Day Three with Greg Vinson

A cool night kept the big spawners from moving up in time for Greg Vinson to cash in on the final day of the 2012 Bassmaster Classic.

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<p> Greg Vinson, who finished 2nd in the 2012 Bassmaster Classic, spent the entire tournament in a small pocket in a Red River backwater known as the Little Jungle.</p>
Greg Vinson, who finished 2nd in the 2012 Bassmaster Classic, spent the entire tournament in a small pocket in a Red River backwater known as the Little Jungle.
Vinson's first fish wasn't a giant, but he wasn't complaining.
Vinson’s first fish wasn’t a giant, but he wasn’t complaining.
<p> Greg Vinson sets the hook on Day Three.</p>
Greg Vinson sets the hook on Day Three.
<p> There's always a media presence when you're in contention for a Classic title, especially when starting Day Three in 2nd place.</p>
There’s always a media presence when you’re in contention for a Classic title, especially when starting Day Three in 2nd place.
Greg Vinson was calm and collected despite the Classic's high stakes.
Greg Vinson was calm and collected despite the Classic’s high stakes.
The bass weren't giants early in the day, but at least Vinson was putting a few in the boat.
The bass weren’t giants early in the day, but at least Vinson was putting a few in the boat.
A push pole helped Vinson sneak up on fish that were moving onto spawning beds in this shallow backwater.
A push pole helped Vinson sneak up on fish that were moving onto spawning beds in this shallow backwater.
Time to change microphone batteries.
Time to change microphone batteries.
An ESPN2 camera boat was in perfect position to capture Vinson's catch.
An ESPN2 camera boat was in perfect position to capture Vinson’s catch.
Now that's a better fish that can help the Greg Vinson cause.
Now that’s a better fish that can help the Greg Vinson cause.
A row of old fence posts provided additional targets for Greg Vinson.
A row of old fence posts provided additional targets for Greg Vinson.
A spinnerbait was Vinson's search bait, but he switched to other lures from time to time.
A spinnerbait was Vinson’s search bait, but he switched to other lures from time to time.
Vinson worked a 200-yard stretch of water for most of the final day.
Vinson worked a 200-yard stretch of water for most of the final day.
Covering water with a spinnerbait, he needed a little time for the water to heat up before the bite really turned on.
Covering water with a spinnerbait, he needed a little time for the water to heat up before the bite really turned on.
After finding fish with his spinnerbait, Vinson slowed down and worked soft plastics to specific targets.
After finding fish with his spinnerbait, Vinson slowed down and worked soft plastics to specific targets.
Sightfishing came into play on Sunday as the water warmed and fish moved toward spawning beds.
Sightfishing came into play on Sunday as the water warmed and fish moved toward spawning beds.
Another small keeper comes over the gunwale.
Another small keeper comes over the gunwale.
With a better fish on the hook, Vinson hauls it around the front of his boat.
With a better fish on the hook, Vinson hauls it around the front of his boat.
Vinson was looking for bigger bites but took what he could get under relatively tough conditions on Day Three.
Vinson was looking for bigger bites but took what he could get under relatively tough conditions on Day Three.
<p> Vinson strikes hard and fast.</p>
Vinson strikes hard and fast.
It's a losing battle for this fish.
It’s a losing battle for this fish.
The quality increased as Day Three progressed.
The quality increased as Day Three progressed.
Show us that fish, Greg.
Show us that fish, Greg.
Stumps dotted the small backwater in the back of Little Monkey on the lower end of Pool 4.
Stumps dotted the small backwater in the back of Little Monkey on the lower end of Pool 4.
Bass were stacking up in Vinson's hole as wind pushed against the bank.
Bass were stacking up in Vinson’s hole as wind pushed against the bank.
With a better fish on the line, Vinson cautiously plays it to the side of the boat.
With a better fish on the line, Vinson cautiously plays it to the side of the boat.
Every fish counts when you're looking for a limit on Day Three of the Classic.
Every fish counts when you’re looking for a limit on Day Three of the Classic.
Big stumps can harbor big bass.
Big stumps can harbor big bass.
This fish helped more than some of Vinson's earlier keepers.
This fish helped more than some of Vinson’s earlier keepers.
<p> Greg Vinson yanked on the fish later in the day, bringing in a 13-pound, 7-ounce bag for the day.</p>
Greg Vinson yanked on the fish later in the day, bringing in a 13-pound, 7-ounce bag for the day.
<p> Breaking out the culling beam, Vinson eyeballs these two. His total weight for the tournament would be 47-15, falling 3-7 behind winner Chris Lane.</p>
Breaking out the culling beam, Vinson eyeballs these two. His total weight for the tournament would be 47-15, falling 3-7 behind winner Chris Lane.
<p> After a short stop in his first hole he moves just up the bank where he will spend the rest of his time.</p>
After a short stop in his first hole he moves just up the bank where he will spend the rest of his time.
<p> Bobby Lane moves within eyesight of Vinson trying to move up in the standings.</p>
Bobby Lane moves within eyesight of Vinson trying to move up in the standings.
<p> Vinson brings another bass in the boat.</p>
Vinson brings another bass in the boat.
<p> Another bass at the home place.</p>
Another bass at the home place.
<p> With the fishing time winds down Vinson keeps catching fish.</p>
With the fishing time winds down Vinson keeps catching fish.
<p> Vinson reaches for another bass.</p>
Vinson reaches for another bass.
<p> Greg Vinson yanked on the fish later in the day.</p>
Greg Vinson yanked on the fish later in the day.