Texas Fest: Championship Sunday weigh-in

Dave Mercer speaks with TPWD's Dave Terre to open the final day weigh-in of the Toyota Bassmaster Texas Fest benefiting the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
Dave Mercer speaks with TPWD’s Dave Terre to open the final day weigh-in of the Toyota Bassmaster Texas Fest benefiting the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
Gerald Swindle is the first of the top 12 to make his way to the stage on Championship Sunday.
Gerald Swindle is the first of the top 12 to make his way to the stage on Championship Sunday.
Swindle finished 11th with 69-15.
Swindle finished 11th with 69-15.
Kelly Jaye greets the crowd at the George H. Henderson Jr. Expo Center in Lufkin.
Kelly Jaye greets the crowd at the George H. Henderson Jr. Expo Center in Lufkin.
Jaye (10th, 71-8)
Jaye (10th, 71-8)
Cliff Crochet greets the crowd.
Cliff Crochet greets the crowd.
Crochet (9th, 74-0)
Crochet (9th, 74-0)
Jordan Lee, who rallied on the final day to win the Classic, tried again. He shows off a fish over 21 inches long, a requirement to bring one to the stage.
Jordan Lee, who rallied on the final day to win the Classic, tried again. He shows off a fish over 21 inches long, a requirement to bring one to the stage.
Lee reacts as his 20-7 bag, which he quickly accumulated and was reminiscent of the Classic, gave him the lead.
Lee reacts as his 20-7 bag, which he quickly accumulated and was reminiscent of the Classic, gave him the lead.
Lee's total of 77-7 sent Crochet off the hot seat.
Lee’s total of 77-7 sent Crochet off the hot seat.
Alton Jones Jr. had a great event, finishing eighth with 74-9, to get himself back in contention to vie for a Classic spot via AOY points.
Alton Jones Jr. had a great event, finishing eighth with 74-9, to get himself back in contention to vie for a Classic spot via AOY points.
Jason Williamson fell with only 5-8 on Sunday to finish 12th with 63-8.
Jason Williamson fell with only 5-8 on Sunday to finish 12th with 63-8.
Greg Vinson shows his over 21 bass.
Greg Vinson shows his over 21 bass.
Vinson (6th, 76-10)
Vinson (6th, 76-10)
Jason Christie waves to fans.
Jason Christie waves to fans.
Christie was the star of a viral video as a hook embedded in his palm had to be pushed through by Shaw Grigsby and assistants. The video has garnered almost 3 million views.
Christie was the star of a viral video as a hook embedded in his palm had to be pushed through by Shaw Grigsby and assistants. The video has garnered almost 3 million views.
Christie, who finished 7th, with 74-14, earned Toyota's $1,000 bonus for leading the AOY race. He picked up 30 points this week.
Christie, who finished 7th, with 74-14, earned Toyota’s $1,000 bonus for leading the AOY race. He picked up 30 points this week.
Jacob Wheeler again proved he's a force to be reckoned with on the Elites.
Jacob Wheeler again proved he’s a force to be reckoned with on the Elites.
The first-year angler, who won the season opener, took third with 83-15.
The first-year angler, who won the season opener, took third with 83-15.
Hank Cherry had an over.
Hank Cherry had an over.
Mercer talks to Cherry about his week, which culminated with a fifth-place finish (77-6).
Mercer talks to Cherry about his week, which culminated with a fifth-place finish (77-6).
Cherry's children, Christian and Bella Grace, bellow out Dad's mission of catching
Cherry’s children, Christian and Bella Grace, bellow out Dad’s mission of catching “Gi-gi-giant bass.”
Brent Ehrler arrives on stage.
Brent Ehrler arrives on stage.
Ehrler has another over bass, but Championship Sunday was the first day he caught less than 20 pounds.
Ehrler has another over bass, but Championship Sunday was the first day he caught less than 20 pounds.
His 19-14 gave him 91-12 and the lead with one angler left.
His 19-14 gave him 91-12 and the lead with one angler left.
Ehrler caught the Toyota Big Bass on Day 1, a 9-1, to win the accompanying prize of a Toyota Tundra.
Ehrler caught the Toyota Big Bass on Day 1, a 9-1, to win the accompanying prize of a Toyota Tundra.
That's a big key, but it is a $50,000 truck.
That’s a big key, but it is a $50,000 truck.
Sure a guitar-sized key will have you smiling.
Sure a guitar-sized key will have you smiling.
Day 3 leader Brandon Palaniuk is driven up to the stage.
Day 3 leader Brandon Palaniuk is driven up to the stage.
Palaniuk acknowledges the fans ...
Palaniuk acknowledges the fans …
... who want to see what he has.
… who want to see what he has.
Mercer first chats with Palaniuk.
Mercer first chats with Palaniuk.
They talk about his week catching big Sam Rayburn bass.
They talk about his week catching big Sam Rayburn bass.
Mercer brings Ehrler up for the deciding moment.
Mercer brings Ehrler up for the deciding moment.
Palaniuk lets out a holler when his 21-12 bag is announced.
Palaniuk lets out a holler when his 21-12 bag is announced.
The two embrace, Palaniuk winning by 2 pounds with 93-12.
The two embrace, Palaniuk winning by 2 pounds with 93-12.
Literally, a big check.
Literally, a big check.
More talk of Palaniuk's week.
More talk of Palaniuk’s week.
It's finally trophy time.
It’s finally trophy time.
This is Palaniuk's third Elite trophy.
This is Palaniuk’s third Elite trophy.