Day 3 with Prince on St. Johns

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Local favorite Cliff Prince stubbed his toe on Day 1 of this event, but with a big day on Friday he is in contention and is looking to jump into the Top 12. Follow along with his Day 3 on the St. Johns River.
Local favorite Cliff Prince stubbed his toe on Day 1 of this event, but with a big day on Friday he is in contention and is looking to jump into the Top 12. Follow along with his Day 3 on the St. Johns River.
Cliff Prince starts his day just north of Palatka as he looks to jump into contention.
Cliff Prince starts his day just north of Palatka as he looks to jump into contention.
Prince pulls up the trolling motor after starting in a small area early on Saturday.
Prince pulls up the trolling motor after starting in a small area early on Saturday.
He decides to head a little farther north in search of his first keeper.
He decides to head a little farther north in search of his first keeper.
Prince started his morning by covering water instead of sight fishing like the majority of the anglers that went south to Lake George this week.
Prince started his morning by covering water instead of sight fishing like the majority of the anglers that went south to Lake George this week.
He used his local knowledge to formulate a gameplan that didn’t revolve around sight fishing.
He used his local knowledge to formulate a gameplan that didn’t revolve around sight fishing.
It only took about 30 minutes for Prince to leave and head south to a couple areas that were key for him so far in the event.
It only took about 30 minutes for Prince to leave and head south to a couple areas that were key for him so far in the event.
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We followed him on the 15-minute ride and as we caught up with him he just landed his first fish of the day. It was his first or second cast after stopping on this spot.
We followed him on the 15-minute ride and as we caught up with him he just landed his first fish of the day. It was his first or second cast after stopping on this spot.
“Gotta start somewhere,” said Prince.
“Gotta start somewhere,” said Prince.
Fish began schooling in Prince’s area.
Fish began schooling in Prince’s area.
And he hooked up moments later.
And he hooked up moments later.
He continues to fight the fish towards the boat.
He continues to fight the fish towards the boat.
It comes unbuttoned close to the boat, but Prince keeps casting and fishing his area.
It comes unbuttoned close to the boat, but Prince keeps casting and fishing his area.
After switching to a spinning rod he hooks up.
After switching to a spinning rod he hooks up.
This fish jumps near the boat, but he keeps it hooked up.
This fish jumps near the boat, but he keeps it hooked up.
That’s keeper number two for Prince.
That’s keeper number two for Prince.
Prince gets a school of fish fired up and he hooks into another one.
Prince gets a school of fish fired up and he hooks into another one.
But this one comes off too so Prince re-rigs.
But this one comes off too so Prince re-rigs.
Prince is on the move after the school stops biting.
Prince is on the move after the school stops biting.
This spot is ready to go as Prince bows up on a Florida largemouth.
This spot is ready to go as Prince bows up on a Florida largemouth.
Prince tries to keep it down as he walks to the side of the boat.
Prince tries to keep it down as he walks to the side of the boat.
But it jumps near the boat.
But it jumps near the boat.
Prince keeps his cool and reaches in the water to land the fish.
Prince keeps his cool and reaches in the water to land the fish.
That’s a good one! This one gets Prince going, as it’s his first quality keeper of the day.
That’s a good one! This one gets Prince going, as it’s his first quality keeper of the day.
But there is no time to celebrate as he could’ve ignited this spot and has to get his bait back in the water.
But there is no time to celebrate as he could’ve ignited this spot and has to get his bait back in the water.
On cue he hooks up again.
On cue he hooks up again.
He swings aboard a 2-pounder to add to his livewell count.
He swings aboard a 2-pounder to add to his livewell count.
Prince knows this river like the back of his hand so it helps him stay calm as he methodically picks his shots.
Prince knows this river like the back of his hand so it helps him stay calm as he methodically picks his shots.
Another cast, another hook up.
Another cast, another hook up.
The splash this one gives off indicates it could be a good one.
The splash this one gives off indicates it could be a good one.
So Prince takes it to the side of the boat.
So Prince takes it to the side of the boat.
He reaches over the side of the boat.
He reaches over the side of the boat.
And a sigh of relief as he grabs ahold of a good one and brings it in.
And a sigh of relief as he grabs ahold of a good one and brings it in.
That may be the biggest of the morning for Prince.
That may be the biggest of the morning for Prince.
Putting this one on the big side.
Putting this one on the big side.
Another cast…
Another cast…
Another catch. That’s a limit for Prince.
Another catch. That’s a limit for Prince.
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Another local hammer on the St. Johns River speeds by. Terry Scroggins looks to put his name in the running this week. He started Day 3 in second place.
Another local hammer on the St. Johns River speeds by. Terry Scroggins looks to put his name in the running this week. He started Day 3 in second place.
Moments later Cliff Prince hooks up, but it comes off after jumping. He knows this was a good one. Agony of defeat on that fish battle.
Moments later Cliff Prince hooks up, but it comes off after jumping. He knows this was a good one. Agony of defeat on that fish battle.
The determined Palatka native hooks up and keeps the good vibes flowing.
The determined Palatka native hooks up and keeps the good vibes flowing.
He keeps it down near the side of the boat so it doesn’t come off.
He keeps it down near the side of the boat so it doesn’t come off.
Then he swings it in. There is a cull for Prince.
Then he swings it in. There is a cull for Prince.
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Jared Lintner speeds by.
Jared Lintner speeds by.
Prince is ready to head out. He changes spots…
Prince is ready to head out. He changes spots…
And a hookup results.
And a hookup results.
Prince is running multiple baits through his areas in hopes of enticing a bite.
Prince is running multiple baits through his areas in hopes of enticing a bite.
He swings this one aboard for another cull. Looking for a St. Johns giant now.
He swings this one aboard for another cull. Looking for a St. Johns giant now.
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Prince tosses the smallest back into the St. Johns River.
Prince tosses the smallest back into the St. Johns River.
Then he heads out after a lull in the action.
Then he heads out after a lull in the action.
Prince knows he has some ground to make up after starting the day in 18th place. His day one trip up could come back to haunt him, but he silenced those thoughts yesterday after catching 23 pounds.
Prince knows he has some ground to make up after starting the day in 18th place. His day one trip up could come back to haunt him, but he silenced those thoughts yesterday after catching 23 pounds.
He speeds to another spot and this next area is a change of pace from how he has fished all day.
He speeds to another spot and this next area is a change of pace from how he has fished all day.
He has a big bass on the bed he wants to take to the weigh-in stage.
He has a big bass on the bed he wants to take to the weigh-in stage.
His flotilla of boats remains steady as we approach 11 a.m.
His flotilla of boats remains steady as we approach 11 a.m.
Prince posts up on this bed fish and hooks up.
Prince posts up on this bed fish and hooks up.
It breaks the surface as Prince reels it in.
It breaks the surface as Prince reels it in.
He knows he didn’t hook the big girl as this is the male buck bass.
He knows he didn’t hook the big girl as this is the male buck bass.
He decides to push pole in an effort to remain silent. He did not catch the bass after two separate stops on this fish. If he makes it to Championship Sunday you better believe this will be a game-changing spot he will likely stop on.
He decides to push pole in an effort to remain silent. He did not catch the bass after two separate stops on this fish. If he makes it to Championship Sunday you better believe this will be a game-changing spot he will likely stop on.