Strader on the water

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We begin Day 3 with our current leader, Wesley Strader, as he makes his way down to Lake Kissimmee.
We begin Day 3 with our current leader, Wesley Strader, as he makes his way down to Lake Kissimmee.
Strader stops shy of the sweet spots to work any kinks out before game time.
Strader stops shy of the sweet spots to work any kinks out before game time.
But the bass are already ready to play.
But the bass are already ready to play.
Strader hooks into what feels like a nice fish right away.
Strader hooks into what feels like a nice fish right away.
Not sure where this one wants to go yet.
Not sure where this one wants to go yet.
The fish is hooked good on a vibrating jig…
The fish is hooked good on a vibrating jig…
… but Strader knows this one could test the line so he goes for the grab.
… but Strader knows this one could test the line so he goes for the grab.
Almost there…
Almost there…
… the fish jumps at the last second.
… the fish jumps at the last second.
Time to do a little dancing.
Time to do a little dancing.
Gotcha.
Gotcha.
A nice start to the day for Strader.
A nice start to the day for Strader.
In the box.
In the box.
A look at the vibrating jig Strader is using.
A look at the vibrating jig Strader is using.
The typically nonsensical Strader is all business this morning.
The typically nonsensical Strader is all business this morning.
The first time Strader turns to talk…
The first time Strader turns to talk…
… a fish nearly snatches the rod from his hand.
… a fish nearly snatches the rod from his hand.
This looks like another good one.
This looks like another good one.
As Strader paused his topwater prop bait, the fish inhaled it.
As Strader paused his topwater prop bait, the fish inhaled it.
Time to man your battle stations.
Time to man your battle stations.
Strader eases the fish down the side of the boat.
Strader eases the fish down the side of the boat.
There’s a lot of belly one this bass.
There’s a lot of belly one this bass.
The scoop…
The scoop…
The score!
The score!
Another quality fish in the boat for Strader.
Another quality fish in the boat for Strader.
“And we aren’t even to the good stuff yet!”
“And we aren’t even to the good stuff yet!”
Another couple casts with the top water…
Another couple casts with the top water…
and Strader boats another fish.
and Strader boats another fish.
A nice keeper.
A nice keeper.
Things are heating up early on the Kissimmee Chain today.
Things are heating up early on the Kissimmee Chain today.
Jeffrey Worth gets in on the action, but unfortunately his fish is of the wrong flavor.
Jeffrey Worth gets in on the action, but unfortunately his fish is of the wrong flavor.
Strader returns to the vibrating jig…
Strader returns to the vibrating jig…
And almost instantly puts another fish in the boat.
And almost instantly puts another fish in the boat.
A standing ovation from this cormorant.
A standing ovation from this cormorant.
Wesley pays no attention to the bird, he’s got a job to do.
Wesley pays no attention to the bird, he’s got a job to do.