Lowen’s Championship Sunday

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An Osprey turns its attention to a flotilla of boats motoring down the river, as Bill Lowen turns off the river and heads to Dogue Creek.
An Osprey turns its attention to a flotilla of boats motoring down the river, as Bill Lowen turns off the river and heads to Dogue Creek.
Lowen started the day in second place, almost 6 pounds behind Justin Lucas. Almost all of his fish have been caught really shallow and for the first time all week he had spectator boats following him. There were eight behind him, most out of the frame of this photo.
Lowen started the day in second place, almost 6 pounds behind Justin Lucas. Almost all of his fish have been caught really shallow and for the first time all week he had spectator boats following him. There were eight behind him, most out of the frame of this photo.
Lowen would stop short of his creek, fishing a marina.
Lowen would stop short of his creek, fishing a marina.
During the previous three days, this would be one of Edwin Evers’ spots and Lowen had left it alone. With Evers out of the field, he could finally fish it.
During the previous three days, this would be one of Edwin Evers’ spots and Lowen had left it alone. With Evers out of the field, he could finally fish it.
After 30 minutes or so, he would hook up on one of the dock pilings.
After 30 minutes or so, he would hook up on one of the dock pilings.
It would be a good start on a day where he would need his heaviest weight of the event.
It would be a good start on a day where he would need his heaviest weight of the event.
For a second, it would take half of Lucas’ lead from him, but almost at the same time Lucas would catch his first keeper.
For a second, it would take half of Lucas’ lead from him, but almost at the same time Lucas would catch his first keeper.
Lowen considered the fish a bonus and his start boded well.
Lowen considered the fish a bonus and his start boded well.
He would pitch and cast to wood cover in the dock area and creek channel with a creature bait that had been discontinued by Tightlines UV.
He would pitch and cast to wood cover in the dock area and creek channel with a creature bait that had been discontinued by Tightlines UV.
Somewhere under there is a cameraman trying to get some shade in the heat of the morning.
Somewhere under there is a cameraman trying to get some shade in the heat of the morning.
Lowen’s second bite would be from a snakehead.
Lowen’s second bite would be from a snakehead.
The disgust was evident on Lowen’s face.
The disgust was evident on Lowen’s face.
But a few minutes later he would reel in his second keeper.
But a few minutes later he would reel in his second keeper.
Like the first, it was a solid keeper, but not of the size he would eventually need.
Like the first, it was a solid keeper, but not of the size he would eventually need.
He would eventually make it to what he referred to as his “magic tree.” The tree had produced several of his keepers in this event, including three of his largest.
He would eventually make it to what he referred to as his “magic tree.” The tree had produced several of his keepers in this event, including three of his largest.
The tree would serve up his third keeper on Day 4, but not quite the size of previous days.
The tree would serve up his third keeper on Day 4, but not quite the size of previous days.
He would get his fourth keeper about 40 yards away, but again it would lack the size.
He would get his fourth keeper about 40 yards away, but again it would lack the size.
And a few yards later, he would finish his limit.
And a few yards later, he would finish his limit.
This fish would give him about 10 pounds.
This fish would give him about 10 pounds.
But by this time, Lucas had built a limit weighing about 16 pounds at the time.
But by this time, Lucas had built a limit weighing about 16 pounds at the time.
While Lowen didn’t know he was way behind, he knew he had to catch bigger fish.
While Lowen didn’t know he was way behind, he knew he had to catch bigger fish.
He continued fishing up the creek, but was unable to add to his total.
He continued fishing up the creek, but was unable to add to his total.
On the trip back, though, he did get a bite that sent him scurrying to the back of the boat.
On the trip back, though, he did get a bite that sent him scurrying to the back of the boat.
It was obvious this wasn’t one of the basic 2-pound to 3-pound class fish that had bit so far.
It was obvious this wasn’t one of the basic 2-pound to 3-pound class fish that had bit so far.
Lowen hit the seat as the fish floundered.
Lowen hit the seat as the fish floundered.
For a moment, it looked as if the fish would come quietly to Lowen’s hand.
For a moment, it looked as if the fish would come quietly to Lowen’s hand.
But just as the fish almost came to grasp, it lifted its head.
But just as the fish almost came to grasp, it lifted its head.
And decided it had some more fight in him.
And decided it had some more fight in him.
The fish also gave us a good look at its size.
The fish also gave us a good look at its size.
As it flopped across the surface.
As it flopped across the surface.
Once the fish was done, Lowen made a stab for it.
Once the fish was done, Lowen made a stab for it.
And brought up his biggest fish of the day.
And brought up his biggest fish of the day.
He gave a little fist pump as he showed it off.
He gave a little fist pump as he showed it off.
And a few minutes later would hook up with another keeper.
And a few minutes later would hook up with another keeper.
This one would be similar to some of the earlier fish.
This one would be similar to some of the earlier fish.
But big enough to give him a good cull and approximately 14 to 15 pounds in his livewell.
But big enough to give him a good cull and approximately 14 to 15 pounds in his livewell.
At low tide, Lowen would leave Dogue Creek looking to find bigger fish to at least maintain his position near the top of the standings.
At low tide, Lowen would leave Dogue Creek looking to find bigger fish to at least maintain his position near the top of the standings.