Downey’s early Day 3 change up

Bob Downey started Day 3 with a run down to Salt Springs at the upper end of Lake George, where he landed his first-day bag of 27 funds, 4 ounces. The area only produced a 6-pound, 11-ounce bass yesterday, but he said he wanted to check the area out and see if the warming trend has spawners moving up.
Bob Downey started Day 3 with a run down to Salt Springs at the upper end of Lake George, where he landed his first-day bag of 27 funds, 4 ounces. The area only produced a 6-pound, 11-ounce bass yesterday, but he said he wanted to check the area out and see if the warming trend has spawners moving up.
However, Downey said he was changing his approach, focusing more on the shallow banks. “I’m going to try that area (where he caught his first-day limit), but probably not as long as I did yesterday,” he explained. That area was about 25 yards of water just off the bank that featured a depression in which bass had pushed during the cool, breezy first day.
However, Downey said he was changing his approach, focusing more on the shallow banks. “I’m going to try that area (where he caught his first-day limit), but probably not as long as I did yesterday,” he explained. That area was about 25 yards of water just off the bank that featured a depression in which bass had pushed during the cool, breezy first day.
He started with a buzz bait, which ran parallel to the banks in hopes that bass have moved up to spawn.
He started with a buzz bait, which ran parallel to the banks in hopes that bass have moved up to spawn.
He rotated through baits early, but his focus remained tight to the banks.
He rotated through baits early, but his focus remained tight to the banks.
A deck covered with rods ensured he had all the tools he might need at hand.
A deck covered with rods ensured he had all the tools he might need at hand.
The skies were overcast when Downey arrived in Salt Springs, and there wasn’t a puff of wind. That started changing by about 9 a.m., when the clouds broke. But there still was barely a breeze.
The skies were overcast when Downey arrived in Salt Springs, and there wasn’t a puff of wind. That started changing by about 9 a.m., when the clouds broke. But there still was barely a breeze.
He made a pinpoint cast into a pocket n the bank cover, which paid off in a big way.
He made a pinpoint cast into a pocket n the bank cover, which paid off in a big way.
The cast produced his first bite of the day, a chunky bass that put up a good fight on the way to the boat.
The cast produced his first bite of the day, a chunky bass that put up a good fight on the way to the boat.
But Downey finally won the battle, scooping the 4-pound bass into the boat.
But Downey finally won the battle, scooping the 4-pound bass into the boat.
 It was time to celebrate the ice-breaker, which gave him confidence in his decision to focus on bass moving into the shallows.
It was time to celebrate the ice-breaker, which gave him confidence in his decision to focus on bass moving into the shallows.
The lure that produced the 4-pounder was a Rapala X-Rap Prop.
The lure that produced the 4-pounder was a Rapala X-Rap Prop.
He continued working the banks as soon as the bass was safely stored in his livewell.
He continued working the banks as soon as the bass was safely stored in his livewell.