Day 4 with Martens

Spend Day 4 on Lake Havasu with tournament champion Aaron Martens!

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Aaron Martens started day four of the Lake Havasu elite series tournament just down the shore from the blast off ramp.
Aaron Martens started day four of the Lake Havasu elite series tournament just down the shore from the blast off ramp.
When he arrived at his first fishing spot he began to cast a large swimbait.
When he arrived at his first fishing spot he began to cast a large swimbait.
He repeatedly cast towards some man made fish habitat.
He repeatedly cast towards some man made fish habitat.
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Another cast…
Another cast…
Martens switched baits several times trying to get a bite.
Martens switched baits several times trying to get a bite.
Aaron moves to several fish habitat areas to see if any of the Lake Havasu bass were hungry.
Aaron moves to several fish habitat areas to see if any of the Lake Havasu bass were hungry.
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After a slow start and no bites, Martens moves offshore to locate a deeper bite.
After a slow start and no bites, Martens moves offshore to locate a deeper bite.
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There was no action offshore so Aaron moved back to some new fish habitat closer to the bank.
There was no action offshore so Aaron moved back to some new fish habitat closer to the bank.
Martens is putting his Enigma rods to the test.
Martens is putting his Enigma rods to the test.
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Guys, its time to move! They aren’t biting here.
Guys, its time to move! They aren’t biting here.
And we’re off, moving to the mouth of the river.
And we’re off, moving to the mouth of the river.
On Day 4, Aaron Martens started to flip the tules grass.
On Day 4, Aaron Martens started to flip the tules grass.
What hides in the tules jungle?
What hides in the tules jungle?
Let's find out.
Let’s find out.
Flippin’ some heavy, heavy cover!
Flippin’ some heavy, heavy cover!
Shaye Baker hovers above the scene...
Shaye Baker hovers above the scene…
... Shaye shoots a few pictures of Martens from above.
… Shaye shoots a few pictures of Martens from above.
Martens is getting serious ... it's time to catch ‘em!
Martens is getting serious … it’s time to catch ‘em!
At this point, Martens still didn’t have much of a bag, but he stayed focused.
At this point, Martens still didn’t have much of a bag, but he stayed focused.
Several helicopters flew by.
Several helicopters flew by.
Dave Mercer showed up to do some bassmaster live via the drone.
Dave Mercer showed up to do some bassmaster live via the drone.
Martens is flippin’ and hoping for a big bite.
Martens is flippin’ and hoping for a big bite.
He sets the hook and swings a Redear into the boat ...
He sets the hook and swings a Redear into the boat …
…holding it up for the cameras to see.
…holding it up for the cameras to see.
A few flips later Aaron sets the hook. This time it’s a good fish.
A few flips later Aaron sets the hook. This time it’s a good fish.
He pulls the bass out of the tules.
He pulls the bass out of the tules.
Stay on and come on.
Stay on and come on.
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Almost in the boat...
Almost in the boat…
Got her!
Got her!
Guys, that's a four-pounder!
Guys, that’s a four-pounder!
Martens holds the largemouth up to show the video camera.
Martens holds the largemouth up to show the video camera.
YES! Finally a good fish!
YES! Finally a good fish!
Did that just happen?
Did that just happen?
Awhile later, Aaron explained that he was fishing “the blackbird pattern,” which consisted of looking for tules with birds nesting on the fallen tules mattes. “Sometimes the birds fall in the water and the fish eat them,” he said.
Awhile later, Aaron explained that he was fishing “the blackbird pattern,” which consisted of looking for tules with birds nesting on the fallen tules mattes. “Sometimes the birds fall in the water and the fish eat them,” he said.
These birds popped out of the tules right after Martens caught his 4-pounder.
These birds popped out of the tules right after Martens caught his 4-pounder.
Aaron flips the areas with the most birds.
Aaron flips the areas with the most birds.
Martens' spot seen from afar.
Martens’ spot seen from afar.
After a quick run up the side of this cliff face, we were able to get a few shots of Martens from above.
After a quick run up the side of this cliff face, we were able to get a few shots of Martens from above.
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With only an hour left to fish, Aaron doesn’t give up and works right until the last minute.
With only an hour left to fish, Aaron doesn’t give up and works right until the last minute.
In the end, this tactic brought the Elite victory home for Martens.
In the end, this tactic brought the Elite victory home for Martens.
“Okay guys, time to hit the dock! What a day!”
“Okay guys, time to hit the dock! What a day!”