Mullins’ furious morning flurry

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David Mullins went into Championship Sunday in third place, just less than 2 pounds out of the lead. He headed straight for Banana Bay, which has been a major focus of the Elite Series field this week. He began cranking the scattered hydrilla growing around shell beds.
David Mullins went into Championship Sunday in third place, just less than 2 pounds out of the lead. He headed straight for Banana Bay, which has been a major focus of the Elite Series field this week. He began cranking the scattered hydrilla growing around shell beds.
Day 3 leader Ray Hanselman was fishing right next to Mullins, and was the first to score. It wasn’t a big bass, but it went in the livewell to break the ice on his day.
Day 3 leader Ray Hanselman was fishing right next to Mullins, and was the first to score. It wasn’t a big bass, but it went in the livewell to break the ice on his day.
Hanselman and Mullins began the day fishing less than a cast from each other. Both were cranking the underwater cover.
Hanselman and Mullins began the day fishing less than a cast from each other. Both were cranking the underwater cover.
Mullins finally put down his cranking rod and picked up a worm to bump along on the bottom.
Mullins finally put down his cranking rod and picked up a worm to bump along on the bottom.
The lure change resulted in a quick bit, a keeper bass that was soon swimming in Mullins’ livewell.
The lure change resulted in a quick bit, a keeper bass that was soon swimming in Mullins’ livewell.
Mullins stuck with the soft plastic, slowly bumping it through the hydrilla and over the shell beds.
Mullins stuck with the soft plastic, slowly bumping it through the hydrilla and over the shell beds.
The morning quickly turned into the Dave Mullins show, with another bite that pushed closer to the lead.
The morning quickly turned into the Dave Mullins show, with another bite that pushed closer to the lead.
Another cast of the worm resulted in another hook set. This bass filled out his limit, and bumped him into the early lead, according to BASSTrakk.
Another cast of the worm resulted in another hook set. This bass filled out his limit, and bumped him into the early lead, according to BASSTrakk.
A dog and his human eased up to watch the action.
A dog and his human eased up to watch the action.
Ray Hanselman, still with just one bass in the boat, ran to the other side of Banana Bay.
Ray Hanselman, still with just one bass in the boat, ran to the other side of Banana Bay.
Mullins would pick up his crank bait periodically to see if the bass would fall for it.
Mullins would pick up his crank bait periodically to see if the bass would fall for it.
He finally hooked up with a bass on the crank bait., but it didn’t help his limit and was quickly released.
He finally hooked up with a bass on the crank bait., but it didn’t help his limit and was quickly released.
Local anglers paid close attention to what Mullins was doing to get his bites.
Local anglers paid close attention to what Mullins was doing to get his bites.
Even a seaplane pilot made a pass-over to get a look at what was going on.
Even a seaplane pilot made a pass-over to get a look at what was going on.
Mullins just circled the same patch of water, and quickly went back to his soft-plastic bait.
Mullins just circled the same patch of water, and quickly went back to his soft-plastic bait.
And quickly hooked up with a bass that allowed him to cull up just a bit.
And quickly hooked up with a bass that allowed him to cull up just a bit.