Behind-the-scenes at Smith Lake

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A good crowd gathered for the first weigh-in at Smith Lake…
A good crowd gathered for the first weigh-in at Smith Lake…
…to watch some of the best bass fishermen in the world weigh in their fish.
…to watch some of the best bass fishermen in the world weigh in their fish.
Matt Lee bags his fish at the end of the day.
Matt Lee bags his fish at the end of the day.
The first flights of anglers begin to line the holding tanks…
The first flights of anglers begin to line the holding tanks…
…but it would be Jordan Lee’s 20-pound, 10-ounce limit that would set the pace.
…but it would be Jordan Lee’s 20-pound, 10-ounce limit that would set the pace.
Not only would Jordan Lee end the day with the lead, he also had the biggest bass weighed, a 7-pound, 13-ounce largemouth he caught off a bed.
Not only would Jordan Lee end the day with the lead, he also had the biggest bass weighed, a 7-pound, 13-ounce largemouth he caught off a bed.
After weighing his fish, the first thing Jimmy Mason did was stop by and buy a barbecue sandwich.
After weighing his fish, the first thing Jimmy Mason did was stop by and buy a barbecue sandwich.
Anglers were shuttled from the parking lot to the weigh-in area in golf carts.
Anglers were shuttled from the parking lot to the weigh-in area in golf carts.
Koby Kreiger shows his best of the day to the spectators.
Koby Kreiger shows his best of the day to the spectators.
There were a lot of photos taken of tournament leader Jordan Lee.
There were a lot of photos taken of tournament leader Jordan Lee.
Being a co-angler requires a lot of planning too, including how to get all your gear gathered up at the end of the day.
Being a co-angler requires a lot of planning too, including how to get all your gear gathered up at the end of the day.
Later flights of anglers begin to build up at the holding tanks.
Later flights of anglers begin to build up at the holding tanks.
Members of high school fishing teams helped facilitate the weigh-in, including members from the Cold Springs fishing team…
Members of high school fishing teams helped facilitate the weigh-in, including members from the Cold Springs fishing team…
…along with the team from Cullman, Alabama.
…along with the team from Cullman, Alabama.
Later flights wait to receive their weigh-in bags.
Later flights wait to receive their weigh-in bags.
A well-prepared professional tournament fishermen always carries a backup trolling motor.
A well-prepared professional tournament fishermen always carries a backup trolling motor.
There are days it takes a little help from your friends to get your bag of fish to the scales.
There are days it takes a little help from your friends to get your bag of fish to the scales.
Gabriel Keen pulled a limit of bass from his livewell that would leave him in 19th place with 15-8.
Gabriel Keen pulled a limit of bass from his livewell that would leave him in 19th place with 15-8.
The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources was at the weigh-in to gather information for a study of the blueback herring that have been illegally introduced into Smith Lake.
The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources was at the weigh-in to gather information for a study of the blueback herring that have been illegally introduced into Smith Lake.
Clay Dyer moves along the holding tanks backstage.
Clay Dyer moves along the holding tanks backstage.
Randall Tharp holds up his best fish of the day.
Randall Tharp holds up his best fish of the day.
Clay Dyer shares with the crowd how he caught his 5-fish limit on Smith Lake. Many call Dyer
Clay Dyer shares with the crowd how he caught his 5-fish limit on Smith Lake. Many call Dyer “the most inspirational fisherman” they have ever met.
Dyers' success on Smith Lake put a smile on the face of the legendary Roland Martin.
Dyers’ success on Smith Lake put a smile on the face of the legendary Roland Martin.
With only one more day to fish in this abbreviated tournament, the leaderboard could make a drastic change Saturday.
With only one more day to fish in this abbreviated tournament, the leaderboard could make a drastic change Saturday.
Mark Daniels, Jr., was the last pro to weigh in.
Mark Daniels, Jr., was the last pro to weigh in.
The last angler of the day received a high-five from Chris Bowes when he stepped onstage. As usual the entire weigh-in can be viewed the following day on Bassmaster.com
The last angler of the day received a high-five from Chris Bowes when he stepped onstage. As usual the entire weigh-in can be viewed the following day on Bassmaster.com