You bet there’s crying in fishing.
It’s mostly seen when veterans win, especially after ending a drought, or someone finally qualifies for the Classic. There can be tears of sorrow after missed chances at a title or AOY, too. Then there’s winning the pinnacle event in bass fishing … for the second time … in succession … at the ripe old age of 26.
Jordan Lee broke into those proverbial tears of joy several times after winning the 2018 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods. A year after his record comeback in Texas, Lee again came from nowhere to take the title on Lake Hartwell.
Most of us probably understand how winning a major event could elicit such emotion. Psychologists have tried to explain “tears of joy” as the body’s way of restoring some “emotional equilibrium,” and there have been papers written, like “Dimorphous Expressions of Positive Emotion.” Say what?
How about we get it straight from the horse’s mouth. After an incredible celebration, complete with jumps, fist pumps and screams as he bounded around the stage, Lee knelt down and bowed next to the trophy as the last rectangles of confetti fluttered down around him. It was a reverent pose.
Rested and thoughts reverting to jubilation mode, he jumped up and once again lifted the wood and metal behemoth over his head and hollered to the crowd in the Bon Secours Wellness Arena. During his victory lap with fiancée Kristen Agnew, he was seen head down sobbing. When he looked up, his contorted face showed how overcome he was.
“I just care so much about the sport, my family, everybody that’s here,” he said later. “All these people are here to cheer you on. That means so much to me, that’s why I get teared up and get emotional when I see the fans.
“I’m just a kid. This is my dream. I’m 26. I’m not used to being in the limelight.”
Lee has remained one of the more quiet pros, mostly only animated when he talks about catching fish, or more specifically, how he caught his fish. Otherwise, he’s low-key, doesn’t say too much and seems to choose his words judiciously. This big moment knocked him over, and Kevin VanDam knows exactly why.
“It’s because he truly understand and cares. It’s respect of the game,” said KVD, adding he was similarly overcome after most of his Classic wins, especially No. 4. “It was emotional because I knew what it meant, and to be able to watch my family, it was like it was for them.”
At the 2011 Classic on the Louisiana Delta, KVD got somewhat excited then tearful as he matched Rick Clunn with four titles and back-to-back wins, only the second to do that. Lee joined them with consecutive crowns, and he also became the sixth angler to win more than one Classic. He’s in an exclusive fraternity with the aforementioned, Bobby Murray, Hank Parker and George Cochran.
VanDam waited inside the arena to congratulate Lee and was there an hour or so later at the Champion’s Toast. Shortly after B.A.S.S. CEO Bruce Akin introduced the 2018 champion, Lee stumbled in his speech in front of many other competitors, sponsors, media and B.A.S.S. personnel. He began by thanking Agnew for keeping his mind right.
“From what I’ve learned, the mental game has to be there. She kept it up for me. I had a huge following today. Gavin (Ellis) is here. This guy here …” he said before getting a bit verklempt again. “ … he taught me how to fish. I fished my first tournament with Gavin. I was probably like 12 years old. He’s been out here following me all week. It was pretty special to do it for him, and do it for my family.
“Sorry. Gosh, I wish I didn’t friggin’ cry so much, especially in front of friends and family. Golly, now cheer me up a little bit, dammit. I’m cheerful, but it’s just emotional. It’s just so awesome to be up here.”
A receiving line of sorts followed, with many in the industry congratulating him. Sponsors from Carhartt and Ranger boats were among those who posed with him and his newest hardware. Anglers came to salute their sport’s reigning king.
Lee said he hopes the other Elites don’t start hating on him for his success. Maybe not exactly hate because KVD’s so kind to everyone, but it’s certain jealousy was pointed his way during his dominating run.
“I know, and now they’re going to do it to me,” Lee said. “And I don’t want to be the hated guy. I like all these guys.”
While he was predicted to excel in the Elites after successes in the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series, Lee has excelled beyond his wildest dreams. Nobody in the modern era can boast a .500 (2 for 4) winning percentage in Classics. Lee also topped the $1 million mark, and in just 52 tournaments.
What’s wilder is Lee said he didn’t think he had a chance to win either Classic heading into the final day. It’s not as if he lucked into them, but some good fortune went his way while it escaped others. He knows one fish could have changed the outcome. He’s grateful, appreciative and seems to understand the historical significance of what he’s accomplished, ergo the overwhelming emotion.
“I’m humbled by it,” he said. “I know how hard it is. I see all these great fishermen that haven’t won the Classic, and they’re right here. It bothers me. I have (won) twice now. I would almost rather have Aaron Martens win one than me another.”
That’s a nice sentiment, but we’ll have to call liar, crier, pants on fire. You know Lee would relish being the first to three-peat, and it’d surely once again bring the waterworks.
From catching baseballs to hawgs
Lee grew up in Cullman, Ala., and played little league baseball. He was the catcher on the “green team” with Gavin Ellis, whose father was the coach.
“That’s where I first met him,” Ellis said. “He was just talking about how he liked fishing. I liked fishing, too.”
It wasn’t long before the two began fishing together on Lake Catoma out of an aluminum johnboat with a 10-hp motor. Then came tournaments.
“He was a natural,” Ellis said. “I could just tell, once he started fishing with me, not only did he have a huge passion for it and was really talented, he just has what it takes.
“I don’t think even he could explain it — he’s just a natural. He was really into it and the more he fished, the better he got. It was just obvious that he had a knack for it, a gift. A gift is the right word.”
Ellis got to watch that gift, that special something he helped facilitate, unfold on Lake Hartwell. He was awestruck by his longtime friend.
“Mike Iaconelli and Kevin VanDam, there were our idols when we were kids,” Ellis said. “They were people we’d only see in the magazine and sometimes on TV. And now he’s fishing against them and winning the Classic? We’d never imagine that ever happening. But he deserves it. I’m so proud of him.”
With friends like Ellis, it’s actually kind of easy to see why Lee gets so choked up.