Lee frogs to second Heavy Hitters title, VanDam closes career with $100,000 big bass

For the second time in his career, Jordan Lee hoisted a Heavy Hitters champion trophy belt. Photo by Phoenix Moore

By Mitchell Forde

MLF Press Release

KISSIMMEE, Fla. — The first time Jordan Lee ever tasted tournament victory, competing on Lake Guntersville at age 17, he earned the win throwing a topwater frog. Ever since, he’s continued to hone his skills with his favorite technique, waiting for an opportunity to show them on the national stage.

When he finally got the chance at General Tire Heavy Hitters Presented by Bass Pro Shops on the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes, Lee made sure to take advantage. 

Lee caught each of his seven scorable bass during Thursday’s Championship Round and nearly all his weight throughout the event walking a Berkley Swamp Lord over matted hydrilla on Lake Toho. His 27-pound, 14-ounce final-day total proved just enough to clinch a second Heavy Hitters championship belt.

“It doesn’t get any better,” Lee said. “It literally does not. I won my first tournament ever when I was 17 throwing a frog in stuff like that, and you don’t get the chance in any tournament, really, to throw it over grass like this.”

TOP TEN BELOW

While Lee spent most of the week atop SCORETRACKER®, it took some late heroics for him to overcome an afternoon lull during the Championship Round. With less than 45 minutes remaining before lines out, he caught the scorable bass he needed to retake the lead from Keith Poche, then slammed the door shut by boating a 3-15 with seven minutes remaining. He edged Poche — who hooked and lost a pair of bass that might have erased his deficit, including one in the final five minutes — by 4-4.

The first angler to claim a second Heavy Hitters title, Lee earned $100,000 for the triumph. Meanwhile, Kevin VanDam finished his legendary career on a high note. VanDam claimed the $100,000 prize for the biggest bass of the Championship Round with a 7-12 he caught in the third period.

Here’s how the Top 10 anglers finished the Championship Round:

1. Jordan Lee — 27-14 (7)

2. Keith Poche — 23-10 (5)

3. Matt Becker — 19-4 (5)

4. Kevin VanDam — 18-14 (4)

5. Brandon Coulter — 12-5 (3)

6. Bryan Thrift — 8-7 (2)

7. Todd Faircloth — 8-1 (2)

8. Brent Ehrler — 7-0 (1)

9. Dakota Ebare — 6-12 (2)

10. Alton Jones Jr. — 0-0 (0)

Complete results