Texas Fest: Championship Sunday weigh-in

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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.
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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.

Photo: Nate Sims

Gerald Swindle is the first of the top 12 to make his way to the stage on Championship Sunday.
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Gerald Swindle is the first of the top 12 to make his way to the stage on Championship Sunday.

Photo: Nate Sims

Swindle finished 11th with 69-15.
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Swindle finished 11th with 69-15.

Photo: Nate Sims

Kelly Jaye greets the crowd at the George H. Henderson Jr. Expo Center in Lufkin.
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Kelly Jaye greets the crowd at the George H. Henderson Jr. Expo Center in Lufkin.

Photo: Nate Sims

Jaye (10th, 71-8)
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Jaye (10th, 71-8)

Photo: Nate Sims

Cliff Crochet greets the crowd.
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Cliff Crochet greets the crowd.

Photo: Nate Sims

Crochet (9th, 74-0)
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Crochet (9th, 74-0)

Photo: Nate Sims

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.
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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.

Photo: Nate Sims

Lee reacts as his 20-7 bag, which he quickly accumulated and was reminiscent of the Classic, gave him the lead.
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Lee reacts as his 20-7 bag, which he quickly accumulated and was reminiscent of the Classic, gave him the lead.

Photo: Nate Sims

Lee's total of 77-7 sent Crochet off the hot seat.
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Lee's total of 77-7 sent Crochet off the hot seat.

Photo: Nate Sims

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.
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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.

Photo: Nate Sims

Jason Williamson fell with only 5-8 on Sunday to finish 12th with 63-8.
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Jason Williamson fell with only 5-8 on Sunday to finish 12th with 63-8.

Photo: Nate Sims

Greg Vinson shows his over 21 bass.
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Greg Vinson shows his over 21 bass.

Photo: Nate Sims

Vinson (6th, 76-10)
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Vinson (6th, 76-10)

Photo: Nate Sims

Jason Christie waves to fans.
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Jason Christie waves to fans.

Photo: Nate Sims

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.
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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.

Photo: Nate Sims

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.
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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.

Photo: Nate Sims

Jacob Wheeler again proved he's a force to be reckoned with on the Elites.
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Jacob Wheeler again proved he's a force to be reckoned with on the Elites.

Photo: Nate Sims

The first-year angler, who won the season opener, took third with 83-15.
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The first-year angler, who won the season opener, took third with 83-15.

Photo: Nate Sims

Hank Cherry had an over.
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Hank Cherry had an over.

Photo: Nate Sims

Mercer talks to Cherry about his week, which culminated with a fifth-place finish (77-6).
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Mercer talks to Cherry about his week, which culminated with a fifth-place finish (77-6).

Photo: Nate Sims

Cherry's children, Christian and Bella Grace, bellow out Dad's mission of catching
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Cherry's children, Christian and Bella Grace, bellow out Dad's mission of catching "Gi-gi-giant bass."

Photo: Nate Sims

Brent Ehrler arrives on stage.
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Brent Ehrler arrives on stage.

Photo: Nate Sims

Ehrler has another over bass, but Championship Sunday was the first day he caught less than 20 pounds.
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Ehrler has another over bass, but Championship Sunday was the first day he caught less than 20 pounds.

Photo: Nate Sims

His 19-14 gave him 91-12 and the lead with one angler left.
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His 19-14 gave him 91-12 and the lead with one angler left.

Photo: Nate Sims

Ehrler caught the Toyota Big Bass on Day 1, a 9-1, to win the accompanying prize of a Toyota Tundra.
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Ehrler caught the Toyota Big Bass on Day 1, a 9-1, to win the accompanying prize of a Toyota Tundra.

Photo: Nate Sims

That's a big key, but it is a $50,000 truck.
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That's a big key, but it is a $50,000 truck.

Photo: Nate Sims

Sure a guitar-sized key will have you smiling.
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Sure a guitar-sized key will have you smiling.

Photo: Nate Sims

Day 3 leader Brandon Palaniuk is driven up to the stage.
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Day 3 leader Brandon Palaniuk is driven up to the stage.

Photo: Nate Sims

Palaniuk acknowledges the fans ...
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Palaniuk acknowledges the fans ...

Photo: Nate Sims

... who want to see what he has.
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... who want to see what he has.

Photo: Nate Sims

Mercer first chats with Palaniuk.
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Mercer first chats with Palaniuk.

Photo: Nate Sims

They talk about his week catching big Sam Rayburn bass.
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They talk about his week catching big Sam Rayburn bass.

Photo: Nate Sims

Mercer brings Ehrler up for the deciding moment.
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Mercer brings Ehrler up for the deciding moment.

Photo: Nate Sims

Palaniuk lets out a holler when his 21-12 bag is announced.
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Palaniuk lets out a holler when his 21-12 bag is announced.

Photo: Nate Sims

The two embrace, Palaniuk winning by 2 pounds with 93-12.
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The two embrace, Palaniuk winning by 2 pounds with 93-12.

Photo: Nate Sims

Literally, a big check.
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Literally, a big check.

Photo: Nate Sims

More talk of Palaniuk's week.
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More talk of Palaniuk's week.

Photo: Nate Sims

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Photo: Nate Sims

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Photo: Nate Sims

It's finally trophy time.
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It's finally trophy time.

Photo: Nate Sims

This is Palaniuk's third Elite trophy.
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This is Palaniuk's third Elite trophy.

Photo: Nate Sims

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Photo: Nate Sims

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