Wings over St. Johns

The pros share their waters and fish with an osprey on Day 3 of the Bassmaster Elite Series at St. Johns River.

Posted on
Ott DeFoe bundled up not from the cold, but avoiding the sun on Day 3 of the Bassmaster Elite on St. Johns River.
Ott DeFoe bundled up not from the cold, but avoiding the sun on Day 3 of the Bassmaster Elite on St. Johns River.
Pete Ponds (left) and Kenyon Martin share some water on the west side of Lake George.
Pete Ponds (left) and Kenyon Martin share some water on the west side of Lake George.
Steve Kennedy is also in the area. He remarked it was a waste of time. Our time in the area that proved true.
Steve Kennedy is also in the area. He remarked it was a waste of time. Our time in the area that proved true.
Kenyon Hill was in good spirits though, and worked the beds around us.
Kenyon Hill was in good spirits though, and worked the beds around us.
Jared Miller is wrapped up like DeFoe.
Jared Miller is wrapped up like DeFoe.
Jamie Horton shows up in the area as we prepare to move on.
Jamie Horton shows up in the area as we prepare to move on.
“Big Show” Terry Scroggins heads south in Lake George.
“Big Show” Terry Scroggins heads south in Lake George.
We find Dean Rojas on the west side of Drayton Island.
We find Dean Rojas on the west side of Drayton Island.
Dean has a plan. Hide in the weeds…
Dean has a plan. Hide in the weeds…
…be very quiet…
…be very quiet…
…and catch a bass. Not the one he was wanting, but he’ll take it.
…and catch a bass. Not the one he was wanting, but he’ll take it.
As Dean moved on we prepared to follow. This osprey treated us to the most dramatic catch we saw all day.
As Dean moved on we prepared to follow. This osprey treated us to the most dramatic catch we saw all day.
The osprey let us know the show’s over and it’s time to find some more action.
The osprey let us know the show’s over and it’s time to find some more action.
We find Davy Hite on the other side of the island.
We find Davy Hite on the other side of the island.
Gerald Swindle runs by. He’s at a respectful distance to Hite.
Gerald Swindle runs by. He’s at a respectful distance to Hite.
Hite is trying to be very quiet and not disturb his prey. He pushpoles to create the least amount of disturbance.
Hite is trying to be very quiet and not disturb his prey. He pushpoles to create the least amount of disturbance.
As Davy creeps closer, a local fisherman buzzes by his boat, despite Davy trying to wave him off. Davy is not particularly pleased with this.
As Davy creeps closer, a local fisherman buzzes by his boat, despite Davy trying to wave him off. Davy is not particularly pleased with this.
Davy gets back to work, hoping the disturbance didn't spook the bass.
Davy gets back to work, hoping the disturbance didn’t spook the bass.
It doesn’t take long for Hite to have a bite.
It doesn’t take long for Hite to have a bite.
He doesn’t get hooked up here, though.
He doesn’t get hooked up here, though.
He caught an 8-pounder later, but not while we were watching.
He caught an 8-pounder later, but not while we were watching.