Nation: Day 3 weigh-in

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After three long, hot days of fishing on the Winyah Bay system in coastal South Carolina, anglers gathered again Friday for the final weigh-in of the Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation Eastern Regional presented by Magellan Outdoors. Only 112 competitors in a field of 346 survived the cut to fish on Friday. Here, the first flight of anglers gather at the tanks at Carroll Ashmore Campbell Marine Complex in Georgetown, S.C.
After three long, hot days of fishing on the Winyah Bay system in coastal South Carolina, anglers gathered again Friday for the final weigh-in of the Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation Eastern Regional presented by Magellan Outdoors. Only 112 competitors in a field of 346 survived the cut to fish on Friday. Here, the first flight of anglers gather at the tanks at Carroll Ashmore Campbell Marine Complex in Georgetown, S.C.
The final day tends to be filled with anticipation.
The final day tends to be filled with anticipation.
They wonder if what they have in their bag is enough to win the tournament. They’ll soon find out.
They wonder if what they have in their bag is enough to win the tournament. They’ll soon find out.
But first, a few words from Sel Hemingway, Georgetown County Administrator. The county is hosting the tournament. B.A.S.S. Nation Director Jon Stewart told Hemingway the county is one of the most efficient and gracious hosts B.A.S.S. visits.
But first, a few words from Sel Hemingway, Georgetown County Administrator. The county is hosting the tournament. B.A.S.S. Nation Director Jon Stewart told Hemingway the county is one of the most efficient and gracious hosts B.A.S.S. visits.
This young fan is just ready to see some big bass!
This young fan is just ready to see some big bass!
And they’re soon to come. But first, everyone pauses for the National Anthem.
And they’re soon to come. But first, everyone pauses for the National Anthem.
There’s Paul Gietka of Maryland who finished fifth in the boater division with a three-day total of 26 pounds, 13 ounces. Boaters could weigh five bass per day, and non-boaters could weigh three bass.
There’s Paul Gietka of Maryland who finished fifth in the boater division with a three-day total of 26 pounds, 13 ounces. Boaters could weigh five bass per day, and non-boaters could weigh three bass.
Speaking of non-boaters, how about the showing by hometown angler Stacey Proctor Jefferson? She finished second overall in the division with a three-day total of 15-13.
Speaking of non-boaters, how about the showing by hometown angler Stacey Proctor Jefferson? She finished second overall in the division with a three-day total of 15-13.
Chris Jones of South Carolina placed eighth among boaters with a 23-12 total.
Chris Jones of South Carolina placed eighth among boaters with a 23-12 total.
Norman Mullinax had a great tournament. The North Carolina angler finished third in the boater division with a 29-2 total. He caught a 10-13 limit on Friday, which was the third heaviest bag of the day.
Norman Mullinax had a great tournament. The North Carolina angler finished third in the boater division with a 29-2 total. He caught a 10-13 limit on Friday, which was the third heaviest bag of the day.
The day was good enough that Stewart wanted to ask Mullinax all about it.
The day was good enough that Stewart wanted to ask Mullinax all about it.
Patrick Martin of Vermont had this 4-9 beauty on Friday, which helped him to a 17th place finish among boaters (20-8 overall.)
Patrick Martin of Vermont had this 4-9 beauty on Friday, which helped him to a 17th place finish among boaters (20-8 overall.)
It’s Jake Haas of New Jersey who finished fifth in the non-boater division with a 14-11 total over three days.
It’s Jake Haas of New Jersey who finished fifth in the non-boater division with a 14-11 total over three days.
Every B.A.S.S. tournament is only as good as the fans and volunteers. Pictured are Waccamaw High School anglers, from left, T.J. McKenzie, Michael Paglio and Matt Caines.
Every B.A.S.S. tournament is only as good as the fans and volunteers. Pictured are Waccamaw High School anglers, from left, T.J. McKenzie, Michael Paglio and Matt Caines.
Here’s more proof of the family atmosphere that runs through each B.A.S.S. event – West Virginia boater Tyler Webb and his young daughter. Oh, and nice bass too. Webb finished fourth in his division with a three-day total of 27-15.
Here’s more proof of the family atmosphere that runs through each B.A.S.S. event – West Virginia boater Tyler Webb and his young daughter. Oh, and nice bass too. Webb finished fourth in his division with a three-day total of 27-15.
And how about Mark Hogan? Fresh off winning a team championship with Team Delaware a day earlier, Hogan is all smiles Friday with a tournament best 15-9 limit. That gave him a 31-15 total for the tournament. The fish on the left weighed 5-4.
And how about Mark Hogan? Fresh off winning a team championship with Team Delaware a day earlier, Hogan is all smiles Friday with a tournament best 15-9 limit. That gave him a 31-15 total for the tournament. The fish on the left weighed 5-4.
After weighing the bass for Big Bass honors, Hogan reacts when his catch is one ounce shy of the 5-5 bass caught a day earlier by Pennsylvania’s Brad Bressler.
After weighing the bass for Big Bass honors, Hogan reacts when his catch is one ounce shy of the 5-5 bass caught a day earlier by Pennsylvania’s Brad Bressler.
It’s OK, Mark. You now have the heaviest total of the tournament and into the Hot Seat you go!
It’s OK, Mark. You now have the heaviest total of the tournament and into the Hot Seat you go!
That’s more like it. Thumbs up, Mark!
That’s more like it. Thumbs up, Mark!
That’s an idea of Hogan’s view from the Hot Seat. He had a bird’s eye view of competing anglers as they filed across the stage, all hoping to knock him from his perch.
That’s an idea of Hogan’s view from the Hot Seat. He had a bird’s eye view of competing anglers as they filed across the stage, all hoping to knock him from his perch.
Cameron Smith of Massachusetts had a nice 9-1 bag on Friday, but not nearly enough to catch Hogan. Smith placed 18th among boaters with 20-7 overall.
Cameron Smith of Massachusetts had a nice 9-1 bag on Friday, but not nearly enough to catch Hogan. Smith placed 18th among boaters with 20-7 overall.
Jeff Hager of North Carolina caught 11-3 on Friday, which was second only to Hogan. He finished seventh among boaters with 24-7.
Jeff Hager of North Carolina caught 11-3 on Friday, which was second only to Hogan. He finished seventh among boaters with 24-7.
Mark Cavanaugh of Ontario, Canada had a nice day with an 8-13 sack, but he finished 23rd with 19-13 overall in the boater field.
Mark Cavanaugh of Ontario, Canada had a nice day with an 8-13 sack, but he finished 23rd with 19-13 overall in the boater field.
We’re down to the nitty gritty. Proctor Jefferson has been in the non-boater hot seat for a long time and only tournament leader Gary Pope of Georgetown can bump her off.
We’re down to the nitty gritty. Proctor Jefferson has been in the non-boater hot seat for a long time and only tournament leader Gary Pope of Georgetown can bump her off.
Pope appears to be saying a little prayer.
Pope appears to be saying a little prayer.
Whatever it was worked. Pope weighed only 3-9 on Friday, but it was enough to slip back past Proctor Jefferson for the non-boater title. Pope caught a limit each day for a total of nine bass weighing 17-6.
Whatever it was worked. Pope weighed only 3-9 on Friday, but it was enough to slip back past Proctor Jefferson for the non-boater title. Pope caught a limit each day for a total of nine bass weighing 17-6.
The two both fished for Team South Carolina this week, which was runner-up in the team competition.
The two both fished for Team South Carolina this week, which was runner-up in the team competition.
B.A.S.S. official Hank Weldon hands the winner’s trophy to Pope.
B.A.S.S. official Hank Weldon hands the winner’s trophy to Pope.
And Pope promptly hoisted it over his head for the crowd to see.
And Pope promptly hoisted it over his head for the crowd to see.
South Carolina’s Gary Pope is champion of the Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation Eastern Regional presented by Magellan Outdoors.
South Carolina’s Gary Pope is champion of the Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation Eastern Regional presented by Magellan Outdoors.
Pope shares a bit of his week’s highlights with Stewart and the fans.
Pope shares a bit of his week’s highlights with Stewart and the fans.
Now it’s time for Hogan to spin in the Hot Seat. Stewart calls him front and center with only one angler remaining.
Now it’s time for Hogan to spin in the Hot Seat. Stewart calls him front and center with only one angler remaining.
That’s Florida’s Dave Turner, middle, who led the tournament after both Day 1 and Day 2. Turner’s look says it all though.
That’s Florida’s Dave Turner, middle, who led the tournament after both Day 1 and Day 2. Turner’s look says it all though.
He didn’t have the bass to catch Hogan on Friday.
He didn’t have the bass to catch Hogan on Friday.
An elated Hogan throws his arms in the air.
An elated Hogan throws his arms in the air.
And he’s all smiles as the crowd shouts its approval.
And he’s all smiles as the crowd shouts its approval.
Turner caught a very nice limit of 9-0 on Friday. It wasn’t enough to hold on for the tournament win, but kudos to him for a classy showing throughout.
Turner caught a very nice limit of 9-0 on Friday. It wasn’t enough to hold on for the tournament win, but kudos to him for a classy showing throughout.
And major kudos to Delaware’s Mark Hogan, the boater champion in the Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation Eastern Regional presented by Magellan Outdoors!
And major kudos to Delaware’s Mark Hogan, the boater champion in the Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation Eastern Regional presented by Magellan Outdoors!