Powroznik Rallies for Win in Bass Pro Tour Favorite Fishing Stage Three Raleigh presented by Evinrude.

Wheeler 2nd, Omori 3rd. 

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Jacob's change from sight fishing to casting secured win!
(Photo: MLF)

When it all comes down to it, the Major League Fishing® (MLF) format has always been about identifying fishing conditions on the fly, and making the right adjustments as those conditions change.

MLF pro Jacob Powroznik learned enough from the first fish he saw on Championship Sunday to tell him all he needed to know. That fish, which rolled on a floating worm in the first pocket that the Virginia pro fished on Shearon Harris Reservoir, clued Powroznik in that the lake's largemouth were in extremely shallow water and spawning.

Powroznik didn't catch that fish, but it caused him to pick up a wacky-rigged 5-inch V&M Chopstick and start fishing for spawners. It was the right decision: Powroznik connected with 20 fish for 63 pounds, 4 ounces to earn a shiny new red-and-silver trophy and the $100,000 first-place check at the Bass Pro Tour Favorite Fishing Stage Three Raleigh presented by Evinrude.

"I saw that fish swim over on that floating worm, and I knew right then fish were spawning," Powroznik said. "They were really shallow, and I picked that wacky-worm up right then and didn't take it out of my hand the rest of the day."

 

From sight fishing to casting

Powroznik, one of the most skilled sight-fishermen in the field, dedicated some time early in the day to bedding fish, but then pulled off the beds and started casting to shallow water when mid-day clouds spoiled the visibility. That, too, proved to be a key decision.

2017 BASS Elite Lake Okeechobee Day 3: Timmy Horton Remains in Lead with 71-14lbs.

Horton hanging on. 

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After losing a 9-pound bass to start his morning, Tim Horton of Muscle Shoals, Ala., kept his composure and weighed 15 pounds, 11 ounces to keep a tight grip on the lead at the A.R.E. Truck Caps Bassmaster Elite at Lake Okeechobee.

Horton's three-day total was pushed to 71-14, which is more than 8 pounds ahead of second place — Ott DeFoe of Knoxville, Tenn.

Leaders struggle as Big O stayed calm.
(Photo: BASS)

Horton, who is hoping to win his fifth Bassmaster title, said it was a heartbreaking moment, and it wasn't the only big bass he lost during Saturday's competition.

"I had a perfect day on Friday, I didn't lose a single fish," Horton explained. "I knew I was bound to mess something up, and I did today. Twice. When you're in contention to win one of these tournaments, mistakes like that can cost you big time. I lost that big one early, then I dumped another 5-pounder around midday."

Horton's misfortune, while painful, didn't last long.

"I had two minutes to go and I caught a 5-13, which culled out a 13-ounce bass I had been trying to get rid of all day," he said. "I made it to check-in with one minute to spare. I'm so thankful I was able to catch that big fish late in the day. It gave me a much needed boost in confidence to start the final day, and that always helps."