Behind the Scenes

Rather than just a stage shot...today (5/7/09) I'm taking you

behind the stage where most people don't go.

On the dock, waiting around for a weigh-in bag.

This is where the recap drama "ones that got away"

"ones landed" stories are shared.

BASS only passes out the number that can fit

in the tanks behind stage. With the numbers caught

today...there was a wait.

Part of the excellent "fish care" procedures.
(No they don't eat the fish, catch & release)

The long walk from the boat to the backstage.

Steve stopped for a kiss, and said with a smile,

"I got my butt kicked!"

Fish weight plus the water weight in a bag make for some

interesting fishermen waddles. Steve has the arm out

for balance, strain to the side going for him.

After the bump table, standing in line for the stage.

(Bump table is where they transfer fish from red vinyl bags,

to bags with holes in them for tanks. They also check fish

to make sure alive and legal length or type)

This is also where everybody looks at all the other bags!

And yes...more fish stories.

Last stop before going on stage.
Fish in aerated tanks.

Steve realizes how everybody really whacked them!

You can see the stage backdrop from here.

Up on stage...weight 17-7.

Normally that would be huge.

Not here, not today!
Steve ends up in 79th place.
Little bit of a hill to climb, but all good!

He endures it with a shrug and a smile.

It still wasn't a bad day of fishing!

[Go back to the above photo...

17-7 fish + water(1gal=8lbs) = HEAVY]

Ok, so here's Ken Cook.

Big congratulations on his day.

He had a fabulous day fishing putting 29-2 in his live wells.

He had "big bass" for the day

(one fish bigger than anyone else)

that was 8-5! Nice. That's how you get 4th place!
I was lucky to catch him right after he exited stage.

Leaning up against the barrier talking to media.

Another cool shot. Aaron's hands...

He caught so many bass(they have teeth)

his hands were shredded!

He weighed in 29-2, tied with Ken.