Where Martens found the blackbird pattern

On Day 4, Aaron Martens found a unique pattern flipping into the tules grass.

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On Day 4, Aaron Martens started to flip the tules grass.
On Day 4, Aaron Martens started to flip the tules grass.
What hides in the tules jungle?
What hides in the tules jungle?
Let's find out.
Let’s find out.
Flippin’ some heavy, heavy cover!
Flippin’ some heavy, heavy cover!
Martens is getting serious ... it's time to catch ‘em!
Martens is getting serious … it’s time to catch ‘em!
At this point, Martens still didn’t have much of a bag, but he stayed focused.
At this point, Martens still didn’t have much of a bag, but he stayed focused.
Martens is flippin’ and hoping for a big bite.
Martens is flippin’ and hoping for a big bite.
A few flips later Aaron sets the hook. This time it’s a good fish.
A few flips later Aaron sets the hook. This time it’s a good fish.
He pulls the bass out of the tules.
He pulls the bass out of the tules.
Stay on and come on.
Stay on and come on.
...
…
Almost in the boat...
Almost in the boat…
Got her!
Got her!
Guys, that's a four-pounder!
Guys, that’s a four-pounder!
Martens holds the largemouth up to show the video camera.
Martens holds the largemouth up to show the video camera.
Awhile later, Aaron explained that he was fishing “the blackbird pattern,” which consisted of looking for tules with birds nesting on the fallen tules mattes. “Sometimes the birds fall in the water and the fish eat them,” he said.
Awhile later, Aaron explained that he was fishing “the blackbird pattern,” which consisted of looking for tules with birds nesting on the fallen tules mattes. “Sometimes the birds fall in the water and the fish eat them,” he said.
These birds popped out of the tules right after Martens caught his 4-pounder.
These birds popped out of the tules right after Martens caught his 4-pounder.
Aaron flips the areas with the most birds.
Aaron flips the areas with the most birds.
Martens' spot seen from afar.
Martens’ spot seen from afar.
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With only an hour left to fish, Aaron doesn’t give up and works right until the last minute.
With only an hour left to fish, Aaron doesn’t give up and works right until the last minute.
In the end, this tactic brought the Elite victory home for Martens.
In the end, this tactic brought the Elite victory home for Martens.