Entering Day Four in 12th place, Randy Howell fishes a grassline early.
Photo: TJ Maglio
Howell expresses frustration that but there was a barge in the lock on Day Four, so he had to resort to “Plan B.”
Photo: TJ Maglio
After missing a fish, Howell rigs up a fresh Yamamoto Senko.
Photo: TJ Maglio
After receiving a call that the lock is open, Howell gets ready to leave.
Photo: TJ Maglio
Navigating shallow backwaters is standard procedure on the Upper Mississippi River.
Photo: TJ Maglio
Brandon Card idles across a shallow flat on Day Four.
Photo: TJ Maglio
After finding his primary area muddied, Brandon Card fishes a rock point at the lower end of Pool 8.
Photo: TJ Maglio
In minutes, he hooks up with a decent fish.
Photo: TJ Maglio
The fight is on.
Photo: TJ Maglio
Brandon Card lands a solid keeper.
Photo: TJ Maglio
In a tournament where ounces matter, Brandon Card checks his culling accuracy with a digital scale.
Photo: TJ Maglio
The fish is an upgrade and is quickly placed in the livewell.
Photo: TJ Maglio
Several casts later, Brandon Card hooks up again.
Photo: TJ Maglio
Another upgrade.
Photo: TJ Maglio
It’s apparent there are a lot of fish on this spot.
Photo: TJ Maglio
This time, the fish is a 2-pound smallmouth.
Photo: TJ Maglio
Another upgrade.
Photo: TJ Maglio
Brandon Card doesn’t need the scale to tell this one will help.
Photo: TJ Maglio
The fish are stacked up on rock levees placed by the Corps of Engineers.
Photo: TJ Maglio
In minutes, another decent keeper comes into the boat.
Photo: TJ Maglio
This time, a chunky largemouth fell for Card’s swimjig.
Photo: TJ Maglio
The action was fast and furious for almost a half hour.
Photo: TJ Maglio
In fourth place entering Day Four, Card quickly culled up to more than 12 pounds at this spot.
Photo: TJ Maglio
Fred Roumbanis is considered one of the best frog fishermen on the Elite Series.
Photo: TJ Maglio
With a limit already in the boat, this small keeper was no help to the Oklahoma angler.
Photo: TJ Maglio
Frog fishing delivers heart-pounding excitement.
Photo: TJ Maglio
It also tends to leave boat carpeting pretty messy.
Photo: TJ Maglio
This fish proved to be an upgrade for Roumbanis.
Photo: TJ Maglio
Another small keeper ends up boatside.
Photo: TJ Maglio
Roumbanis hooks up again on a frog.
Photo: TJ Maglio
Chopping through grassbeds requires frequent trolling motor cleaning.
Photo: TJ Maglio
