Jordan Lee is 23 and Carefree on Day One at Guntersville Elite

Jordan Lee’s slightly older brother Matt once said, “Jordan doesn’t worry about anything. He may forget to tie his shoes in the morning, but that’s because he’s too busy thinking about where to catch a bass.”

At the ripe old age of 23, Jordan Lee has thought about, found, and caught a lot of bass, including those that landed him near the top of the leaderboard as an amateur competitor in the 2014 Bassmaster Classic on Lake Guntersville.

But perhaps none more indicative of his gifted abilities, and potential future as a pro, than the green fish he caught from Guntersville at just 18 years of age to win a 2-day Bassmaster Weekend Series event in 2009.

He trumped a highly talented field of local sticks that late September weekend, most of them old enough to be his dad, won $6,500, and more impressively, claimed the overall points title in the Alabama North division for the year.

Success breeds confidence, and perhaps that’s why the freckle-faced Lee was exceptionally calm this morning before his first event as a pro back on the home waters where he cut his tournament teeth.

“I’m always just a little nervous before takeoff, but not because it’s Guntersville, just more about how I’m going to catch a 4-pound per fish average. That’s the tough part this week,” confided Lee, who rated his stress level a 5 on a scale of 1 to 10. “I’ve had a ton of bites in practice – but it’s real tough to average 4-pounders, and that’s what I think it’ll take to do really well.”

A wide variety of baits dotted his front deck. Fast moving baits like Strike King’s Pure Poison vibrating jig were arranged on the starboard side, while two Quantum spinning outfits rested atop the port side rod locker. “Those are the ones I’ll do my damage with today,” said Lee, as he pointed to the spinning rods with a lighthearted grin.

Text messages from at least 20 well-wishing friends and family in recent days prove he’ll have a bevy of support here on his home waters, to further calm his nerves and add to his confidence. Knowing the tough-to-rattle young Lee is fully focused on fishing, perhaps somebody among them will check to make sure his shoes are tied.