Day Three on the St. Lawrence

See how the Elite Series pros are doing on the water for the Evan Williams Bourbon Showdown.

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<p>Kevin VanDam works a jerkbait, while Bassmaster cameraman Rick Mason captures the action.</p>
Kevin VanDam works a jerkbait, while Bassmaster cameraman Rick Mason captures the action.
<p>While VanDam concentrates on his electronics, Edwin Evers speeds past in the background.</p>
While VanDam concentrates on his electronics, Edwin Evers speeds past in the background.
<p>Within the first few minutes, VanDam catches his first keeper, but it’s one he hopes will cull.</p>
Within the first few minutes, VanDam catches his first keeper, but it’s one he hopes will cull.
<p>He follows it up with a second keeper of the same size.</p>
He follows it up with a second keeper of the same size.
<p>Nearby, Jonathon VanDam is hooked up.</p>
Nearby, Jonathon VanDam is hooked up.
<p>The smallmouth makes a short jump next to the boat.</p>
The smallmouth makes a short jump next to the boat.
<p>And VanDam moves to the driver’s seat to land it.</p>
And VanDam moves to the driver’s seat to land it.
<p>He quickly grabs the fish and finishes his limit in under an hour of fishing.</p>
He quickly grabs the fish and finishes his limit in under an hour of fishing.
<p>It is also one this VanDam hopes to cull.</p>
It is also one this VanDam hopes to cull.
<p>Jonathon VanDam picks up and moves upstream, sending a spray of water highlighted by the sun.</p>
Jonathon VanDam picks up and moves upstream, sending a spray of water highlighted by the sun.
<p>Chad Pipkens watches his electronics intently, looking for fish to drop his bait to as he drifts down the river.</p>
Chad Pipkens watches his electronics intently, looking for fish to drop his bait to as he drifts down the river.
<p>Pipkens rarely looked away from his electronics, even while re-tying. That’s Jonathon VanDam in the background.</p>
Pipkens rarely looked away from his electronics, even while re-tying. That’s Jonathon VanDam in the background.
<p>Kevin VanDam speeds downriver, while Cliff Pace studies his electronics near the main channel of the St. Lawrence River.</p>
Kevin VanDam speeds downriver, while Cliff Pace studies his electronics near the main channel of the St. Lawrence River.
<p>Kevin Hawk hooks up just as a pleasure boater cruises by.</p>
Kevin Hawk hooks up just as a pleasure boater cruises by.
<p>The fish pulls hard enough to almost take Hawk to his knees.</p>
The fish pulls hard enough to almost take Hawk to his knees.
<p>Hawk, though, is able to bring the fish around the bow…</p>
Hawk, though, is able to bring the fish around the bow…
<p>And to the side of the boat.</p>
And to the side of the boat.
<p>It takes a few stabs…</p>
It takes a few stabs…
<p>Before he is able to lip the fish.</p>
Before he is able to lip the fish.
<p>Within a few minutes, Hawk is hooked up again and the battle takes him to the back of the boat.</p>
Within a few minutes, Hawk is hooked up again and the battle takes him to the back of the boat.
<p>Hawk made a complete circle around the boat with the fish,</p>
Hawk made a complete circle around the boat with the fish,
<p>Before getting it to the side of the boat.</p>
Before getting it to the side of the boat.
<p>This one was much larger.</p>
This one was much larger.
<p>A proud angler shows off his catch.</p>
A proud angler shows off his catch.
<p>The fish sends Hawk to the culling board.</p>
The fish sends Hawk to the culling board.
<p>And within a few minutes, he’s hooked up yet again, with a pleasure boater watching some of the action as he passes by.</p>
And within a few minutes, he’s hooked up yet again, with a pleasure boater watching some of the action as he passes by.
<p>Hawk’s consistent action allowed him to build a heavy stringer early.</p>
Hawk’s consistent action allowed him to build a heavy stringer early.
<p>Downstream, Davy Hite hoists a keeper from the driver’s seat.</p>
Downstream, Davy Hite hoists a keeper from the driver’s seat.
<p>The fish was Hite’s third of the morning.</p>
The fish was Hite’s third of the morning.