Elites go whitewater bassin’

Our photographers tracked down a handful of adventurous Elite Series pros as they seined the rapids of the Coosa River below Jordan Dam for spotted bass.

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Lake Jordan Dam spills water out into the Coosa River, providing new water for the Elite anglers to fish.
Lake Jordan Dam spills water out into the Coosa River, providing new water for the Elite anglers to fish.
Keith Poche gets personal with the water, getting close to big rocks and fishing eddies.
Keith Poche gets personal with the water, getting close to big rocks and fishing eddies.
Jared Miller is nearby in the eddy.
Jared Miller is nearby in the eddy.
And just down from them is Steve Kennedy fishing under a sign that warns the anglers what they are getting into.
And just down from them is Steve Kennedy fishing under a sign that warns the anglers what they are getting into.
The rough waters are a haven for feeding spotted bass to locate and ambush shad as they are pushed over the dam.
The rough waters are a haven for feeding spotted bass to locate and ambush shad as they are pushed over the dam.
All around the area, signs warn anglers of the dangers.
All around the area, signs warn anglers of the dangers.
Kennedy fishes a set of trees that would normally be on dry ground.
Kennedy fishes a set of trees that would normally be on dry ground.
Keith Poche decides to head to less turbulent waters.
Keith Poche decides to head to less turbulent waters.
To get there, though, he has to ride through the rapids.
To get there, though, he has to ride through the rapids.
There are times when the crashing waves totally cover him.
There are times when the crashing waves totally cover him.
<p>The Elite anglers weren't the only fishermen in the area.</p>
The Elite anglers weren’t the only fishermen in the area.
Jared Miller uses his Power Poles to help him stay near the eddies.
Jared Miller uses his Power Poles to help him stay near the eddies.
Kennedy ventures out of the trees to look for more productive areas.
Kennedy ventures out of the trees to look for more productive areas.
Downriver, Brent Chapman works his way upstream.
Downriver, Brent Chapman works his way upstream.
At times, he has to idle up to his spot keeping his trolling motor down in the process.
At times, he has to idle up to his spot keeping his trolling motor down in the process.
Miller is the last angler standing in the rushing water.
Miller is the last angler standing in the rushing water.
Chapman casts his spinnerbait toward the bank.
Chapman casts his spinnerbait toward the bank.
Then turns and casts downriver.
Then turns and casts downriver.
The turbulent waters create an imposing scene with an angler standing in front of it.
The turbulent waters create an imposing scene with an angler standing in front of it.
Downriver, Kennedy pitches to eddies along the bank.
Downriver, Kennedy pitches to eddies along the bank.
He hooks up with a bass and hits the seat to land it.
He hooks up with a bass and hits the seat to land it.
The fish makes a jump.
The fish makes a jump.
But Kennedy is able to get it in the boat.
But Kennedy is able to get it in the boat.
Farther downstream, Derek Remitz works a bluff bank.
Farther downstream, Derek Remitz works a bluff bank.
Straight across from Kennedy, 12-year old Shane McGinty casts into the rapids.
Straight across from Kennedy, 12-year old Shane McGinty casts into the rapids.
McGinty had been sick that morning so he missed school, but after a couple of hours he felt well enough to go fishing with his grandfather and sister.
McGinty had been sick that morning so he missed school, but after a couple of hours he felt well enough to go fishing with his grandfather and sister.
Kennedy continues to pitch to targets on the Coosa River.
Kennedy continues to pitch to targets on the Coosa River.