9 questions with Jordan Lee

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Two-time Bassmaster Classic champion Jordan Lee occupies rarefied air in the sport of bass fishing, just one of a handful of pros to win multiple Classics, and one of three – along with Rick Clunn and Kevin VanDam – to win two back-to-back. The Cullman, Ala., native and Auburn University graduate first came to national prominence when he lost a final round fish-off to his brother Matt in the 2012 Carhartt College Series Bassmaster Classic Bracket, sending Matt to the 2013 Classic on Grand Lake. Jordan won the same title the next year and both brothers embarked on their Elite Series careers in 2015. Jordan will turn 27 later this month and has already passed the $1 million mark in career earnings. Next February he’ll compete in his fourth straight Classic and look to become the first pro to “threepeat.”
Two-time Bassmaster Classic champion Jordan Lee occupies rarefied air in the sport of bass fishing, just one of a handful of pros to win multiple Classics, and one of three – along with Rick Clunn and Kevin VanDam – to win two back-to-back. The Cullman, Ala., native and Auburn University graduate first came to national prominence when he lost a final round fish-off to his brother Matt in the 2012 Carhartt College Series Bassmaster Classic Bracket, sending Matt to the 2013 Classic on Grand Lake. Jordan won the same title the next year and both brothers embarked on their Elite Series careers in 2015. Jordan will turn 27 later this month and has already passed the $1 million mark in career earnings. Next February he’ll compete in his fourth straight Classic and look to become the first pro to “threepeat.”
<b>1. Many top pros – like Jared Lintner, Russ Lane and Jason Williamson – are big guys, but you’re small in stature. How does that affect your fishing? </b><br><br> I’m 5-feet, 10-inches and 158 pounds. It helps me because you can be a little more agile around the boat. Just watch Brandon Palaniuk jumping around as he fights a big smallmouth. You don’t ever see any of those big guys doing that.
1. Many top pros – like Jared Lintner, Russ Lane and Jason Williamson – are big guys, but you’re small in stature. How does that affect your fishing?

I’m 5-feet, 10-inches and 158 pounds. It helps me because you can be a little more agile around the boat. Just watch Brandon Palaniuk jumping around as he fights a big smallmouth. You don’t ever see any of those big guys doing that.

<b>2. What would you do for a living if pro angling wasn’t in the cards? </b><br><br> I’ve always been real interested in detective work. I have a few buddies who do that and I believe it’s something that I’d really enjoy.
2. What would you do for a living if pro angling wasn’t in the cards?

I’ve always been real interested in detective work. I have a few buddies who do that and I believe it’s something that I’d really enjoy.

<b>3. What is the best dining experience you’ve had on tour? </b><br><br> Austin, Texas, had a lot of options, but another place that had good food was Winyah Bay. It wasn’t a great place to fish, but it had awesome food. Matt and I both missed the cut, and that night we went out to a place – I can’t remember the name – that was right on the water and we ate a ton of amazing seafood.
3. What is the best dining experience you’ve had on tour?

Austin, Texas, had a lot of options, but another place that had good food was Winyah Bay. It wasn’t a great place to fish, but it had awesome food. Matt and I both missed the cut, and that night we went out to a place – I can’t remember the name – that was right on the water and we ate a ton of amazing seafood.

<b>4. Why should someone spend their next vacation in Cullman, Ala.? </b><br><br> Well, if you’re not a fisherman, I don’t know that you should. I mean, it’s grown a lot, but it’s still more of a stop on the way to the beach. But if you are a fisherman, it’s right in the middle of everything. You can drive 45 minutes to an hour and find someplace to fish. You’re right in the middle of all the Tennessee River lakes, and you’ve got Smith Lake right there. <p> I like to take my Native Kayak out in the area. There are a lot of mid-size lakes and ponds, and even bigger lakes like Smith where we catch a bunch of fish from a smaller boat. I've really gotten into kayaking lately, and we love it!
4. Why should someone spend their next vacation in Cullman, Ala.?

Well, if you’re not a fisherman, I don’t know that you should. I mean, it’s grown a lot, but it’s still more of a stop on the way to the beach. But if you are a fisherman, it’s right in the middle of everything. You can drive 45 minutes to an hour and find someplace to fish. You’re right in the middle of all the Tennessee River lakes, and you’ve got Smith Lake right there.

I like to take my Native Kayak out in the area. There are a lot of mid-size lakes and ponds, and even bigger lakes like Smith where we catch a bunch of fish from a smaller boat. I’ve really gotten into kayaking lately, and we love it!

<b>5. You always seem to have a bit of facial hair going on. How often do you shave? </b><br><br> I probably shave once every two weeks or so. I’ll trim my beard and sometimes I’ll shave my neck depending on the temperature, mostly when it’s pretty hot. Sometimes I’ll even shave my mustache. My mom gets onto me for that a lot.
5. You always seem to have a bit of facial hair going on. How often do you shave?

I probably shave once every two weeks or so. I’ll trim my beard and sometimes I’ll shave my neck depending on the temperature, mostly when it’s pretty hot. Sometimes I’ll even shave my mustache. My mom gets onto me for that a lot.

<b>6. You’re sponsored by a Texas tackle store called Tackle Addict. Are you a tackle addict? </b><br><br> I definitely am. I usually buy tackle once every two weeks, often about $400 or $500 worth. I’m always kind of looking for those little baits that you can’t find just anywhere, things that fill a need. I am a tackle addict for sure.
6. You’re sponsored by a Texas tackle store called Tackle Addict. Are you a tackle addict?

I definitely am. I usually buy tackle once every two weeks, often about $400 or $500 worth. I’m always kind of looking for those little baits that you can’t find just anywhere, things that fill a need. I am a tackle addict for sure.

<b>7. You seem to do everything well – from frogging to flipping to dropshotting. What’s a presentation that you struggle with? </b><br><br> One technique that I have no confidence in is throwing a hardhead. Is that a technique – hardheading? I know that guys catch them on it all the time, all over the place, but seriously I’ve maybe only caught one fish on it.
7. You seem to do everything well – from frogging to flipping to dropshotting. What’s a presentation that you struggle with?

One technique that I have no confidence in is throwing a hardhead. Is that a technique – hardheading? I know that guys catch them on it all the time, all over the place, but seriously I’ve maybe only caught one fish on it.

<b>8. Which piece of clothing can you not live without?</b> <p> My Carhartt rainsuit. As much as we’re on the water, under all different conditions, staying dry is critical. The rainsuit keeps me dry and comfortable no matter how hard it rains.
8. Which piece of clothing can you not live without?

My Carhartt rainsuit. As much as we’re on the water, under all different conditions, staying dry is critical. The rainsuit keeps me dry and comfortable no matter how hard it rains.

<b>9. Now that you’ve won back-to-back Classics, is there pressure on you this upcoming year to make it three in a row? </b><br><br> No, there really isn’t. There wasn’t any pressure on me this year when I won at Hartwell. I know that it’s not easy to win it once, and I’ve been fortunate to win it twice. Of course I will try my best. It’s a winner-take-all event, so I’ll try to fish my strengths.
9. Now that you’ve won back-to-back Classics, is there pressure on you this upcoming year to make it three in a row?

No, there really isn’t. There wasn’t any pressure on me this year when I won at Hartwell. I know that it’s not easy to win it once, and I’ve been fortunate to win it twice. Of course I will try my best. It’s a winner-take-all event, so I’ll try to fish my strengths.