2008 Elite Bluegrass Brawl: Day Three, Behind the Scenes

Wade Grooms comes to the weigh-in early for fish care. As he waits he is interviewed by veteran BASS writer Louie Stout.

Mark Menendez signs an autograph for Bryce Newsom backstage.

Wade Grooms holds up two Kentucky Lake bass that helped him to a fifth place Day Three finish.

Kevin VanDam jumps from the bow of his boat headed to weigh in. He has led the Bluegrass Brawl wire to wire and holds a 6 pound, 13 ounce lead over Rick Clunn.

Rick Clunn sacks one of the bass that propelled him into second place behind Kevin VanDam.

Fish care has been a very important issue during the tournament. Pros use super oxygenated water and ice to help revive the lethargic bass.

The legend Rick Clunn holds up one of his larger bass for the media just prior to walking on stage.

Rick Clunn shows the crowd one of the bass that would help him to a three day total of 61 pounds, 7 ounces, good for second place going into the final day.

Pros wait for an opening so they can park behind the stage where they will weigh in.

The traffic gets heavier as other flights arrive to the weigh-in area.

Pros, fans, and media mix backstage to see how the leader board will shake out.

Gerald Swindle bags a bass as the sun beats down in Kentucky. Swindle would finish the Bluegrass Brawl in 25th place.

Peter Thliveros finds a place to park as he brings his limit to the weigh-in. He would place 27th in the Bluegrass Brawl presented by DieHard Platinum Marine Batteries.

Scoot Rook steps from his boat with a limit of fish that weighed 17 pounds 13 ounces, good for 22nd place.

Britt Myers signs an autograph for Brandon Wigand backstage. He would finish the Bluegrass Brawl in a three way tie for 18th place.

Gary Klein is rushed by fans backstage as he kneels down to sign autographs.

The Elite Twelve is presented to the crowd, with the top two, Rick Clunn and Kevin VanDam being billed as one of the biggest match-ups in the history of BASS.

Rick Clunn and Kevin VanDam stand for media photos on stage. The final day of the Bluegrass Brawl will go down in history as one of BASS’ most exciting events.

BASS officials use ice to cool the water which will help the bass recover quickly before being released back into Kentucky Lake.

Kevin VanDam is one of the first pros back to the weigh-in as the first flight arrives.

Timmy Horton bags one of the Kentucky Lake bass that helped him to a third place finish behind Rick Clunn.

Kevin VanDam sacks up one more reason why he has led the Bluegrass Brawl through each day of the event, taking it wire-to-wire going into the final day.

Kenyon Hill stuffs another Kentucky Lake largemouth into the sack. Hill finished Day Three in ninth place and will compete tomorrow against 11 other pros for the first place $100,000 purse.

Kevin VanDam is interviewed by veteran BASS writer Louie Stout as the pros make their way onto the stage to weigh their fish.

Paul Elias, the four-day heavyweight record-holder, loads his bag with Kentucky Lake bass. He finished Day Three in fourth place with 58 pounds, 14 ounces.

This is prime waterfront real estate on Kentucky Lake.

Zell Rowland makes his way to the stage. He finished the day in 41st place.

Aaron Martens takes a look at one of his Kentucky Lake keepers. He would finish the day in a heartbreaking 14th place. Only the top 12 will fish on the final day.

Jason Quinn and Dustin Wilks wait in the heat for a spot on the bank so they can weigh in.

BASS fans braved the heat to watch the best bass fishermen in the world compete on Kentucky Lake.

Scott Rook bags a nice Kentucky Lake smallmouth bass. Rook would end up 22nd overall for the Bluegrass Brawl.

Denny Brauer signs autographs along with Gary Klein as he comes off stage.