St. Johns Day 2 from the air

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Down south, the party was on at Rodman Reservoir, Lake George and elsewhere on the southern border of the tournament waters. Meanwhile, other anglers stuck it out in the canals of Dunn’s Creek, and into Crescent Lake and the St. Johns River south of Palatka.
Down south, the party was on at Rodman Reservoir, Lake George and elsewhere on the southern border of the tournament waters. Meanwhile, other anglers stuck it out in the canals of Dunn’s Creek, and into Crescent Lake and the St. Johns River south of Palatka.
In Crescent, a snowbird angler and Jay Yelas converse about the old days of the sport.
In Crescent, a snowbird angler and Jay Yelas converse about the old days of the sport.
Yelas fishes this sandbar off the shoreline with no success. Previously, he started the day nearby, fishing the shoreline featuring laydown trees, cypress and isolated lily pads and vegetation.
Yelas fishes this sandbar off the shoreline with no success. Previously, he started the day nearby, fishing the shoreline featuring laydown trees, cypress and isolated lily pads and vegetation.
With no luck along the shoreline, or the sandbar, Yelas heads off to the southern end of the lake, where coincidentally Mark Menendez is fishing.
With no luck along the shoreline, or the sandbar, Yelas heads off to the southern end of the lake, where coincidentally Mark Menendez is fishing.
Not to be left out, Jake Whitaker arrives in Crescent, where he sets up a troll in small pockets along the shoreline.
Not to be left out, Jake Whitaker arrives in Crescent, where he sets up a troll in small pockets along the shoreline.
Crescent, and elsewhere in this part of the river, has cypress trees with knees and extended roots that provide ideal bass habitat.
Crescent, and elsewhere in this part of the river, has cypress trees with knees and extended roots that provide ideal bass habitat.
Whitaker gives it up, choosing to peel out and around to a nearby creek channel.
Whitaker gives it up, choosing to peel out and around to a nearby creek channel.
Stretching between the U.S. Hwy. 17 bridge and the entrance to Crescent is Dunn’s Creek, it’s canals and old fish camps providing a glimpse of “old Florida.”
Stretching between the U.S. Hwy. 17 bridge and the entrance to Crescent is Dunn’s Creek, it’s canals and old fish camps providing a glimpse of “old Florida.”
These fish camps and docks are legendary for producing quality catches of largemouth.
These fish camps and docks are legendary for producing quality catches of largemouth.
An unidentified competitor tries his luck on the docks.
An unidentified competitor tries his luck on the docks.
This canal stretches far off Dunn’s Creek, providing plenty of opportunities.
This canal stretches far off Dunn’s Creek, providing plenty of opportunities.
The canals are at their best during sunny conditions, when the bass use the docks as ambush points.
The canals are at their best during sunny conditions, when the bass use the docks as ambush points.
Back out on the river, and behind an island, is Jamie Hartman.
Back out on the river, and behind an island, is Jamie Hartman.
Hartman is using one of his favorite tactics.
Hartman is using one of his favorite tactics.
That tactic is using a punch rig to coax largemouth from isolated patches of lily pads.
That tactic is using a punch rig to coax largemouth from isolated patches of lily pads.
Hartman plows his way along a stretch that is located near the river channel.
Hartman plows his way along a stretch that is located near the river channel.
In the background, the St. Johns River meanders toward Palatka.
In the background, the St. Johns River meanders toward Palatka.
Closer to town is Clent Davis, taking advantage of the current-driven bite along a stretch of lily pads.
Closer to town is Clent Davis, taking advantage of the current-driven bite along a stretch of lily pads.
A key draw of this stretch are the hidden shell beds that hold big bass.
A key draw of this stretch are the hidden shell beds that hold big bass.
Davis is flipping and pitching along the shoreline.
Davis is flipping and pitching along the shoreline.
Laydowns are worth an extended stop.
Laydowns are worth an extended stop.
When this photo was taken, in his livewell was 19 pounds, 14 ounces of largemouth.
When this photo was taken, in his livewell was 19 pounds, 14 ounces of largemouth.
The catch was anchored by a 6-pounder.
The catch was anchored by a 6-pounder.
The narrow river has a strong current in this area, which is ideal for Davis’ tactic.
The narrow river has a strong current in this area, which is ideal for Davis’ tactic.
Davis is headed for more bass-rich habitat, this in the form of a lily pad field on a creek channel bend.
Davis is headed for more bass-rich habitat, this in the form of a lily pad field on a creek channel bend.
Davis keys on isolated habitat, this time in the form of more laydowns.
Davis keys on isolated habitat, this time in the form of more laydowns.
And then he moves to the opposite side of the river to hit the pads.
And then he moves to the opposite side of the river to hit the pads.