Behind the scenes on Classic Sunday

Sundays at the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods are a blur. About 15 things are going on behind the scenes to make it all happen, and unfortunately I was in the middle of about 5 of them. So these photos did not make the cut the day of the event, but my photos of Jordan Lee backstage did. Here’s a look at some of the other anglers preparing for the final Classic weigh-in. First up is an empty backstage lot. Soon it would be full of the top 25 bass anglers in the world.

Ott DeFoe arrives with his family.

Brandon Coulter is relaxed waiting on his turn on the stage.

Mike McClelland takes the time to autograph a hat.

Jacob Powroznik checks his livewells before bagging his fish.

Hank Parker gives some tips on the casting challenge that occurred during the weigh-in.

Here’s Brandon Palaniuk reflected through his Humminbirds.

And here he is holding up some nice Hartwell bass.

Brandon in the bright sun of Greenville. It was a very nice day out back of the Bon Secours Wellness Arena.

Mark Daniels Jr. had a great first attempt at winning a Classic title- 15th place and awarded the Berkley Big Bass award for the tournament.

Seth Feider finished 18th.

John Cox finished 20th.

Jesse Wiggins takes time to talk to Dustin Connell about his day.

Jesse didn’t have a great Classic, but you can’t count him out after a very strong start to his Elite Series career.

Dustin Connell bags his fish…

Aaron Martens chills out…

And shows me one of his catches.

Matt Lee had an outstanding Classic, charging up the leaderboard to finish 4th.

He was telling Jesse Wiggins all about it as his name got called to roll into the arena.

He’d have to finish his story later.

Cliff Pirch had a strong Classic finishing 13th.

He found bass like this all three days on Hartwell.

So did Brent Ehrler, who was 1 pound 1 ounce away from a Classic title.

Casey Ashley would come up short, but still had a great 8th place finish.

Jacob Wheeler threatened the top of the leaderboard early in Day 3, but ended up with a still-respectable 7th place finish.

Finally, Jordan Lee arrives…

B.A.S.S. Opens Tournament Director gets him a bag for his fish and relays what’s going on.

Jordan bags them up.

His fiancÃ© Kristen Agnew hugged Abby Myrex, his brother Matt’s fiancÃ©. This year they will both be married to Lees and become family. You can see Jordan in the background getting ready.

As the Super Six walk down the hall, they head to the Green Room to prepare for the final part of the weigh-in.

Some of them are relaxed…

…and some just sit on the couch wondering if they won their second Classic in a row.