How the Toyota Texas Bass Classic was won

The 2015 Toyota Texas Bass Classic was a damp affair held on Lake Fork near Quitman, Texas.

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Welcome to the first morning of the 2015 Toyota Texas Bass Classic (TTBC) held on Lake Fork near Quitman, Texas. The anglers lined up after launching in the damp Texas air and got the last of their equipment ready for action.
Welcome to the first morning of the 2015 Toyota Texas Bass Classic (TTBC) held on Lake Fork near Quitman, Texas. The anglers lined up after launching in the damp Texas air and got the last of their equipment ready for action.
2014 Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Greg Hackney ties a flag on his light pole.
2014 Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Greg Hackney ties a flag on his light pole.
Brandon Palaniuk talks about his plan for day one.
Brandon Palaniuk talks about his plan for day one.
Lake Havasu Elite Series winner Aaron Martens gets his Enigma rods ready…
Lake Havasu Elite Series winner Aaron Martens gets his Enigma rods ready…

…and signs a few autographs.
…and signs a few autographs.
Mark Davis finishes tying on a Strike King Menace.
Mark Davis finishes tying on a Strike King Menace.
Kevin VanDam says he is going to be deep cranking most of the day.
Kevin VanDam says he is going to be deep cranking most of the day.
Brett Hite finishes a knot and also says he is going to be doing a lot of cranking.
Brett Hite finishes a knot and also says he is going to be doing a lot of cranking.
Palaniuk pulls out some of his rods.
Palaniuk pulls out some of his rods.
Todd Faircloth finishes rigging up another bait.
Todd Faircloth finishes rigging up another bait.
2014 TTBC champion Keith Combs had a deck loaded with crankbaits.
2014 TTBC champion Keith Combs had a deck loaded with crankbaits.
After the national anthem emcee Dave Mercer sends the anglers out on Lake Fork!
After the national anthem emcee Dave Mercer sends the anglers out on Lake Fork!
Keith Combs lays the hammer down.
Keith Combs lays the hammer down.
Greg Hackney blasts off.
Greg Hackney blasts off.
Faircloth moves towards the end of the no wake zone.
Faircloth moves towards the end of the no wake zone.
Jacob Powroznik heads to his first fishing spot.
Jacob Powroznik heads to his first fishing spot.
Brent Ehrler gets up on pad.
Brent Ehrler gets up on pad.
Martens heads out.
Martens heads out.
Hite looks focused.
Hite looks focused.
Mark Davis comes out next…
Mark Davis comes out next…
…then Jason Christie.
…then Jason Christie.
Dean Rojas follows Christie out of the SRA launch area.
Dean Rojas follows Christie out of the SRA launch area.
Sacramento Elite Series winner Justin Lucas hops Rojas’ wake.
Sacramento Elite Series winner Justin Lucas hops Rojas’ wake.
Chris Lane looks excited to go chase some giant Lake Fork largemouth.
Chris Lane looks excited to go chase some giant Lake Fork largemouth.
John Crews lays the hammer down.
John Crews lays the hammer down.
Michael Iaconelli is next in line!
Michael Iaconelli is next in line!
Kelly Jordon heads out.
Kelly Jordon heads out.
Last, but not least KVD roars out of the take off area.
Last, but not least KVD roars out of the take off area.
Out on the lake Combs is set up on a hump that he is fishing with several different baits including a Strike King 10XD.
Out on the lake Combs is set up on a hump that he is fishing with several different baits including a Strike King 10XD.
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There are quite a few spectator boats crowd around Combs.
There are quite a few spectator boats crowd around Combs.
Combs pulls his big crankbait up from the depths.
Combs pulls his big crankbait up from the depths.
He makes another cast on the back of the hump…
He makes another cast on the back of the hump…
…and connects with a giant fish.
…and connects with a giant fish.
He fights it towards the boat and grabs the net.
He fights it towards the boat and grabs the net.
Combs scoops the fish!
Combs scoops the fish!
Got her…
Got her…
…bringing the fish into the boat, the judge weighs the fish.
…bringing the fish into the boat, the judge weighs the fish.
After getting a weight reading, Combs releases the fish back into Lake Fork.
After getting a weight reading, Combs releases the fish back into Lake Fork.
Matt Herren flies by Combs heading to another spot on the lake.
Matt Herren flies by Combs heading to another spot on the lake.
Combs goes back to fishing after his first catch and continues to crank away.
Combs goes back to fishing after his first catch and continues to crank away.
A few miles away from Combs there was a submerged point that several anglers were fishing in close quarters. KVD and Palaniuk were head to head casting across the point.
A few miles away from Combs there was a submerged point that several anglers were fishing in close quarters. KVD and Palaniuk were head to head casting across the point.
In the midst of all the other anglers and spectators Palaniuk hooks a fish and boats it.
In the midst of all the other anglers and spectators Palaniuk hooks a fish and boats it.
Next Lucas catches one and brings it to his judge for a weight.
Next Lucas catches one and brings it to his judge for a weight.
Waiting for a good reading.
Waiting for a good reading.
KVD casts into the wind.
KVD casts into the wind.
Palaniuk also casting into the now heavy wind.
Palaniuk also casting into the now heavy wind.
KVD hooks a decent fish.
KVD hooks a decent fish.
He swings it into the boat in front of all his GoPro cameras.
He swings it into the boat in front of all his GoPro cameras.
He waits as the fish is weighed.
He waits as the fish is weighed.
Then releases the fish back into the lake.
Then releases the fish back into the lake.
The waves are definitely picking up.
The waves are definitely picking up.
Palaniuk sends his bait down range.
Palaniuk sends his bait down range.
More spectator boats tearing down the lake after who we thought was Jason Christie.
More spectator boats tearing down the lake after who we thought was Jason Christie.
Christie was fishing around some trees near a sloping drop.
Christie was fishing around some trees near a sloping drop.
He makes a few casts and sets the hook.
He makes a few casts and sets the hook.
The judge gets a weight measurement.
The judge gets a weight measurement.
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One more cast, then its time to head to weigh in.
One more cast, then its time to head to weigh in.
OK guys, time to head back.
OK guys, time to head back.
Jason Christie wrapped up his day one with a total weight of 37 pounds, 4 ounces taking the lead after a great first day on the lake.
Jason Christie wrapped up his day one with a total weight of 37 pounds, 4 ounces taking the lead after a great first day on the lake.
Day two of the 2015 TTBC began with extreme storms looming all around the lake. The humid temperatures and dark sky were a telltale sign that we were all going to get wet on the lake.
Day two of the 2015 TTBC began with extreme storms looming all around the lake. The humid temperatures and dark sky were a telltale sign that we were all going to get wet on the lake.
Dean Rojas launches his boat first.
Dean Rojas launches his boat first.
Then came the leader Jason Christie.
Then came the leader Jason Christie.
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Chris Lane, already wearing his rain suit, hops out of his truck.
Chris Lane, already wearing his rain suit, hops out of his truck.
Over at the takeoff area emcee Dave Mercer talks to Jason Christie about his day two plans on Lake Fork.
Over at the takeoff area emcee Dave Mercer talks to Jason Christie about his day two plans on Lake Fork.
Mercer interviews Christie.
Mercer interviews Christie.
Brent Ehrler straps down his rods after rigging his baits.
Brent Ehrler straps down his rods after rigging his baits.
Justin Lucas pulls his line through the guides and prepares for takeoff…
Justin Lucas pulls his line through the guides and prepares for takeoff…
Brandon Palaniuk pulls out of the staging area.
Brandon Palaniuk pulls out of the staging area.
Gerald Swindle blasts off.
Gerald Swindle blasts off.
The field heads out into the storms.
The field heads out into the storms.
Randall Tharp gets some speed.
Randall Tharp gets some speed.
Chris Lane looks ready to play in the rain.
Chris Lane looks ready to play in the rain.
Lucas jumps some wakes.
Lucas jumps some wakes.
Rojas takes his hat off as he crosses the no wake zone line.
Rojas takes his hat off as he crosses the no wake zone line.
Christie heads to his first spot.
Christie heads to his first spot.
Mark Davis is next.
Mark Davis is next.
Then Brett Hite.
Then Brett Hite.
Aaron Martens hits the throttle.
Aaron Martens hits the throttle.
Todd Faircloth speeds out to his first fishing area.
Todd Faircloth speeds out to his first fishing area.
Keith Combs comes out of the SRA launch area.
Keith Combs comes out of the SRA launch area.
A few miles from takeoff Chris Lane arrives at his first spot and makes a cast towards the bank. He was fishing shallow, while most other anglers were trying to get deep fish to bite.
A few miles from takeoff Chris Lane arrives at his first spot and makes a cast towards the bank. He was fishing shallow, while most other anglers were trying to get deep fish to bite.
A quick bait adjustment in the trees…
A quick bait adjustment in the trees…
…then back to fishing.
…then back to fishing.
Another cast.
Another cast.
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The fish explodes through the waters surface.
The fish explodes through the waters surface.
Airborne!
Airborne!
Lane brings the fish to the boat as it jumps and fights.
Lane brings the fish to the boat as it jumps and fights.
He swings the fish into the boat.
He swings the fish into the boat.
A quick unhook…
A quick unhook…
…time to get a weight.
…time to get a weight.
The next cast Lane catches another bass! Not a giant though…
The next cast Lane catches another bass! Not a giant though…
As the rain started to really come down, Lane puts on his jacket.
As the rain started to really come down, Lane puts on his jacket.
He makes another cast and sets the hook.
He makes another cast and sets the hook.
The fight is on!
The fight is on!
Lane swings the largemouth in.
Lane swings the largemouth in.
Catch one, unhook it, weigh it, repeat.
Catch one, unhook it, weigh it, repeat.
Meanwhile back at the TTBC expo, emcee Dave Mercer interviews Chris Brown of Rigid Industries about some of the boat lighting products they offer.
Meanwhile back at the TTBC expo, emcee Dave Mercer interviews Chris Brown of Rigid Industries about some of the boat lighting products they offer.
At 4:15 p.m. the anglers came in to the dock and met up with some media folks for interviews. Jason Christie had another great day on the water.
At 4:15 p.m. the anglers came in to the dock and met up with some media folks for interviews. Jason Christie had another great day on the water.
The anglers walk up from their boats to the stage.
The anglers walk up from their boats to the stage.
Along the way they meet some fans and sign some autographs.
Along the way they meet some fans and sign some autographs.
Hackney signs the fishing jersey of a dedicated fan.
Hackney signs the fishing jersey of a dedicated fan.
Combs and KVD sign their names and head to the scales.
Combs and KVD sign their names and head to the scales.
Jason Christie ended up keeping his lead after day two with a day one and two combined weight of 64 pounds.
Jason Christie ended up keeping his lead after day two with a day one and two combined weight of 64 pounds.
Jason Christie launches in the glow of the 6 a.m. Lake Fork light on day three with a 5-pound lead over Chris Lane.
Jason Christie launches in the glow of the 6 a.m. Lake Fork light on day three with a 5-pound lead over Chris Lane.
Keith Combs waves “Hey!” as he launches his boat.
Keith Combs waves “Hey!” as he launches his boat.
Meanwhile over at the SRA staging area Brent Ehrler gets interviewed about his fishing plan for day three.
Meanwhile over at the SRA staging area Brent Ehrler gets interviewed about his fishing plan for day three.
Sitting in second place Lane says he is going to continue fishing shallow and is looking for big bites to catch Christie.
Sitting in second place Lane says he is going to continue fishing shallow and is looking for big bites to catch Christie.
John Crews uses a Sharpie to make his bait look better in the water.
John Crews uses a Sharpie to make his bait look better in the water.
Dave Mercer interviews Ike about his plan going into day three.
Dave Mercer interviews Ike about his plan going into day three.
Keith Combs puts a fresh hook on his crankbait.
Keith Combs puts a fresh hook on his crankbait.
In seventh place, Casey Ashley says he’s going to need the right bites to move up the standings.
In seventh place, Casey Ashley says he’s going to need the right bites to move up the standings.
Brandon Palaniuk tells Mercer that he is going to just go fishing and try for some giants.
Brandon Palaniuk tells Mercer that he is going to just go fishing and try for some giants.
Ashley signs some autographs.
Ashley signs some autographs.
Lane talks to the TV crews about how great it is to fish on Lake Fork.
Lane talks to the TV crews about how great it is to fish on Lake Fork.
Leader Christie cleans off the screens of his electronics.
Leader Christie cleans off the screens of his electronics.
Lane does more interviews.
Lane does more interviews.
Mercer talks to 2015 Bassmaster Classic champion Casey Ashley about his fishing plan on day three.
Mercer talks to 2015 Bassmaster Classic champion Casey Ashley about his fishing plan on day three.
Combs talks deep cranking with a 10XD on Fork just before blast off time.
Combs talks deep cranking with a 10XD on Fork just before blast off time.
The flag boat escorts leader Jason Christie out to the takeoff zone on Memorial Day championship Monday.
The flag boat escorts leader Jason Christie out to the takeoff zone on Memorial Day championship Monday.
Lane feels confident he can catch 'em today.
Lane feels confident he can catch ’em today.
Christie blasts off and heads to his first spot.
Christie blasts off and heads to his first spot.
When he pulls up to his spot, he begins fishing the area with a variety of baits including deep-water crank baits, swimbaits and a jig.
When he pulls up to his spot, he begins fishing the area with a variety of baits including deep-water crank baits, swimbaits and a jig.
He works his way through the trees.
He works his way through the trees.
Lots of spectator boats are out despite the wind and rain.
Lots of spectator boats are out despite the wind and rain.
Christie casts towards a submerged slope where he hopes fish will be sitting.
Christie casts towards a submerged slope where he hopes fish will be sitting.
Throwing a 10XD Christie pulls the bait up once it gets close to the boat.
Throwing a 10XD Christie pulls the bait up once it gets close to the boat.
No luck in the first spot, so we head to another area.
No luck in the first spot, so we head to another area.
It’s getting windy.
It’s getting windy.
Christie heads shallower.
Christie heads shallower.
He starts flipping some brush in the shallow water.
He starts flipping some brush in the shallow water.
He works his way around the large pile.
He works his way around the large pile.
Brush hawgin’ the edge of the pile.
Brush hawgin’ the edge of the pile.
“Nothing here either guys, let's make a move.”
“Nothing here either guys, let’s make a move.”
Christie sets up offshore on spot three.
Christie sets up offshore on spot three.
He hooks a few sand bass.
He hooks a few sand bass.
A few casts later Christie hooks into a big fish.
A few casts later Christie hooks into a big fish.
This one is what he was looking for.
This one is what he was looking for.
He readies the net.
He readies the net.
The fish is staying down and pulling hard.
The fish is staying down and pulling hard.
Net in one hand and rod in the other, Christie is in a serious battle with his first fish of the day.
Net in one hand and rod in the other, Christie is in a serious battle with his first fish of the day.
Its about to jump. Stay on!
Its about to jump. Stay on!
Christie locks eyes with the Lake Fork beast.
Christie locks eyes with the Lake Fork beast.
The fish goes back down and Christie moves in to net the bass.
The fish goes back down and Christie moves in to net the bass.
Almost there…
Almost there…
The push of the wave ensures a good net job.
The push of the wave ensures a good net job.
Got her.
Got her.
Smiles all around.
Smiles all around.
Christie brings the fish into his boat.
Christie brings the fish into his boat.
His whole hand could fit in the fish's mouth.
His whole hand could fit in the fish’s mouth.
He brings the fish up to show the camera.
He brings the fish up to show the camera.
Time to get a weight.
Time to get a weight.
Christie quickly releases the fish.
Christie quickly releases the fish.
He goes back to throwing a crankbait.
He goes back to throwing a crankbait.
Several miles away second place angler Lane is fishing shallow.
Several miles away second place angler Lane is fishing shallow.
He is catching fish every 20 minutes and boat flipping them.
He is catching fish every 20 minutes and boat flipping them.
Lane and his judge get a weight on this fish.
Lane and his judge get a weight on this fish.
Then Lane releases it.
Then Lane releases it.
Lanes spectators cheered when he boated a fish!
Lanes spectators cheered when he boated a fish!
Another hook is set.
Another hook is set.
The fish is flailing all over.
The fish is flailing all over.
Get in here!
Get in here!
Chris grabs the line and tries to wrangle the fish.
Chris grabs the line and tries to wrangle the fish.
“Not bad, but we need some big ones.
“Not bad, but we need some big ones.”
Lane poled down and flipped and frogged all along the bank.
Lane poled down and flipped and frogged all along the bank.
He sets the hook on another fish.
He sets the hook on another fish.
Lane quickly flips the fish into the boat.
Lane quickly flips the fish into the boat.
Lane unhooks the fish and gives it to his judge.
Lane unhooks the fish and gives it to his judge.
That one will help.
That one will help.
POW!
POW!
Lane works his bait shallow behind some wood.
Lane works his bait shallow behind some wood.
There's one.
There’s one.
Lane boat flips the fish.
Lane boat flips the fish.
Not a giant…
Not a giant…
The next flip Lane hooks a good fish.
The next flip Lane hooks a good fish.
The fish swims down the length of the boat.
The fish swims down the length of the boat.
Lane swings the fish up and into the boat.
Lane swings the fish up and into the boat.
That one will help too.
That one will help too.
Lane and his judge hold the fish up for the camera.
Lane and his judge hold the fish up for the camera.
It's going to be time to head back in a few more casts.
It’s going to be time to head back in a few more casts.
Back at check in, Brent Ehrler has a 10-pound, 11-ounce fish, and he was bagging it up to take to the stage. Could he now have a shot at winning this thing? It's all going to come down to how Jason Christie and Chris Lane did in the final hour of the tournament.
Back at check in, Brent Ehrler has a 10-pound, 11-ounce fish, and he was bagging it up to take to the stage. Could he now have a shot at winning this thing? It’s all going to come down to how Jason Christie and Chris Lane did in the final hour of the tournament.
Ehrler holds the fish up for the cameras.
Ehrler holds the fish up for the cameras.
As the weigh-in started, Keith Combs rolls in on the back of a Toyota Tundra to the stage.
As the weigh-in started, Keith Combs rolls in on the back of a Toyota Tundra to the stage.
Dave Mercer and Combs talk about day three.
Dave Mercer and Combs talk about day three.
Combs had a great final day.
Combs had a great final day.
He takes the lead and talks about how he caught his fish.
He takes the lead and talks about how he caught his fish.
Michael Iaconelli weighs in.
Michael Iaconelli weighs in.
Then Casey Ashley.
Then Casey Ashley.
Next comes Ehrler with his huge fish.
Next comes Ehrler with his huge fish.
He holds it up high.
He holds it up high.
What a fish!
What a fish!
Mercer announces his weigh, and Brent Ehrler takes the lead.
Mercer announces his weigh, and Brent Ehrler takes the lead.
Woooo!
Woooo!
Ehrler holds up his fish one more time for the cameras.
Ehrler holds up his fish one more time for the cameras.
This is what you come to Lake Fork for, absolutely awesome fishing.
This is what you come to Lake Fork for, absolutely awesome fishing.
Chris Lane comes up to the scales, but couldn’t catch enough to take the lead from Ehrler.
Chris Lane comes up to the scales, but couldn’t catch enough to take the lead from Ehrler.
Jason Christie is the final angler to weigh in. Does he have enough to hold his lead?
Jason Christie is the final angler to weigh in. Does he have enough to hold his lead?
Ehrler’s 10-pound, 11-ounce fish plus his other four fish were enough to win the 2015 Toyota Texas Bass Classic.
Ehrler’s 10-pound, 11-ounce fish plus his other four fish were enough to win the 2015 Toyota Texas Bass Classic.
Here comes the big check.
Here comes the big check.
And for catching the biggest bass, Ehrler also wins a new Toyota truck!
And for catching the biggest bass, Ehrler also wins a new Toyota truck!
Brent Ehrler finished with a three-day weight of 89 pounds, 12 ounces and was able to beat two-day leader Jason Christie’s weight by 2 pounds. Congrats, Brent.
Brent Ehrler finished with a three-day weight of 89 pounds, 12 ounces and was able to beat two-day leader Jason Christie’s weight by 2 pounds. Congrats, Brent.