Three top Auburn anglers answer fan questions

Shane Powell, Jordan Lee and Matt Lee discuss their future and their experience on the Auburn University Bass Fishing Team.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — It was a little like déjà vu when Shane Powell and Jordan Lee stood on the stage on the final day of the 2013 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Classic Bracket.

Two best friends, two teammates from Auburn’s collegiate fishing team, two anglers who want more than anything to compete in the Bassmaster Classic.

Last year, it was Matt Lee vs. Jordan Lee.

This year, it was Shane Powell vs. Jordan Lee.

In 2012, Matt Lee won. He went on to compete in the 2013 Bassmaster Classic.

In 2013, Jordan Lee won. He will compete in the 2014 Classic.

In both instances, one friend and teammate was left standing without a Classic invitation, but in full support of the winner.

Matt Lee, Jordan Lee and Shane Powell participated in a live B.A.S.S. Twitter chat yesterday. Fans asked the trio a variety of questions; read below to see what they had to say. And see photos of their visit here.

Keep up with Twitter chats, tournament news and bass fishing advice by following B.A.S.S. on Twitter at @BASS_Nation.

 

Bassmaster ‏@BASS_nation

Fans, thanks for joining us for the #basschat! @JLeefishing @wmattlee and @SPowell1124 are ready to take your questions! @AuburnBass

 

Shane Powell ‏

Glad to be here today for the #basschat! I’m ready to answer your questions.

 

Jordan Lee ‏@JLeefishing

Thank you @BASS_nation for having me! I’m glad to be here! 

 

Matt Lee ‏@wmattlee

Twitter chat has officially started, ask away! 

 

Bassmaster ‏@BASS_nation

The @auburnbass team is in the house looking forward to the  #basschat. pic.twitter.com/aPGDNRzb57

 

Logan Duckworth ‏@LoganDuck

@wmattlee if you could fish only 1 bait/lure for the rest of your life what would you choose? 

Matt Lee ‏@wmattlee

A Booyah Pad Crasher. Throwing a frog has to be my favorite way to fish! 

 

Adam Bartusek ‏@AdamBartusek

This is a question @vtbasser will want answered. Dogs or cats?

Shane Powell ‏@SPowell1124

I’ve never had a dog, so I guess I’m a cat person. I had one blind cat named Allie! 

Jordan Lee ‏@JLeefishing

Dogs. 

Matt Lee ‏@wmattlee

I’m definitely a dog person. We have a chocolate lab named Nessie that’s like a half sibling. 

 

Emily Hand ‏@ejhand

@JLeefishing What song are you going to use as your 2014 Bassmaster Classic entrance song? 

Jordan Lee ‏@JLeefishing

Not sure yet. Some type of rap song. I’m working on a few. 

 

Jennifer Dome ‏@BhamJen

@JLeefishing Do you feel more confident about the Classic because it’s on your home waters of Guntersville? 

Jordan Lee ‏@JLeefishing

Yes, I do. I’ve spent a lot of time on that lake. It’s definitely not a foreign water to me in February. 

 

Tyler Reed ‏@twreed

Matt, what has the last year taught you that you can pass on to @JLeefishing and @SPowell1124

Matt Lee ‏@wmattlee

Cherish every moment. Even though it’s cliche, it’s also very true. 

 

Justin Atkins ‏@JATKINSFISHING

@JLeefishing would you rather catch bass on a padcrasher frog or a big weight? 

Jordan Lee ‏@JLeefishing

My favorite way to catch them is on a big weight, out of the back of your Z20. 

 

Justin Atkins ‏@JATKINSFISHING

@SPowell1124 I still have your net, any chance I can get it autographed? 

Shane Powell ‏@SPowell1124

Absolutely. 

 

Cara Clark ‏@caradclark

When is the first scouting mission to Guntersville? @JLeefishing

Jordan Lee ‏@JLeefishing

I fish there about every weekend – no matter what. 

I can’t really have a strategy. A lot in this tournament will have to do w/ the weather & how far along the fish are. 

Matt Lee ‏@wmattlee

I’m scouting tomorrow but @JLeefishing isn’t going to ask me where to fish! 

 

Hammer Fishing Rods ‏@HammerRods

Did any of you have the opportunity to compete in high school? 

Shane Powell ‏@SPowell1124

Not on a team but fished weekend series, BFLs and club tournaments. 

Matt Lee ‏@wmattlee

I played baseball, my brother fished on the junior team. I think he had a big advantage because of that. 

Jordan Lee ‏@JLeefishing

When I was in 9th and 10th grade, I fished a junior club. We didn’t have a high school team.

 

chris ‏@ditchell

I am home sick so please offer a War Eagle to all present. 

Shane Powell ‏@SPowell1124

War Eagle, buddy! 

Jordan Lee ‏@JLeefishing

War Eagle, man! 

Matt Lee ‏@wmattlee

You’re not sick (from the girls at the office!). War Eagle! 

 

Matt Hand ‏@mhand334

@wmattlee @JLeefishing  What’s the best fishing method is to catch 5+ pounders on Jordan and Mitchell? 

Matt Lee ‏@wmattlee

It varies between lakes. Sometimes you can catch them on a spoon if they won’t come back to the surface. 

Jordan Lee ‏@JLeefishing

I haven’t figured out how to do that, but be patient and wait for them to come up again.  

 

Matt Hand ‏@mhand334

@wmattlee @JLeefishing Best bait for schooling bass that receive a lot of pressure and just swirl on most topwater baits? 

Jordan Lee ‏@JLeefishing

Throw a weightless fluke and burn it through the water column. 

Matt Lee ‏@wmattlee

I wish I knew! Maybe try making as many casts as possible. Current is always key on those lakes. 

 

Briggs DeFoor ‏@hammerstickD4

@SPowell1124 what’s your favorite type of lure? 

Shane Powell ‏@SPowell1124

Norman DD22 in a splatterback color.

 

James Hall ‏@james_hall_bass

 @wmattlee , if you were going to give your brother one piece of advice for fishing the upcoming Classic, what would it be?

Matt Lee ‏@wmattlee

Don’t fold like a cheap lawn chair. One piece of advice: Catch 15 of the biggest fish of your life! 

 

Bassmaster ‏@BASS_nation

The Lees’ parents, Leigh and Bruce, are at the BASS hq for the #basschat! pic.twitter.com/PVBrX7ZTvD

 

Emily Hand ‏@ejhand

Who from the @AuburnBass will be in your shoes next year #wareagle

Matt Lee ‏@wmattlee

It’s a shootout between Brandon Worthey and @hammerstickD4

Shane Powell ‏@SPowell1124

@BenCurry7, Brandon Worthey, and @hammerstickD4

Jordan Lee ‏@JLeefishing

Garrett Roberts, Ben Curry and @hammerstickD4

 

Matthew Peeler ‏@mbpeeler

@JLeefishing @SPowell1124 I’ll be around AU soon and want to get on a big bag. Where do I need to go? 

Matt Lee ‏@wmattlee

Don Logan’s pond! Give him a shout! 

Jordan Lee ‏@JLeefishing

1716 is a good place to start. 😉 

Shane Powell ‏@SPowell1124

1716 Or Quixotes. We’ll get on a big bag together. 

 

Zach Parker ‏@ZParkerfishing

Whats y’all’s favorite way to catch em out deep? 

Shane Powell ‏@SPowell1124

Ounce weight with a 6 inch basstrix. 

Matt Lee ‏@wmattlee

On an A-Rig in February on Kentucky Lake. 

Jordan Lee ‏@JLeefishing

With you, @ZParkerfishing on a 1-ounce football jig on Guntersville. 

 

Hayden Tilley ‏@Spuddster22

What’s the best advice for younger fishermen who want to follow in the footsteps of you guys? 

Matt Lee ‏@wmattlee

Just keep fishing every chance you get! And don’t let anything get in your way (girls included!).  

Shane Powell ‏@SPowell1124

First, get an education. Then, be on the water as much as possible. Fish a bunch of different lakes. 

Jordan Lee ‏@JLeefishing

Fish as much as possible. Fish as many tournaments as you can. 

When I was younger, I fished a tournament every weekend. 

 

Justin Atkins ‏@JATKINSFISHING

@JLeefishing if you had to give up fishing, what hobby would you choose to take its place? 

Jordan Lee ‏@JLeefishing

Rodeo clown. 

Justin Atkins ‏@JATKINSFISHING

I was thinking you looked more like a golf caddy 

Jordan Lee ‏@JLeefishing

A golf caddy that does the Cat Daddy. 

 

Brad Rutherford ‏@bradrutherford

Who would win a fist between y’all three? 

Matt Lee ‏@wmattlee

Probably @jleefishing. He has more stamina than @spowell1124 and me combined! 

Jordan Lee ‏@JLeefishing

Me. You know I’ve got the guns

Shane Powell ‏@SPowell1124

Me, because I’ve got a 20 pound advantage on both of them! 

Jordan Lee ‏@JLeefishing

Hah. 40 pounds at least. 

Matt Lee ‏@wmattlee

I’m the only one who didn’t pick myself! 

 

Brad Rutherford ‏@bradrutherford

@JLeefishing does anyone call you daddy since you are going to the classic? 

Jordan Lee ‏@JLeefishing

No, not yet. But, I’m expecting it. 

 

Logan Duckworth ‏@LoganDuck

@wmattlee best boat for a college student budget? 

Matt Lee ‏@wmattlee

A flat-bottom with a 50-horse and top-notch graphs. 

 

Tyler Reed ‏@twreed

How many times do you think you’ll fish Guntersville before the cutoff in January?  @JLeefishing

Jordan Lee ‏@JLeefishing

I’ll probably fish it 10 or 15 times before January. But, that’s not scouting – just fun fishing. 

 

Zach Parker ‏@ZParkerfishing

@wmattlee How many frogs have you caught on a frog? Haha 

Matt Lee ‏@wmattlee

Only with you! 

 

Emily Hand ‏@ejhand

What are your plans after graduation? 

Shane Powell ‏@SPowell1124

Working for my parents in a garage door company. Fishing the @BASS_nation Opens. 

Jordan Lee ‏@JLeefishing

I’m moving to Mexico to be a guide on El Salto. 🙂 I wish. 

Bassmaster ‏@BASS_nation

From Leigh Lee (mom of Lees): “You’re not moving home.” 🙂 

 

Tyler Reed ‏@twreed

What does Auburn’s success the last two years in the bracket say about the Auburn fishing team? 

Emily Hand ‏@ejhand

That they are the best!!! #wareagle

Shane Powell ‏@SPowell1124

It says that @AuburnBass is one of the best schools to attend if you are serious about fishing. 

Matt Lee ‏@wmattlee

It’s pretty tough to put into words. There’s better odds that the world will end tomorrow than for that to happen twice! 

 

Emily Hand ‏@ejhand

What are your favorite lakes to fish? 

Shane Powell ‏@SPowell1124

Lake Eufaula and anything on the Coosa River. 

Jordan Lee ‏@JLeefishing

I went to Lake Falcon one time, and I’d like to go back! 

Matt Lee ‏@wmattlee

Lake Falcon because I’ve never been there. Just heard stories. 

 

Jennifer Dome ‏@BhamJen

If you could fish any lake in the world, what would it be? 

Shane Powell ‏@SPowell1124

Lake St. Clair – I’ve never fished for smallmouth like that. 

Matt Lee ‏@wmattlee

Lake Guntersville. It’s always ranked one of the top lakes in the nation. So many memories there. 

Jordan Lee ‏@JLeefishing

El Salto. 

 

Adrian Avena ‏@AdrianAvena

@JLeefishing Can you do all of us college guys a favor and kick some A**! 

Jordan Lee ‏@JLeefishing

I’m going to do my best brother! 

 

Matt Hand ‏@mhand334

@JLeefishing @wmattlee how do y’all catch big largemouth in the winter months? 

Matt Lee ‏@wmattlee

Xr50s and Xr75s. I caught an 11-pounder at Guntersville on the Xr75. Toledo gold is the best color. 

Jordan Lee ‏@JLeefishing

I use a 1/2-ounce @booyahfishing targeting deeper rock. 

 

Matthew Peeler ‏@mbpeeler

I really struggle deciding between crickets and worms. Any advice? 

Shane Powell ‏@SPowell1124

Can’t go wrong with crickets! Catches mega sized bream! 

Jordan Lee ‏@JLeefishing

Shut up. 

 

Matt Hand ‏@mhand334

@wmattlee @JLeefishing thanks for answering all my questions. And Jordan best of luck in fishing the classic this year 

Jordan Lee ‏@JLeefishing

Thank you for asking them! 

 

Bassmaster ‏@BASS_nation

Finishing up the Twitter chat  — with @SPowell1124 pic.twitter.com/i8LQAEs1En

 

Bassmaster ‏@BASS_nation

Thank you for your questions, fans! We appreciate @wmattlee @JLeefishing and @SPowell1124 joining us today 

Jordan Lee ‏@JLeefishing

Hope everyone has a great day! Thank you all for joining. WDE. 

Shane Powell ‏@SPowell1124

Thanks everyone for the questions! Hopefully I’ll have the opportunity to do this again. 

Matt Lee ‏@wmattlee

Thank you all for your questions!  Looking forward to seeing all of you in Birmingham at the 2014 Classic!!  War Eagle