to make a 40-minute run in an effort, as he said, to just try and catch 10 pounds.
On the way in, we were fortunate enough to run into 3rd place contender Derek Hudnall. When he drove past us he indicated he already had four fish in the livewell.
On the way in, we were fortunate enough to run into 3rd place contender Derek Hudnall. When he drove past us he indicated he already had four fish in the livewell.
We stayed with Hudnall for some time to see if he could put the last fish he needed for a limit in the livewell. Obviously, given Roumbanis' struggles, the door was open for another contender to challenge for the win.
We stayed with Hudnall for some time to see if he could put the last fish he needed for a limit in the livewell. Obviously, given Roumbanis’ struggles, the door was open for another contender to challenge for the win.