B.A.S.S. Junior Championships: World champ's run snapped on rainy day

CAMDEN - Nick Kelly's ho-hum expression told spectators everything they needed to know.

After five hours of fishing had ended at Saturday's Tennessee B.A.S.S. Junior Federation state championship, the normally jovial face of the 18-year-old world champion was replaced by a frown.

After winning a national title and a world title, Kelly's junior career ended abruptly at Birdsong Resort.

Instead of a fourth state crown, Kelly caught only one fish to finish last out of a 10-person field in the 15-18 age division.

Clinton's Jordan Lane caught five bass totaling nine pounds, two ounces to capture the championship. He'll represent the state in the world competition in Birmingham, Ala., next spring.

"Hopefully he can go and defend the title and keep it in Tennessee," said Kelly, whose one bass weighed two pounds, one ounce.

By the time Kelly walked from the weigh station to the awards pavilion, the Haywood High graduate's expression had changed. Any remorse he may have had became invisible as he hung out with his Haywood County Junior Bass Club teammates, including 11-14 age group champion D.J. Frederick.

"I had fun and that's the main thing," Kelly said. "It's no big deal for me. I accomplished all I could. I tried my best and what more can you ask for?"

With several downpours occurring throughout the day, Kelly had trouble finding a spot on Kentucky Lake that he liked. He tried six different locations, none of which brought in the big catch.

Lane, however, found a spot and caught two keepers within the first 15 minutes. He ended the day with 10 catches, but was only allowed to use five toward the competition.

The quick catches helped put Lane's mind at ease, though he did admit to wondering how Kelly was fairing a few times during the course of the competition.

"I just tried to not get intimidated," Lane said. "I tried not to let it get in my head that's he's the world champion and just go out and fish.

"With Nick being a world champion and to come in here and beat him, it feels awesome."

Kelly wasn't the only defending champion to have a bad day. Lane's cousin, Brandon Lane, was the defending 11-14 champion. He came back with no catches.

Like the elder Lane, Frederick caught keepers early on. He ended the day with four catches for a total of five pounds, six ounces.

A Brownsville resident, Frederick, 12, plans to display his trophy at the Sportsman's Connection, the sporting goods store owned by his parents.

And the best part about his family owning a sporting goods store?

"I get supplied," Frederick said.

While Frederick has several years ahead of him, Kelly now must decide whether to go pro because he's no longer eligible for junior competitions. He'll spend the next two years at Jackson State Community College before deciding.

"I'm just going to do my own thing and hopefully go pro some day," he said.

-By RYAN BEVITZ
rbevitz@jacksonsun.com
425-9636
Originally published July 30, 2006