2013 BASSMASTER CLASSIC Champs Day 3

By Luigi De Rose

Much will be written about Cliff Pace's exasperating last day of the Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees. He amassed two amazing 21 pounds creel on Day 1 and Day 2 of the tournament but Day 3 was a nail biter. Mathematically, many considered the Classic finished as Cliff had a 7 pound lead. Unless the world imploded around him, it was his tournament to loose. He almost lost it.

Here is a photo essay of the final day on the water with Cliff Pace. 

All photos are courtesy of BASS and kudos must be given to James Overstreet for his amazing photographic eye. 

The mild, southerly wind and clear skies forces Cliff to switch a jig from the Jackall jerk bait that was working so well the first two days. 

Cliff focused on any brush that he could find around the docks or steep banks. 

Cliff jumped from spot to spot like a mad man. He hit over 30 spots before 10:30 in the morning. The first two days, he only fished a handful of places. Sunday, he was zipping around wildly.
Many wondered if he was super focused or panicking. By noon and countless relocations, he still only had 2 bass. 

In the afternoon, he was still moving a lot and casting a jig along steep shorelines. 

Even with a 7 pound margin, many worried he lost the Classic. He only had four bass
that were much smaller than the giants he caught the day before.