"I don’t drink, but I could use a stiff one right now!" Those words from PAA Pro, Duke Jenkel, as he sat in the Phoenix Boat “hot seat” during the final day of the Carrot Stix PAA Series presented by Phoenix Boats on Alabama’s Lake Neely Henry. Duke clung to the lead as only a few of the final anglers waited in line to get to the scales.

PAA Pro and former Bassmaster classic runner up, Dalton Bobo stepped up to the stage with a big bag of fish. The numbers bounced as Bobo “fired a shot across the bow,” but they settled in less than an ounce shy of Jenkel’s 29.89 total. “Now I really know what it means to be in the hot seat, because this really is a hot seat," said Duke. Jenkel stayed with a flipping pattern during the tournament to put him in the final day lead, working the mouths of spawning pockets and banks leading into the bedding grounds on the lower end of the lake. But his term in the Phoenix Boats hot seat would come to an end, as PAA Pro, Todd Auten, walked up the stage steps, struggling a little to lift his bag of fish to be weighed. There were a few “whoa’s” from the crowd as the scales locked in, and Todd Auten would take the lead, unseating Jenkel by nearly two pounds. It was an unnoticeable moment of disappointment for Jenkel, as the two shook hands during the seat swap.

Taking the lead was however a noticeably exciting moment for Auten, who believed that he most likely could not catch up with day 1 leader, Boyd Duckett. Boyd launched on the final day with a commanding lead and confident his bite would hold up. But as check-in time came around, Boyd had a different story. “This is a fabulous crash and burn story, fabulous”, said Duckett as he pulled up to the docks on the final day. “I had only one big bite, and it jumped off”, he said. Boyd believed he needed that fish to secure the win. Boyd was targeting bedding fish, but the rains from the previous day of severe storms became a factor. “The water jumped up and I couldn’t see the fish today”, explained the PAA Pro and former Bassmaster Classic champion. While Boyd could see his fish on bed, he was not actually sight fishing. “I’d see them and then back out to cast to them, sometimes it took 5 or 6 throws to get bit”, said Duckett.

 The fans turned out for the final day, leaving many standing behind and around the bleachers as the watched the world’s top pro’s finalize their competition. Most of the pro’s stepped down off of the stage to awaiting fans, and told their stories as they signed autographs. “This really is the best of the best, where else can you watch top BASS guys go against top FLW guys, this is awesome”, said one fan. It was a true family atmosphere, with husbands, wives and a lot of kids all in the mix.

The checks and prize certificates for new boats were handed out by Phoenix Boat CEO, Gary Clouse. Clouse also fished in the event, putting his skills to the test against the best anglers in the world.

At the end of the day, Duke Jenkel explained, “That hot seat is cruel and unusual punishment”, which drew chuckles from the fans in the stands. “How can you not be super pleased to get 2nd place against this group, I feel blessed to be here”, said Jenkel.

Todd Auten hoisted the hefty 1st place trophy high over his head. “I’ve been waiting a long time for a win, and I’m just glad it was a PAA tournament”, said Todd.

The 2nd day big bass prize went to PAA Pro, Greg Vincent, who put a 6.75 pound fish in the boat on his very last cast. Part of the story came from Greg’s observer, Betty Stahl. Betty is a tournament competitor and an avid Alabama angler who signed up to ride with the Pro’s on Neely Henry. “Shortly before he caught this big one, I asked Greg if he had ever caught a fish on his last cast in a tournament”, said Betty.

The final round of the PAA Series will take place in on Toledo Bend in Texas, and will determine shake out the qualifiers for the Toyota Texas Bass Classic which will take place on Lake Conroe in October. Stay tuned to the new fishpaa.com for updates and information on the Pro’s as they work toward the big event to come in the fall.