2008 Elite Series Southern Challenge: Day Four, Behind the Scenes

In this photo gallery, you'll find behind-the-scenes images from Day Four of the 2008 Elite Series Southern Challenge on Wheeler Lake, near Decatur, Alabama.

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Brian Clark talks with emcee Keith Alan along with
Brian Clark talks with emcee Keith Alan along with “Hooked Up’s” very own Mark Zona about his past career as a professional bull rider.
The fans brave the some of the hottest temperatures of the week on the final day of competition in the Southern Challenge on Wheeler Lake.
The fans brave the some of the hottest temperatures of the week on the final day of competition in the Southern Challenge on Wheeler Lake.
The Champion's trophy sits on the scale, just prior to the final weigh-in, where the champion of the Southern Challenge will be determined.
The Champion’s trophy sits on the scale, just prior to the final weigh-in, where the champion of the Southern Challenge will be determined.
Purolator fans pay homage to the flag as the national anthem echoes through the hot summer air.
Purolator fans pay homage to the flag as the national anthem echoes through the hot summer air.
Mark Menendez forces a smile as his weight is announced. Menendez would end up with 9-13 on the day and a total weight of 51-11 for the tournament, ultimately finishing 12th.
Mark Menendez forces a smile as his weight is announced. Menendez would end up with 9-13 on the day and a total weight of 51-11 for the tournament, ultimately finishing 12th.
Shaw Grigsby talks with Mr. Berry from Costa Del Mar as he waits in line to weigh in on Day One.
Shaw Grigsby talks with Mr. Berry from Costa Del Mar as he waits in line to weigh in on Day One.
Terry Scroggins, Kevin VanDam and Jeremy Starks visit just across Ingall's Harbor from the weigh-in as they wait for tow vehicles to bring their trailers.
Terry Scroggins, Kevin VanDam and Jeremy Starks visit just across Ingall’s Harbor from the weigh-in as they wait for tow vehicles to bring their trailers.
Kotaro Kiriyama weighs in 8 pounds, 7 ounces on the final day, bringing his total for weight for the Southern Challenge to 53-14, good for 11th place.
Kotaro Kiriyama weighs in 8 pounds, 7 ounces on the final day, bringing his total for weight for the Southern Challenge to 53-14, good for 11th place.
Morizo Shimizu shows the fans his largest fish for the day, which helped him to a total weight of 61 pounds, 3 ounces — finishing seventh, an ounce ahead of Matt Reed.
Morizo Shimizu shows the fans his largest fish for the day, which helped him to a total weight of 61 pounds, 3 ounces — finishing seventh, an ounce ahead of Matt Reed.
Terry Scroggins signs autographs for fans as he waits in line to weigh in.
Terry Scroggins signs autographs for fans as he waits in line to weigh in.
Jeremy Starks talks to fans and family on the docks prior to the weigh-in.
Jeremy Starks talks to fans and family on the docks prior to the weigh-in.
Mark Menendez bags one of his fish before his introduction to the crowd on the final day.
Mark Menendez bags one of his fish before his introduction to the crowd on the final day.
Matt Sphar hides from the heat inside the tow vehicle that took him to the stage.
Matt Sphar hides from the heat inside the tow vehicle that took him to the stage.
Shaw Grigsby talks to Keith Alan about his week of fishing on Wheeler Lake. Grigsby would finish 10th in the Southern Challenge.
Shaw Grigsby talks to Keith Alan about his week of fishing on Wheeler Lake. Grigsby would finish 10th in the Southern Challenge.
Shaw Grigsby signs autographs just moments before getting in his truck and leaving Ingall's Harbor on his way to Kentucky Lake for the Bluegrass Brawl.
Shaw Grigsby signs autographs just moments before getting in his truck and leaving Ingall’s Harbor on his way to Kentucky Lake for the Bluegrass Brawl.
Corey Waldrop holds up a Wheeler Lake lunker that helped him to a ninth-place finish in his first-ever top 12 day of competition.
Corey Waldrop holds up a Wheeler Lake lunker that helped him to a ninth-place finish in his first-ever top 12 day of competition.
Matt Reed waves to the BASS fans as he approaches the stage. Reed would end up weighing 11-13 on the final day for a 61-2 finish.
Matt Reed waves to the BASS fans as he approaches the stage. Reed would end up weighing 11-13 on the final day for a 61-2 finish.
Todd Faircloth would place sixth with a total weight of 65 pounds, 11 ounces.
Todd Faircloth would place sixth with a total weight of 65 pounds, 11 ounces.
John Murray would get knocked out of the
John Murray would get knocked out of the “hot seat” as Terry Scroggins weighs in 13-6. Murray would place fourth, one spot behind Scroggins with 66 pounds even.
Kevin VanDam fires up the crowd with his trademark fist pump as he is pulled to the stage.
Kevin VanDam fires up the crowd with his trademark fist pump as he is pulled to the stage.
Kevin VanDam would unseat Terry Scroggins with a final day weight of 20 pounds even and a total of 78 pounds, 2 ounces.
Kevin VanDam would unseat Terry Scroggins with a final day weight of 20 pounds even and a total of 78 pounds, 2 ounces.
Terry Scroggins has no reaction to being unseated by Kevin VanDam, despite having the lead on the first two days of the Southern Challenge.
Terry Scroggins has no reaction to being unseated by Kevin VanDam, despite having the lead on the first two days of the Southern Challenge.
Kevin VanDam as he hefts his bag weighing a solid 20 pounds.
Kevin VanDam as he hefts his bag weighing a solid 20 pounds.
Terry Scroggins watched patiently as Kevin VanDam talks about his day on the water.
Terry Scroggins watched patiently as Kevin VanDam talks about his day on the water.
Jeremy Starks reacts to unseating Kevin VanDam by a mere 8 ounces to take the Southern Challenge, his first-ever Elite Series win.
Jeremy Starks reacts to unseating Kevin VanDam by a mere 8 ounces to take the Southern Challenge, his first-ever Elite Series win.
Jeremy Starks signs autographs backstage, just moments after winning the Southern Challenge.
Jeremy Starks signs autographs backstage, just moments after winning the Southern Challenge.
Jeremy Starks holds the Southern Challenge trophy high in the air.
Jeremy Starks holds the Southern Challenge trophy high in the air.
Toyota Tundra pickups were lined up along the boat ramp to pull the top 12 through the drive-thru weigh-in on the final day of the Southern Challenge.
Toyota Tundra pickups were lined up along the boat ramp to pull the top 12 through the drive-thru weigh-in on the final day of the Southern Challenge.
BASS Tournament Director Trip Weldon was one of the guests on the live broadcast of 'Hooked Up.'
BASS Tournament Director Trip Weldon was one of the guests on the live broadcast of ‘Hooked Up.’
Mark Menendez, Shaw Grigsby and Matt Sphar stand in their boats for the national anthem before the final weigh-in.
Mark Menendez, Shaw Grigsby and Matt Sphar stand in their boats for the national anthem before the final weigh-in.
Mark Menendez waves to the crowd while being driven to the stage. Menendez finished the Southern Challenge in 12th place with 51 pounds, 11 ounces.
Mark Menendez waves to the crowd while being driven to the stage. Menendez finished the Southern Challenge in 12th place with 51 pounds, 11 ounces.
Morizo Shimizu finished in seventh place with 61 pounds, 3 ounces.
Morizo Shimizu finished in seventh place with 61 pounds, 3 ounces.
Todd Faircloth finished fourth in the Southern Challenge and moved to the top of the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year point standings.
Todd Faircloth finished fourth in the Southern Challenge and moved to the top of the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year point standings.
Kevin VanDam presents two of the baits he used in the Southern Challenge to BASS emcee, Keith Alan. VanDam told Alan,
Kevin VanDam presents two of the baits he used in the Southern Challenge to BASS emcee, Keith Alan. VanDam told Alan, “Because you need all the help you can get.”
Jeremy Starks gives a thumbs-up to the crowd just moments before he would weigh in enough bass to win the Southern Challenge.
Jeremy Starks gives a thumbs-up to the crowd just moments before he would weigh in enough bass to win the Southern Challenge.
Jeremy Starks describes the fishing spot he sat on for four days to win the Southern Challenge.
Jeremy Starks describes the fishing spot he sat on for four days to win the Southern Challenge.
Matt Sphar pulls his fish from the livewell and moves to the weigh-in stage. Sphar finished fifth with 65 pounds, 2 ounces.
Matt Sphar pulls his fish from the livewell and moves to the weigh-in stage. Sphar finished fifth with 65 pounds, 2 ounces.
Elite Series rookie Corey Waldrop finished ninth with 58 pounds, 7 ounces.
Elite Series rookie Corey Waldrop finished ninth with 58 pounds, 7 ounces.
Kevin VanDam pulls his fish from the livewell.
Kevin VanDam pulls his fish from the livewell.
Jeremy Starks pulls his best fish from the livewell.
Jeremy Starks pulls his best fish from the livewell.
Kevin VanDam sits on the 'hot seat' with the lead and watches as Jeremy Starks pulls his fish from the livewell.
Kevin VanDam sits on the ‘hot seat’ with the lead and watches as Jeremy Starks pulls his fish from the livewell.
Jeremy Starks wins the Southern Challenge with a four-day total of 78 pounds, 10 ounces.
Jeremy Starks wins the Southern Challenge with a four-day total of 78 pounds, 10 ounces.