2008 Elite Series: Southern Challenge Day Three Behind The Scenes

Ken Cook responds to a question during the Bassmaster University session at the Bassmaster Elite Series Southern Challenge on Wheeler Lake presented by Advance Auto Parts.

Veteran Ken Cook just missed the 50-cut for Day Three at the Southern Challenge and shares his knowledge of fishing with the fans at the Bassmaster University.

Kevin VanDam signs autographs as the fans surround his boat as soon as he reaches the dock at the end of Day Three.

The fans watch intently, and shout their approval as VanDam loads his weigh-in bag.

Despite a tragedy in his family, Shaw Grigsby fished hard on Day Three and secured an 11th place finish, which will see him battling for the $100,000 first-place prize on Sunday.

Kotaro Kiriyama fought his way into ninth place on Day Three and will move on to fish the final day.

Alton Jones Jr. finished up his Day Three in a very respectable 35th position in the co-angler field.

Todd Faircloth loads his weigh-in bag with one of the fish that helped him to a fourth place finish on Day Three.

Mike McClelland comes to the dock with the second flight on Day Three. McClelland finished 43rd in the Southern Challenge.

Fans stand to honor Old Glory as they brave the heat and humidity on Saturday to see the best bass anglers in the world compete on Lake Wheeler.

Jeremy Starks, labeled by some as the "dark horse" of the Southern Challenge, waits backstage to weigh his Day Three catch.

Terry Scroggins is interviewed by Bassmaster.com contributor Steve Price backstage after weighing in 13 pounds, 1 ounce on Day Three, dropping him from the lead into third place.

Skeet Reese tied Dave Wolak for 14th place, just out of the 12 cut on Day Three. He gained momentum along with Kevin VanDam for Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year race.

Matt Reed talks to media backstage after weighing in 14 pounds, 15 ounces, good for sixth place with a total three-day weight of 49 pounds, 5 ounces.

Shaw Grigsby talks about the loss of his father-in-law and the dedicated service to his country saying, "They will be giving him a 21-gun salute in about 30 to 40 minutes."

Mark Zona visits with long time friend and fellow son of Michigan Kevin VanDam after weigh-in on Day Three.

Fans even showed up to the weigh-in at Ingall's Harbor by boat on Saturday.

Tommy Biffle (left) and co-angler Chad Kallina walk to the weigh-in on Day Three.

Mark Zona poses for a photo with his young fans backstage as the weigh-in proceeds in the background.

Local favorite Timmy Horton shares a laugh with emcee Keith Alan. Horton finished Day Three in 27th place.

Julianna Cantrell and Grant Wisdom cheer for their uncle, co-angler Steven Wisdom, on Day Three.

Edwin Evers gets knocked from the 12th position late in the weigh-in on Day Three, eventually finishing 13th.

A sign in Ingall's Harbor explains the history of the Bassmaster Elite Series. Ingall's Harbor has been touted by many pros as the finest facility they have ever visited.

Kevin VanDam unloads his "cull fish." It was the smallest fish in his 22-pound, 12-ounce Day Three limit.

Dave Wolak produces one of the Wheeler Lake bass that helped him into a 14th place tie with Skeet Reese.

Todd Faircloth holds up his largest bass of the day. It went 7 pounds, 13 ounces and ended up the Purolator Big Bass on Day Three.

Shaw Grigsby has had a great run in this tournament and goes into the final day in 11th place.

Upon parking at the dock, Chris Lane immediately closed his eyes and relaxed. Lane would finish Day Three in 24th place.

The pros wait at the tanks behind the stage early in the Day Three weigh-in

Jeremy Starks is interviewed by the media as he comes off stage. He ended Day Three in second place, just over a pound behind leader Kevin VanDam.

Kevin VanDam gives BASS Director of Angler Relations, Janet Bell, a wink as she guesses his bag at over 21 pounds.

Terry Scroggins tells Kevin VanDam that he weighed over 22 pounds. They share a laugh as VanDam looks at his weigh-in slip to reveal the truth: Scroggins weighed 13 pounds, 1 ounce.

Peter Thliveros just missed the Purolator Big Bass with this bruiser, which weighed 7 pounds, 5 ounces.

Mark Zona signs a hat for young fan Gus Arnold as his father Matt looks on.

Gerald Swindle waits backstage with his Day Three bag that would total 15 pounds, 2 ounces, which was good for 26th place.

Rookie Corey Waldrop, the youngest pro on tour, is all smiles backstage as he solidifies an eighth place finish on Day Three.

Celebrating 40 years of fishing, BASS is offering up prizes each day in the month of June in the Gear-up Giveaway. Log on to Bassmaster.com/anniversary to enter each day to win.

The Elite 12 are presented to the fans on Day Three.

Kevin VanDam remains out front after the other pros disappear, signing autographs for BASS fans.