Open: A winning weigh-in

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Billy Billeaud (9th, 37-1)
Billy Billeaud (9th, 37-1)
David Cavell (4th, 39-15)
David Cavell (4th, 39-15)
Travis Kelehan (8th, 37-4)
Travis Kelehan (8th, 37-4)
Derek Hudnall (6th, 39-9)
Derek Hudnall (6th, 39-9)
Dakota Sparks, co-angler (2nd, 19-8)
Dakota Sparks, co-angler (2nd, 19-8)
Brian Murphy, co-angler (3rd, 17-14)
Brian Murphy, co-angler (3rd, 17-14)
Brandon Lee (10th, 35-15)
Brandon Lee (10th, 35-15)
Toby Hartsell (5th, 39-14)
Toby Hartsell (5th, 39-14)
Charles Poland, co-angler (4th, 16-15)
Charles Poland, co-angler (4th, 16-15)
Cliff Pace (12th, 32-15)
Cliff Pace (12th, 32-15)
Cody Bird (3rd, 42-2)
Cody Bird (3rd, 42-2)
Chris Babin (11th, 34-2)
Chris Babin (11th, 34-2)
Blake Naquin, co-angler (1st, 23-9)
Blake Naquin, co-angler (1st, 23-9)
Naquin went wire-to-wire to win the first-place prize of a $30,000 Nitro Z18/Mercury 150 Pro XS package in the co-angler division.
Naquin went wire-to-wire to win the first-place prize of a $30,000 Nitro Z18/Mercury 150 Pro XS package in the co-angler division.
And, of course, some new hardware.
And, of course, some new hardware.
Cliff Crochet grabs the pro division hot seat with 18-4 for a three-day total of 46-6.
Cliff Crochet grabs the pro division hot seat with 18-4 for a three-day total of 46-6.
Greg Hackney approaches the weigh-in stage with a sly grin for Crochet.
Greg Hackney approaches the weigh-in stage with a sly grin for Crochet.
Hackney, who came into Day 3 in 2nd place, threatens Crochet's hot seat status.
Hackney, who came into Day 3 in 2nd place, threatens Crochet’s hot seat status.
The two Elite Series pros wait to see which will go against tournament leader Fred Roumbanis.
The two Elite Series pros wait to see which will go against tournament leader Fred Roumbanis.
Crochet dodged the Hackney bullet and remains in the lead, for now.
Crochet dodged the Hackney bullet and remains in the lead, for now.
Here comes the biggest bullet of the tournament - Fred Roumbanis.
Here comes the biggest bullet of the tournament – Fred Roumbanis.
More tension until Roumbanis' weight is revealed - 3-8. The fishing gods showed no mercy to Roumbanis on Day 3...
More tension until Roumbanis’ weight is revealed – 3-8. The fishing gods showed no mercy to Roumbanis on Day 3…
...meaning they must have favored Cliff Crochet.
…meaning they must have favored Cliff Crochet.
Crochet is very emotional as he prepares to hoist his new trophy.
Crochet is very emotional as he prepares to hoist his new trophy.
Crochet will head to his fourth Bassmaster Classic appearance in March. He spoke, with obvious relief in his voice, to emcee Chris Bowes about his difficult year on the Elite Series.
Crochet will head to his fourth Bassmaster Classic appearance in March. He spoke, with obvious relief in his voice, to emcee Chris Bowes about his difficult year on the Elite Series.
The obligatory trophy kiss.
The obligatory trophy kiss.
Then he kisses the real prize, his wife, Sara, whom he says makes his career possible.
Then he kisses the real prize, his wife, Sara, whom he says makes his career possible.