Christie overtaken again on final day
GREENVILLE, S.C. — Oklahoma pro Jason Christie started fishing Sunday with nearly a 5-pound lead in the Bassmaster Classic.
But for the second time in three years in professional bass fishing's biggest tournament, Christie couldn't hang on for the victory on the last day.
Alabama angler Jordan Lee jumped from sixth to first on Sunday, winning the Bassmaster Classic for the second straight year. He weighed in 16 pounds, 5 ounces on Sunday to finish with a three-day total of 47 pounds, 1 ounce.
Christie, after leading the tournament on Lake Hartwell the first two days, caught just 8 pounds, 11 ounces on Sunday and finished third with 45 pounds, 15 ounces. He only weighed-in four fish Sunday, one short of the five-fish limit.
Two years ago, Christie led the Bassmaster Classic on Oklahoma's Grand Lake entering the last day but was overtaken by fellow Oklahoma pro Edwin Evers.
“It sucks to lose, with a big lead, two out of the last three years,” a clearly crest-fallen Christie said Sunday.
It was a disappointing Sunday for the two other Oklahoma anglers in the field as well. Evers started Sunday in second place, but the Talala pro fell to 12th after catching just 9 pounds.
James Elam started the day in fourth, but finished 11th after boating just 9 pounds, 9 ounces on Sunday.
"Things just changed today," Elam said.
Lee earned $300,00 with the victory. California pro Brent Erhler finished second with a threeday total of 46 pounds, 1 ounce.