Bassmaster Classic 2013: Top Contenders Heading into Day 3

The 2013 Bassmaster Classic is in its final day of competition and there are some top contenders who are primed to take home the crown on Sunday.

After two days, Cliff Pace is at the top of the leaderboard and well ahead of the pack, followed by Brandon Palaniuk and Michael Iaconelli.

Other anglers such as Hank Cherry, Jason Christie and Kevin VanDam all have an outside chance to make a run at first place on Day 3.

Let's take a look at the top contenders and how they got here.

Cliff Pace, Leader: 43 Pounds, 4 Ounces (10 Fish)

Pace has been the most consistent angler after the first two days of the Bassmaster Classic and that has enabled him to grab a huge lead.

On the first day, Pace reeled in five that totaled a weight of 21 pounds and eight ounces. On Day 2, Pace topped his original total by catching five fish for a grand total of 21 pounds and 12 ounces.

Overall, Pace has reeled in 43 pounds and four ounces, putting him ahead of the next nearest competitor by seven pounds. He is no doubt the favorite to win this tournament and it'll take a lot of work for anyone to catch him.

Brandon Palaniuk, 2nd Place: 36 Pounds, 4 Ounces (10 Fish)

Palaniuk has his work cut out for him going into the final day of the Bassmaster Classic. As it stands now, he trails Pace by seven pounds despite the fact that he's caught the same amount of fish.

If not for a bad start on Day 1, Palaniuk would have a much better shot. He caught five fish on the opening day that totaled a lackluster 16 pounds and 10 ounces, but Palaniuk would recover nicely on Day 2 after reeling in another five fish for 19 pounds and 10 ounces.

His Day 2 totals have no doubt put him back in the race, but he'll need an epic showing on Day 3 and a bad one by the leader if he hopes to eclipse Pace.

Michael Iaconelli, 3rd Place: 35 Pounds, 3 Ounces (10 Fish)

Interestingly enough, Iaconelli was tied for the lead after Day 1, but a poor performance on Day 2 has set him back.

Iaconelli finished tied with the top total after the opening day after he caught five fish that totaled 21 pounds and eight ounces, but he allowed Pace to pull well ahead of him after pulling in five more fish for an abysmal total of 13 pounds and 11 ounces.

He sits in third at the moment as he trails Palaniuk by just a little over one pound, but Iaconelli is well behind the leader with over eight pounds to make up on the last day.