Day 1 with Martens and Powroznik

Come out on the water to see AOY front runners battle it out at the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Championship.

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Aaron Martens arrives on Day 1 of the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Championship with his trusty drop-shot.
Aaron Martens arrives on Day 1 of the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Championship with his trusty drop-shot.
The composition of a cast...
The composition of a cast…
...
…
...
…
Aaron Martens loads up another cast.
Aaron Martens loads up another cast.
Like Aaron is with everything, he precisely adjusts the speed of his trolling motor by hand to 2.4 units of speed/time frame. Not sure exactly what those figures are.
Like Aaron is with everything, he precisely adjusts the speed of his trolling motor by hand to 2.4 units of speed/time frame. Not sure exactly what those figures are.
Aaron continues to fire away with nothing to show for his relentless casting so far.
Aaron continues to fire away with nothing to show for his relentless casting so far.
Another shot.
Another shot.
Aaron's line is so small that it disappears in plain sight leaving only a little moisture in the air.
Aaron’s line is so small that it disappears in plain sight leaving only a little moisture in the air.
One of the best in the business with electronics, Martens tweaks his unit.
One of the best in the business with electronics, Martens tweaks his unit.
Matt Herren on the move.
Matt Herren on the move.
Aaron unloads the locker.
Aaron unloads the locker.
Marty Robinson works a point nearby.
Marty Robinson works a point nearby.
Randall Tharp fires away.
Randall Tharp fires away.
Hammer-time for the Honey Badger.
Hammer-time for the Honey Badger.
A solid smallmouth gives it his best.
A solid smallmouth gives it his best.
Eventually, Tharp wins the battle.
Eventually, Tharp wins the battle.
That one didn't keep, time to look for another one.
That one didn’t keep, time to look for another one.
Tharp has 4 in the boat at this point.
Tharp has 4 in the boat at this point.
Tharp and Martens cross paths and compare notes.
Tharp and Martens cross paths and compare notes.
As Tharp eases by Aaron hooks up.
As Tharp eases by Aaron hooks up.
A big smallmouth rears its ugly head.
A big smallmouth rears its ugly head.
This ones a fighter, as they all seem to be.
This ones a fighter, as they all seem to be.
The fight continues.
The fight continues.
The fish makes a run.
The fish makes a run.
Time to head to the back.
Time to head to the back.
Aaron moves back to the front of the boat, seemingly ignoring the bass at the back.
Aaron moves back to the front of the boat, seemingly ignoring the bass at the back.
The bass does not like being ignored.
The bass does not like being ignored.
The battle continues on as Aaron nonchalantly looks back.
The battle continues on as Aaron nonchalantly looks back.
Time to go for the grab.
Time to go for the grab.
Number 1 is a nice one.
Number 1 is a nice one.
Check this out.
Check this out.
Number 1 in the well.
Number 1 in the well.
Aaron hooks up with another nice smallmouth.
Aaron hooks up with another nice smallmouth.
Cameraman Rick Mason works to get the right angle.
Cameraman Rick Mason works to get the right angle.
Time to jump.
Time to jump.
The fish makes a run.
The fish makes a run.
Aaron eases the fish closer as it starts to break the surface.
Aaron eases the fish closer as it starts to break the surface.
Come here....
Come here….
Gotcha.
Gotcha.
Number 2 is even better.
Number 2 is even better.
Aaron is figuring them out.
Aaron is figuring them out.
Jacob Powroznik picks up and makes a move. He's off to a solid start so we follow along.
Jacob Powroznik picks up and makes a move. He’s off to a solid start so we follow along.
Powroznik loads up with what could be number 5.
Powroznik loads up with what could be number 5.
This one's digging in.
This one’s digging in.
A nice smallmouth emerges.
A nice smallmouth emerges.
'Get over here...'
‘Get over here…’
'Don't do that...'
‘Don’t do that…’
'Don't you do that!'
‘Don’t you do that!’
“These smallmouth never give up,” Powroznik exclaims.
Gotcha.
Gotcha.
In the well and that's over 20 pounds for Jacob Powroznik.
In the well and that’s over 20 pounds for Jacob Powroznik.
Give me some of that.
Give me some of that.
Powroznik shows off a couple nice ones.
Powroznik shows off a couple nice ones.
Powroznik flags Cliff Crochet over and hands him the baits that are working.
Powroznik flags Cliff Crochet over and hands him the baits that are working.
Powroznik even goes as far as tying on Crochet's leader line for him. Now that's true friendship when you can trust another angler to tie your knots. Apparently Powroznik owed Crochet one and he paid up big time.
Powroznik even goes as far as tying on Crochet’s leader line for him. Now that’s true friendship when you can trust another angler to tie your knots. Apparently Powroznik owed Crochet one and he paid up big time.
Marty Robinson on the move.
Marty Robinson on the move.