The final weigh-in at the 2017 Bass Pro Shops Southern Open #3 at Smith Lake was exciting. Here are the highlights.
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The paycheck is nice, but this lasts forever.
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Filling the trophy room is where it's at. Just ask any pro what they think about hardware.
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The Bass Pro Shops in Leeds, Ala., was the scene of the final weigh-in from Smith Lake.
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Where dreams get made.
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Chris Bowes gets things kicked off.
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Brandon Lester was first at the scales and made a late charge for the title with this 4-pounder.
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Lester finished in third with 33 pounds and 7 ounces.
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John Hunter finished 11th with 27-14.
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Classic Champ Jordan Lee finished eighth with 29-1.
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Greg Pugh finished 12th with 24-10.
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Kyle Monti finished in fifth with 30-7 and earned a 2018 Bassmaster Elite Series bid.
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Local legend David Kilgore finished in 10th with 28-8.
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Justin Lucas finished fourth with 31-15, and was the top scoring finisher in the Southern Opens.
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Shin Fukae finished in seventh with 29-4.
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Nearly winning, Kent Biggs ended up with a three-day total of 15-6.
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Will Davis finished in ninth with 28-1.5
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Winning the co-angler division, Benjie Seaborn weighed a three-day, nine-fish total of 20-15.
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Rick Morris finished second, and also earned a 2018 Bassmaster Elite Series spot with a three-day total of 34-14.
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Seaborn takes home the hardware.
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Jesse Wiggins was the final pro to weigh with an anticipated top weight.
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After the final weights are announced ...
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Wiggins wins the 2017 Bass Pro Shops Southern Open #3 for the second time in a row.
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Wiggins added 13-8 to his total for 39-15.
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And a second Opens Smith Lake trophy.
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After a few photos, Wiggins quickly left the stage to greet his family.
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It never gets old watching the top anglers at every event thank those truly responsible for the selfless and endless support necessary to fish a professional angler. Wiggins gets this as much as anyone. A fine example of a home-town hero.
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