Day Four on the Mighty Miss

See how the Top 12 pros filled their livewells on the final day of the Mississippi River Rumble.

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