Kreiger’s Day 3 on Niagara River

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Koby Kreiger began Day 3 on the Niagara River looking at a long-shot chance at ousting the legendary Kevin VanDam in a head-to-head.
Koby Kreiger began Day 3 on the Niagara River looking at a long-shot chance at ousting the legendary Kevin VanDam in a head-to-head.
But, Kreiger kept his head down and focused on establishing some sort of pattern after a difficult and unproductive Day 2.
But, Kreiger kept his head down and focused on establishing some sort of pattern after a difficult and unproductive Day 2.
Kreiger did a lot of running and gunning hitting likely fish-holding structure, but struggled to catch a keeper during the morning hours.
Kreiger did a lot of running and gunning hitting likely fish-holding structure, but struggled to catch a keeper during the morning hours.
The scenic Niagara River offers lots to look at, and fish to catch.
The scenic Niagara River offers lots to look at, and fish to catch.
Kreiger cycled through a mixed bag of presentations hoping to get some sort of clue as to what the fish want.
Kreiger cycled through a mixed bag of presentations hoping to get some sort of clue as to what the fish want.
Finally, he finds fish staged along a seawall. But, are they the right fish?
Finally, he finds fish staged along a seawall. But, are they the right fish?
This one looks like it just might be Kreiger's first of the day.
This one looks like it just might be Kreiger’s first of the day.
Into the boat, but it won't measure so it's released without putting Kreiger on the board.
Into the boat, but it won’t measure so it’s released without putting Kreiger on the board.
Mine.
Mine.
MINE.
MINE.
Kreiger decides it's time for a run down the river.
Kreiger decides it’s time for a run down the river.
Hammer down to the bridge where he caught his only fish during yesterday's competition.
Hammer down to the bridge where he caught his only fish during yesterday’s competition.
Just beyond the bridge are the renowned Niagara Falls, and the town known by the same name in Ontario, Canada.
Just beyond the bridge are the renowned Niagara Falls, and the town known by the same name in Ontario, Canada.
Kreiger stops behind one of the massive bridge pilings and almost instantly hooks up.
Kreiger stops behind one of the massive bridge pilings and almost instantly hooks up.
Kreiger takes it easy hoping to put his first keeper of the day in his boat.
Kreiger takes it easy hoping to put his first keeper of the day in his boat.
And the scoop ...
And the scoop …
Count it! Krieger breaks the ice with a decent smallmouth that was caught exactly where he had expected the fish to be. This was the beginning to a flurry of action that put Kreiger back into contention.
Count it! Krieger breaks the ice with a decent smallmouth that was caught exactly where he had expected the fish to be. This was the beginning to a flurry of action that put Kreiger back into contention.
Just a few casts later, Kreiger is hooked up again.
Just a few casts later, Kreiger is hooked up again.
This one looks like it will measure ...
This one looks like it will measure …
As smallmouth are known for, boat-side acrobatics often result in disappointment, but maybe Kreiger will capitalize on this one.
As smallmouth are known for, boat-side acrobatics often result in disappointment, but maybe Kreiger will capitalize on this one.
Unwilling to give up, the smallmouth gives one last ditch effort to regain its freedom ...
Unwilling to give up, the smallmouth gives one last ditch effort to regain its freedom …
... And succeeds.
… And succeeds.
Gone.
Gone.
Kreiger needed that one. But what do you do?
Kreiger needed that one. But what do you do?
You just keep on casting. Kreiger does and hooks up again just a few minutes later.
You just keep on casting. Kreiger does and hooks up again just a few minutes later.
He takes his time getting into position hoping to add to his overall weight.
He takes his time getting into position hoping to add to his overall weight.
This one seem extra feisty.
This one seem extra feisty.
And ...
And …
Heartbreak ...
Heartbreak …
Kreiger knows he just dumped two fish that would have easily put him in position to beat VanDam. He's not happy about the last two fish ...
Kreiger knows he just dumped two fish that would have easily put him in position to beat VanDam. He’s not happy about the last two fish …
Gene Gilliliand, Kreiger's boat ref for the day shows us how big that fish was; not to add insult to injury.
Gene Gilliliand, Kreiger’s boat ref for the day shows us how big that fish was; not to add insult to injury.
Kreiger puts himself back together and only makes two casts before hooking up again. He's playing it extra safe this time.
Kreiger puts himself back together and only makes two casts before hooking up again. He’s playing it extra safe this time.
The flip.
The flip.
Not nearly as big as the last two that got away, but it'll count.
Not nearly as big as the last two that got away, but it’ll count.
The on-the-water weigh-in process takes place before the fish is immediately released.
The on-the-water weigh-in process takes place before the fish is immediately released.
Kreiger's onto something, and he knows it. This one puts him closer to VanDam.
Kreiger’s onto something, and he knows it. This one puts him closer to VanDam.
The quick action continues as he ties up again, and this one looks better than the last.
The quick action continues as he ties up again, and this one looks better than the last.
He digs deep for the scoop!
He digs deep for the scoop!
Got him!
Got him!
That one is a little better, and will add nicely to Kreiger's total weight.
That one is a little better, and will add nicely to Kreiger’s total weight.
He doesn't waste any time finding another one.
He doesn’t waste any time finding another one.
This one looks pretty good, too.
This one looks pretty good, too.
Bass in-hand. Kreiger is now putting the heat on KVD.
Bass in-hand. Kreiger is now putting the heat on KVD.
Kreiger is building his confidence, which is a priceless weapon for a tournament angler.
Kreiger is building his confidence, which is a priceless weapon for a tournament angler.
Kreiger makes a quick move, and almost immediately finds another smallmouth bass.
Kreiger makes a quick move, and almost immediately finds another smallmouth bass.
This one will help nicely.
This one will help nicely.
The fish is weighed before being registered and released.
The fish is weighed before being registered and released.
With this fish, Kreiger took the lead away from KVD, but he knows that's not enough.
With this fish, Kreiger took the lead away from KVD, but he knows that’s not enough.
Brett Hite is fishing the same bridge with a similar pattern.
Brett Hite is fishing the same bridge with a similar pattern.
The two competitors were cordial and gave each other their space.
The two competitors were cordial and gave each other their space.
Kreiger hooks up again with a fish that could strengthen his lead.
Kreiger hooks up again with a fish that could strengthen his lead.
He reaches hoping to land this fish.
He reaches hoping to land this fish.
Got it, and he knows this might be the one that wins today's bracket. He's hoping ...
Got it, and he knows this might be the one that wins today’s bracket. He’s hoping …
The solid 2 1/2-pounder puts Kreiger in greater control of his situation. Can he hold onto it?
The solid 2 1/2-pounder puts Kreiger in greater control of his situation. Can he hold onto it?
This was one impressive comeback for Kreiger, and he is pumped knowing that a Classic berth is closer to becoming a reality.
This was one impressive comeback for Kreiger, and he is pumped knowing that a Classic berth is closer to becoming a reality.
He still has work to do as KVD is closing the gap.
He still has work to do as KVD is closing the gap.
Here's a look at the bridge that Kreiger turned his day around on.
Here’s a look at the bridge that Kreiger turned his day around on.
Kreiger is hooked up again. At this point in the day, he and KVD are tied up with just minutes remaining on the clock ... This could be a game changer.
Kreiger is hooked up again. At this point in the day, he and KVD are tied up with just minutes remaining on the clock … This could be a game changer.
The fish pulls free and Kreiger is devastated ...
The fish pulls free and Kreiger is devastated …
He did nothing wrong, that's just the nature of smallmouth bass. But he knows that being tied with KVD likely means a loss if he can't find one more fish, and fast.
He did nothing wrong, that’s just the nature of smallmouth bass. But he knows that being tied with KVD likely means a loss if he can’t find one more fish, and fast.
Kreiger has only a few more minutes to find one last fish. Without it, KVD will likely win based on the tie breakers already set in place.
Kreiger has only a few more minutes to find one last fish. Without it, KVD will likely win based on the tie breakers already set in place.
Time is called and Kreiger falls short. That last fish hurt. Bad.
Time is called and Kreiger falls short. That last fish hurt. Bad.
Kreiger packs up to make the 20-minute run back to the marina.
Kreiger packs up to make the 20-minute run back to the marina.
Following a solid effort to overtake KVD, unfortunate events kept Kreiger from attaining that 2017 Classic berth, but it wasn't for a lack of trying and good decisions. Sometimes these things end in heartbreak ...
Following a solid effort to overtake KVD, unfortunate events kept Kreiger from attaining that 2017 Classic berth, but it wasn’t for a lack of trying and good decisions. Sometimes these things end in heartbreak …