Chris Lane’s climb

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Chris Lane’s victory on the Sabine River last month shows he’s become one of the power hitters on the Bassmaster Elite Series.
Chris Lane’s victory on the Sabine River last month shows he’s become one of the power hitters on the Bassmaster Elite Series.
Lane gives an emphatic ‘Pow!’ every times he lands a fish, and there’s been plenty of late as he’s accumulated quite a resume.
Lane gives an emphatic ‘Pow!’ every times he lands a fish, and there’s been plenty of late as he’s accumulated quite a resume.
In the past 10 Elite Series events, Lane has been victorious three times, a solid .300 average.
In the past 10 Elite Series events, Lane has been victorious three times, a solid .300 average.
He led wire-to-wire on the Sabine River, swinging in some of the biggest fish on the bayou.
He led wire-to-wire on the Sabine River, swinging in some of the biggest fish on the bayou.
He served notice that he’s a force to be reckoned with at any event.
He served notice that he’s a force to be reckoned with at any event.
There’s no rain delays in Lane’s schedule, as evidenced by his catches during the Day 3 deluge.
There’s no rain delays in Lane’s schedule, as evidenced by his catches during the Day 3 deluge.
Moving his family to Guntersville, where they acclimated well, helped Lane be able to focus more on his fishing and become a well-rounded angler.
Moving his family to Guntersville, where they acclimated well, helped Lane be able to focus more on his fishing and become a well-rounded angler.
In 2014, Lane was excited to return to Florida, where he learned to fish, and make a run on the St. Johns River.
In 2014, Lane was excited to return to Florida, where he learned to fish, and make a run on the St. Johns River.
Lane made a big move with a 37-pound, 9-ounce bag.
Lane made a big move with a 37-pound, 9-ounce bag.
Always good in the Grapefruit League, Lane won on the St. Johns River for his second Elite title.
Always good in the Grapefruit League, Lane won on the St. Johns River for his second Elite title.
Lane had some good finishes in northern fisheries, and he broke through on St. Clair in 2012 with his first Elite crown.
Lane had some good finishes in northern fisheries, and he broke through on St. Clair in 2012 with his first Elite crown.
Mark Zona called Lane’s victory on St. Clair the “biggest upset in the history of bass fishing tournaments ever on the face of the earth.”
Mark Zona called Lane’s victory on St. Clair the “biggest upset in the history of bass fishing tournaments ever on the face of the earth.”
Chris Lane strikes a pose with the Classic trophy after winning the 2012 title on the Red River out of Shreveport/Bossier City.
Chris Lane strikes a pose with the Classic trophy after winning the 2012 title on the Red River out of Shreveport/Bossier City.
Bobby Lane came up on stage to celebrate the Classic title with his brother.
Bobby Lane came up on stage to celebrate the Classic title with his brother.
Chris and Bobby Lane, who grew up learning to fish with their father and grandfather, were living their dream of being on the Classic stage.
Chris and Bobby Lane, who grew up learning to fish with their father and grandfather, were living their dream of being on the Classic stage.
It would seem winning the Classic started Lane’s run, but he said it came the year before and was really predicated on his move to Guntersville.
It would seem winning the Classic started Lane’s run, but he said it came the year before and was really predicated on his move to Guntersville.
Lane won a Southern Open on the Harris Chain a month before the Classic. He has seven total victories in his B.A.S.S. career.
Lane won a Southern Open on the Harris Chain a month before the Classic. He has seven total victories in his B.A.S.S. career.
Suffering somewhat of a slump on the Elite Series prompted Lane’s move to Guntersville, where he worked on becoming a more versatile fisherman.
Suffering somewhat of a slump on the Elite Series prompted Lane’s move to Guntersville, where he worked on becoming a more versatile fisherman.
After a hot start in his first two Elite seasons, Lane said getting his “butt kicked in years, three, four and five” forced him to improve.
After a hot start in his first two Elite seasons, Lane said getting his “butt kicked in years, three, four and five” forced him to improve.
Lane had some good finishes, like in 2008 when he and brother Bobby took third and fourth on the Harris Chain.
Lane had some good finishes, like in 2008 when he and brother Bobby took third and fourth on the Harris Chain.
His big smile and hearty laugh has made Lane a fan favorite.
His big smile and hearty laugh has made Lane a fan favorite.
Lane said he had to learn how to win a four-day event. Here he led the 2007 Elite on Clarks Hill after three days before finishing second.
Lane said he had to learn how to win a four-day event. Here he led the 2007 Elite on Clarks Hill after three days before finishing second.
In the first year of the Elites, Lane made some noise, like taking sixth on Lake Champlain. Experience and working on his game have made him a threat to hit a home run every time he steps to the plate.
In the first year of the Elites, Lane made some noise, like taking sixth on Lake Champlain. Experience and working on his game have made him a threat to hit a home run every time he steps to the plate.