Max’s magic ruler

Max Leatherwood has one of the most important jobs at B.A.S.S.

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<p>Max Leatherwood of Prattville, Ala., has worked Bassmaster tournament bump stations for 7 years. He was at Wolf Creek Park in Grove, Okla., bumping anglers for the 2013 Bassmaster Classic.</p>
Max Leatherwood of Prattville, Ala., has worked Bassmaster tournament bump stations for 7 years. He was at Wolf Creek Park in Grove, Okla., bumping anglers for the 2013 Bassmaster Classic.
<p>Leatherwood watches for cross traffic, spectators and boats leaving the main parking lot, as he directs the next boat driver in line to move up. He used the ladder to climb aboard each of the anglers’ boats.</p>
Leatherwood watches for cross traffic, spectators and boats leaving the main parking lot, as he directs the next boat driver in line to move up. He used the ladder to climb aboard each of the anglers’ boats.
<p>Leatherwood’s job is to check the health of each anglers’ fish, measure any questionable fish and send a report to weigh-in officials.</p>
Leatherwood’s job is to check the health of each anglers’ fish, measure any questionable fish and send a report to weigh-in officials.
<p>Oftentimes, he came up dripping ice cold water. The coldest Classic had him plunging his hands into water in the low 40s.</p>
Oftentimes, he came up dripping ice cold water. The coldest Classic had him plunging his hands into water in the low 40s.
<p>Some anglers, like John Crews, watched Leatherwood work, telling him which livewell(s) held his fish.</p>
Some anglers, like John Crews, watched Leatherwood work, telling him which livewell(s) held his fish.
<p>Others, like Boyd Duckett, refueled after their long, cold day on the water and let Leatherwood conduct his business.</p>
Others, like Boyd Duckett, refueled after their long, cold day on the water and let Leatherwood conduct his business.
<p>Matt Herren watches Leatherwood put one of his fish on the board.</p>
Matt Herren watches Leatherwood put one of his fish on the board.
<p>Herren is all smiles after it stretched over the 14-inch mark.</p>
Herren is all smiles after it stretched over the 14-inch mark.
<p>Hank Cherry stood tall during his fish check, just as he did on the water to finish third in the Classic.</p>
Hank Cherry stood tall during his fish check, just as he did on the water to finish third in the Classic.
<p>Bill Lowen bags his fish, making things easier on Leatherwood.</p>
Bill Lowen bags his fish, making things easier on Leatherwood.
<p>Tracy Adams, who was fifth after Day One with 19-10 and finished sixth, keeps a close eye on his fish.</p>
Tracy Adams, who was fifth after Day One with 19-10 and finished sixth, keeps a close eye on his fish.
<p>While Leatherwood checks his 19-12 bag on Day One, Kevin VanDam goes about his business of cleaning up his boat deck for the ride to Tulsa.</p>
While Leatherwood checks his 19-12 bag on Day One, Kevin VanDam goes about his business of cleaning up his boat deck for the ride to Tulsa.
<p>Having Leatherwood spend more than a minute or two on the boat isn’t what an angler strives for. Here, Leatherwood puts the nose on the riser to measure one of Brandon Card’s five fish on Day Two.</p>
Having Leatherwood spend more than a minute or two on the boat isn’t what an angler strives for. Here, Leatherwood puts the nose on the riser to measure one of Brandon Card’s five fish on Day Two.
<p>Three of Card’s five fish required a measurement, and this one’s caudal fin barely touched the mark making it legal.</p>
Three of Card’s five fish required a measurement, and this one’s caudal fin barely touched the mark making it legal.
<p>Mike Iaconelli has a moment for everybody, including a quick chat with Leatherwood.</p>
Mike Iaconelli has a moment for everybody, including a quick chat with Leatherwood.
<p>Brent Chapman, the reigning Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year, exits his truck to visit with Leatherwood.</p>
Brent Chapman, the reigning Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year, exits his truck to visit with Leatherwood.
<p>No measurements were needed for most of the fish. Leatherwood simply counted them  and moved them from one livewell to the other when necessary.</p>
No measurements were needed for most of the fish. Leatherwood simply counted them  and moved them from one livewell to the other when necessary.
<p>Fans took the line of anglers waiting to bump as an opportunity. Several hundred fans were at Wolf Creek to watch the anglers take out, and many moved to line the roadway to watch.  Here, KVD signs autographs.</p>
Fans took the line of anglers waiting to bump as an opportunity. Several hundred fans were at Wolf Creek to watch the anglers take out, and many moved to line the roadway to watch.  Here, KVD signs autographs.
<p>One of the more interesting occurrences at the bump station was when Cliff Pace arrived on Day Two. He appears to have his fish bagged for Leatherwood.</p>
One of the more interesting occurrences at the bump station was when Cliff Pace arrived on Day Two. He appears to have his fish bagged for Leatherwood.
<p>Then Pace reaches into his livewell and pulls out two fish…</p>
Then Pace reaches into his livewell and pulls out two fish…
<p>… and shows them to the crowd, which gave out a huge roar of approval.</p>
… and shows them to the crowd, which gave out a huge roar of approval.
<p>Pace allows a photographer to get close as he reveals his 7-2 and 6-13 bass that helped him to the Classic’s largest bag of 21-12.</p>
Pace allows a photographer to get close as he reveals his 7-2 and 6-13 bass that helped him to the Classic’s largest bag of 21-12.
<p>Pace, who went on to win his first Classic, digs into another livewell for another nice bass he displayed to the crowd.</p>
Pace, who went on to win his first Classic, digs into another livewell for another nice bass he displayed to the crowd.
<p>Max and his magic ruler were the anglers’ last official B.A.S.S. contact in Grove. When he was finished, he signaled they were OK to go by telling them, “Straight to Tulsa.”</p>
Max and his magic ruler were the anglers’ last official B.A.S.S. contact in Grove. When he was finished, he signaled they were OK to go by telling them, “Straight to Tulsa.”