Cullman’s Lee — a Bassmaster Classic champion at age 25 (Update)
Jordan Lee didn’t know if he had much of a chance as he set off bright and early during Sunday’s final round of the Bassmaster Classic.
After two days of tough fishing, the 25-year-old Cullman High graduate found himself sitting in 15th place, trailing leader Brent Ehrler by nearly 14 pounds with only a handful of hours to make up the mountainous deficit.
The only thing Lee could do was keep his head down, his optimism up and his line in the waters of Houston’s Lake Conroe, hoping and praying for a miracle and a comeback the size of Texas itself.
Lee — who competed in his first Bassmaster Classic as a member of Auburn University’s fishing team in 2013, who reeled in 8 pounds and 6 ounces on Friday and who dealt with engine trouble on Sunday that left him rooted to one particular spot — accomplished a task most would’ve considered impossible given the high-stakes situation and difficult circumstances.
Instead of wilting under the huge pressure, however, Lee rose to the challenge with authority, hauling in an astonishing five-fish total of 27 pounds, 4 ounces to surge up the leaderboard and past the competition en route to earning the 2017 Bassmaster Classic title, to go along with a check for $300,000 and a fancy trophy unlikely to leave his possession any time soon.
His three-day weight of 56-10 bested runner-up Steve Kennedy (55-1) and Ehrler (54-14) to put the finishing touches on the biggest final-day comeback in Bassmaster Classic history.
“To all of the guys fishing the college tournaments right now, this just says you can do it,” Lee told Bassmaster.com following his excellent triumph. “It’s hard work — and you’re going to have a lot of days out here that aren’t good. On this lake, I wasn’t sure there was any way I could do it. But you’re never out of it here.”
After catching only three fish on Friday, Lee returned to a position he found during practice — a point with a hard bottom — and ended up capturing four big ones after having nothing to show for his earlier efforts.
“With zero in the box at noon on the second day, I went back to that spot and caught a 7-and-a-half-pounder on the first cast,” said Lee. “When I was landing that fish, there was a whole school of 5- and 6-pounders that came with it.”
The hefty bag — 21 pounds — skyrocketed him to 15th place and guaranteed him a spot in Sunday’s Top 25.
Lee ran into engine troubles on Sunday, forcing him to fish in a small area of Lake Conroe. Fortunately, he was able to grab a ride back to weigh-ins with Cullman native Joe McElroy, who was spectating and taking photographs of Lee’s outing. The Bassmaster Classic allowed McElroy to assist Lee so long as the latter didn’t fish out of the former’s boat.
Then came the waiting.
Lee, who weighed in earlier, had to anxiously watch from the hot seat as both Kennedy and Ehrler failed to surpass his overall total.
Several attempts to reach Lee and/or members of his family were unsuccessful.
However, Cullman fishing coach Kyle Morris made the long drive to Houston in support of Lee and couldn’t have been happier to watch a fellow Bearcat bask in his deserving glory.
Don’t be surprised if Lee’s newfound stardom keeps him busy for the foreseeable future.
“It is awesome,” said Morris, who was joined by members of his high school squad. “They were beside themselves. We go every year to learn and help out. Texts started coming that Jordan was moving up. We did not think he could come back that far, because the previous record was 11 (pounds) back.
“It’s the Super Bowl. He’ll be on all the talk shows for a long time. Everybody remembers these moments. They will all be burned into the memories of the sport. The greatest comeback ever is something great to be a part of.”
Morris added being around an angler of Lee’s ability is inspiring for the students. Although he’s not the only local guy doing well, Lee just happens to be “on another level” when it comes to fishing.
For Cullman’s John Brown, Lee’s journey from humble beginnings to the professional ranks inspires those in the area to chase whatever dreams they may have, especially when it comes to angling.
Because who knows what might just happen?
“Growing up, the Lee’s have always been close to Cullman,” the senior fishing team member said. “They are real good people. We have always rubbed elbows with Jordan or Matt in the past. It gives Cullman a big boost. It makes it special that a local boy can win it. It really puts Cullman on the map. Young guys like me know we can do that now if we put our nose to the grindstone.”