Houston, TX — There’s an insider saying that goes, “You can’t win the Classic on the first day, but you can lose it.”
Apparently, Jordan Lee never heard the expression before.
In the first round, Lee didn’t even manage to weigh in a limit, bringing only 3 fish and 8 pounds 6 ounces to the scales. Prevailing wisdom would have been to count the young Alabama native out.
Results improved, though not to picture perfection on Saturday. Lee still didn’t manage a five-fish limit, but the four bass he brought along with him weighed in at 21 pounds even. It was good enough to crack the top 15, and earn a slot fishing the final day.
The fishing gods decided to curse (or bless) Jordan with engine trouble, which put him on a hard-bottom point he found during practice. The same spot didn’t do a thing for him on day one, but on the final day, he was able to coax 27 pounds, 4 ounces of Conroe bass into the boat. He then hitched a ride back with a spectator to weigh in (which is legal, since no fishing occurred from the fan’s boat).
Pushing his three day total to 55 pounds, 1 ounce, Lee would ultimately hoist the trophy.
Lee mainly threw a football jig with a Rage craw, Strike King 5XD crank, and Bullworm on a shaky head. The magic bait on the final day was the craw.
Brent Ehrler led both of the first two days, even bringing in the big bass of the tournament at 9 pounds, 12 ounces, but only managed 11 pounds, 10 ounces on the final day. He would ultimately finish in third place.
Auburn Alabama resident Steve Kennedy finished in second place with a three-day total of 55 pounds, 1 ounce.
Along with the most prestigious prize in fishing, Jordan Lee is cashing a $300,000 check. Just a few short years ago he was fishing the college circuit. It’s pretty safe to say we expect big things from Lee in the coming years.