By MLF Communications Staff
OSAGE BEACH, Mo.– John Cox of DeBary, Fla., weighed in five bass totaling 18 pounds, 4 ounces Friday to take the lead after Day 2 at the MLF Invitational at Lake of the Ozarks. Cox’s two-day total of 38-05 gives him a 7-ounce advantage over 19-year-old pro Marshall Robinson of Landrum, S.C., who has weighed in 10 bass totaling 37-14 to end the day in second place.
The full field of 150 anglers concluded the two-day opening round on Friday, with only the top 50 pros based on their two-day cumulative weight now advancing to Championship Saturday.
“It feels good to be here again,” Cox said in his post-game interview. “The last one I won was at Smith Lake (March 2021), and that feels very similar to this place. I do feel like if I end up winning tomorrow it’s going to be because I land on something. Either a pocket with two or three big ones, or something like that. 'Cause so far, it’s just been super random and I’ve had to do a lot of trolling to run into one of them.
“Luckily today I got a 5-pounder,” Cox continued. “That fish was everything. I worked on that one for a really long time. I had to come back to her, and the wind was blowing hard – it was just terrible. I was just blind pitching and somehow ended up getting her, so I was just super lucky on that one. If I somehow win this thing, I’ll definitely remember that fish catch for a long time.”
Cox spent the majority of the day roaming the shallows targeting bed-fish with a 5-inch Berkley PowerBait MaxScent The General worm.
“I saw one really nice one right at the end of the day and I was going to try to catch it, but it was getting really close on check-in time so I decided that I’ll just need to start on it in the morning,” Cox said. “It’s a solid 5 (pounder). If I can catch that first thing, then we’re looking at only needing to catch four for the rest of the day, and I’d feel really good about that.”
Here's a look at the Top 10 heading into the final day:
1st: John Cox, DeBary, Fla., 10 bass, 38-05
2nd: Marshall Robinson, Landrum, S.C., 10 bass, 37-14
3rd: Drew Gill, Mount Carmell, Ill., 10 bass 37-11
4th: Keith Carson, DeBary, Fla., nine bass, 35-11
5th: Andrew Nordbye, Guntersville, Ala., 10 bass, 35-04
6th: Andy Newcomb, Camdenton, Mo., 10 bass, 33-04
7th: Ron Nelson, Berrien Springs, Mich., 10 bass, 33-02
8th: Tom Redington, Royse City, Texas, 10 bass, 32-07
9th: Tai Au, Glendale, Ariz., 10 bass, 32-00
10th: Charley Slaton, Valliant, Okla, 10 bass, 31-15
William Fletcher of Dallas, Ga., weighed in a 5-12 largemouth to earn Friday’s $1,000 Berkley Big Bass award.
The final 50 anglers will launch Saturday at 6:30 a.m. CT from the Grand Glaize Beach Boat Ramp (Public Beach No. 2) at Lake of the Ozarks State Park, located at 711 Public Beach Road in Osage Beach. The final weigh-in will also be held at the boat ramp beginning at 2:30 p.m.
The MLF NOW! broadcast team of Chad McKee, Marty Stone and J.T. Kenney will break down the extended action from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. CT. MLF NOW! is livestreamed on MajorLeagueFishing.com and the MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) app.
Day 2 Standings
1. John Cox -- 20-01 (5) -- 18-04 (5) -- 38-05 (10)
2. Marshall Robinson -- 18-09 (5) -- 19-05 (5) -- 37-14 (10)
3. Drew Gill -- 19-01 (5) -- 18-10 (5) -- 37-11 (10)
4. Keith Carson -- 14-15 (4) -- 20-12 (5) -- 35-11 (9)
5. Andrew Nordbye -- 21-08 (5) -- 13-12 (5) -- 35-04 (10)
6. Andy Newcomb -- 13-14 (5) -- 19-06 (5) -- 33-04 (10)
7. Ron Nelson -- 18-03 (5) -- 14-15 (5) -- 33-02 (10)
8. Tom Redington -- 13-05 (5) -- 19-02 (5) -- 32-07 (10)
9. Tai Au -- 17-03 (5) -- 14-13 (5) -- 32-00 (10)
10. Charley Slaton -- 19-10 (5) -- 12-05 (5) -- 31-15 (10)
11. Joe Bennett -- 15-01 (5) -- 16-03 (5) -- 31-04 (10)
12. Dylan Hays -- 16-09 (5) -- 14-01 (5) -- 30-10 (10)
13. Connor Cunningham -- 14-00 (5) -- 16-09 (5) -- 30-09 (10)
14. Martin Villa -- 14-14 (5) -- 15-06 (5) -- 30-04 (10)
15. Jordan Hirt -- 18-09 (5) -- 11-04 (5) -- 29-13 (10)
16. Robby Lefere -- 15-07 (5) -- 14-05 (5) -- 29-12 (10)
17. Thomas Wooten -- 16-03 (5) -- 13-04 (5) -- 29-07 (10)
18. Jaden Parrish -- 16-13 (5) -- 12-08 (5) -- 29-05 (10)
19. Derik Hudson -- 16-02 (5) -- 13-01 (5) -- 29-03 (10)
20. Michael Neal -- 13-14 (5) -- 15-02 (5) -- 29-00 (10)
21. Kyle Schutta -- 14-05 (5) -- 14-11 (5) -- 29-00 (10)
22. Jeremy Southerly -- 14-03 (5) -- 14-02 (5) -- 28-05 (10)
23. Brock Reinkemeyer -- 14-01 (5) -- 14-00 (5) -- 28-01 (10)
24. Bobby Bakewell -- 13-14 (5) -- 14-00 (5) -- 27-14 (10)
25. Kyle Palmer -- 15-05 (5) -- 12-08 (5) -- 27-13 (10)
26. Joshua Weaver -- 13-03 (5) -- 14-10 (5) -- 27-13 (10)
27. Matthew Stefan -- 19-09 (5) -- 8-03 (5) -- 27-12 (10)
28. Shaw Grigsby -- 10-11 (5) -- 17-01 (5) -- 27-12 (10)
29. Jared Lintner -- 12-06 (5) -- 15-05 (5) -- 27-11 (10)
30. Tyler Stewart -- 12-05 (5) -- 15-03 (5) -- 27-08 (10)
31. Troy Stokes -- 14-04 (5) -- 13-04 (5) -- 27-08 (10)
32. Brian Latimer -- 13-09 (5) -- 13-14 (5) -- 27-07 (10)
33. Grae Buck -- 13-09 (5) -- 13-12 (5) -- 27-05 (10)
34. Cody Pike -- 17-02 (5) -- 9-15 (5) -- 27-01 (10)
35. Cody Parker -- 12-02 (5) -- 14-15 (5) -- 27-01 (10)
36. David Walker -- 13-13 (5) -- 13-04 (5) -- 27-01 (10)
37. Jordan Collom -- 11-03 (5) -- 15-11 (5) -- 26-14 (10)
38. Kyle Hall -- 11-13 (5) -- 14-14 (5) -- 26-11 (10)
39. Brad Jelinek -- 13-06 (5) -- 13-05 (5) -- 26-11 (10)
40. Mark Rose -- 14-09 (5) -- 12-01 (5) -- 26-10 (10)
41. J Todd Tucker -- 14-08 (5) -- 12-02 (5) -- 26-10 (10)
42. Rick Chenoweth -- 12-09 (5) -- 13-13 (5) -- 26-06 (10)
43. Mike McClelland -- 12-04 (5) -- 13-15 (5) -- 26-03 (10)
44. Kyle Weisenburger -- 12-10 (5) -- 13-06 (5) -- 26-00 (10)
45. Andrew Behnke -- 9-04 (5) -- 16-09 (5) -- 25-13 (10)
46. Austin Culbertson -- 14-12 (5) -- 11-00 (5) -- 25-12 (10)
47. Joe Grafeman -- 15-13 (5) -- 9-13 (5) -- 25-10 (10)
48. Colby Schrumpf -- 15-01 (5) -- 10-09 (5) -- 25-10 (10)
49. Dakota Ebare -- 11-03 (5) -- 14-07 (5) -- 25-10 (10)
50. Hunter Eubanks -- 13-05 (5) -- 12-04 (5) -- 25-09 (10)
The following anglers did not make the cut and will not fish on Day 3
51. Joe Wieberg -- 13-08 (5) -- 11-14 (5) -- 25-06 (10)
52. Scotty Villines -- 9-00 (5) -- 16-03 (5) -- 25-03 (10)
53. Alex Davis -- 9-12 (5) -- 15-07 (5) -- 25-03 (10)
54. Terry Bolton -- 14-07 (5) -- 10-12 (5) -- 25-03 (10)
55. Cole Hewett -- 15-00 (5) -- 10-02 (5) -- 25-02 (10)
56. Bruce Parsons -- 11-08 (5) -- 13-03 (5) -- 24-11 (10)
57. Drew Kleine -- 12-11 (5) -- 12-00 (5) -- 24-11 (10)
58. Cameron Mattison -- 15-02 (5) -- 9-07 (5) -- 24-09 (10)
59. Blake Felix -- 12-01 (5) -- 12-07 (5) -- 24-08 (10)
60. Fred Roumbanis -- 16-05 (5) -- 8-02 (5) -- 24-07 (10)
61. John Voyles -- 14-06 (5) -- 10-01 (5) -- 24-07 (10)
62. Christian Greico -- 13-00 (5) -- 11-06 (5) -- 24-06 (10)
63. Steve Lopez -- 11-15 (5) -- 12-05 (5) -- 24-04 (10)
64. Blake Hall -- 9-15 (5) -- 14-01 (5) -- 24-00 (10)
65. Drew Boggs -- 13-01 (5) -- 10-15 (5) -- 24-00 (10)
66. Jim Moynagh -- 11-04 (5) -- 12-11 (5) -- 23-15 (10)
67. Hunter Mills -- 11-03 (5) -- 12-11 (5) -- 23-14 (10)
68. Clayton Batts -- 14-03 (5) -- 9-04 (5) -- 23-07 (10)
69. Kyle Cortiana -- 10-08 (5) -- 12-14 (5) -- 23-06 (10)
70. Mark Fisher -- 13-03 (5) -- 10-01 (5) -- 23-04 (10)
71. Matt Reed -- 12-14 (5) -- 10-06 (5) -- 23-04 (10)
72. Jason Vance -- 13-15 (5) -- 9-04 (5) -- 23-03 (10)
73. Terry Olinger -- 10-04 (5) -- 12-14 (5) -- 23-02 (10)
74. Colby Miller -- 11-11 (5) -- 11-07 (5) -- 23-02 (10)
75. Cody Spetz -- 9-02 (5) -- 13-15 (5) -- 23-01 (10)
76. Jd Chandler -- 12-02 (5) -- 10-13 (5) -- 22-15 (10)
77. Kyle Minke -- 9-14 (5) -- 12-09 (5) -- 22-07 (10)
78. Todd Walters -- 11-05 (4) -- 11-02 (5) -- 22-07 (9)
79. Cole Breeden -- 16-05 (5) -- 6-01 (3) -- 22-06 (8)
80. Jack Daniel Williams -- 11-08 (5) -- 10-14 (5) -- 22-06 (10)
81. Eric Panzironi -- 13-04 (5) -- 9-01 (5) -- 22-05 (10)
82. Randy Despino -- 10-05 (5) -- 12-00 (5) -- 22-05 (10)
83. Sean Anderson -- 11-03 (5) -- 11-00 (5) -- 22-03 (10)
84. William Fletcher -- 7-07 (5) -- 14-09 (5) -- 22-00 (10)
85. Ron Farrow -- 8-08 (5) -- 13-05 (5) -- 21-13 (10)
86. Flint Davis -- 8-15 (5) -- 12-14 (5) -- 21-13 (10)
87. Jacopo Gallelli -- 12-04 (5) -- 9-07 (5) -- 21-11 (10)
88. Tristan McCormick -- 10-08 (5) -- 11-02 (5) -- 21-10 (10)
89. Kevin Rogers -- 12-12 (5) -- 8-12 (5) -- 21-08 (10)
90. Chris Groh -- 11-11 (5) -- 9-12 (5) -- 21-07 (10)
91. Lane Olson -- 13-00 (5) -- 8-04 (5) -- 21-04 (10)
92. Justin Cooper -- 4-12 (2) -- 16-07 (5) -- 21-03 (7)
93. Robby Frashier -- 9-08 (5) -- 11-10 (5) -- 21-02 (10)
94. Matt Greenblatt -- 9-13 (5) -- 11-05 (5) -- 21-02 (10)
95. Mark Condron -- 10-06 (5) -- 10-12 (5) -- 21-02 (10)
96. Michael Harlin -- 6-06 (4) -- 14-10 (5) -- 21-00 (9)
97. Danny L. Shanz -- 12-01 (5) -- 8-11 (5) -- 20-12 (10)
98. Richard Lowitzki -- 10-05 (5) -- 10-05 (5) -- 20-10 (10)
99. Cal Lane -- 11-01 (5) -- 9-05 (5) -- 20-06 (10)
100. Scott Wiley -- 13-01 (5) -- 6-13 (4) -- 19-14 (9)
101. Nick Hatfield -- 10-05 (5) -- 9-07 (3) -- 19-12 (8)
102. Cody Greaney -- 10-02 (5) -- 9-10 (5) -- 19-12 (10)
103. Marty Robinson -- 9-13 (5) -- 9-15 (5) -- 19-12 (10)
104. Laker Howell -- 11-00 (5) -- 8-11 (5) -- 19-11 (10)
105. Travis Harriman -- 9-13 (5) -- 9-14 (5) -- 19-11 (10)
106. Tom Shewey -- 10-07 (5) -- 9-02 (4) -- 19-09 (9)
107. Lance Crawford -- 10-09 (5) -- 8-15 (3) -- 19-08 (8)
108. Phillip Dutra -- 6-01 (3) -- 13-05 (5) -- 19-06 (8)
109. Wyatt Frankens -- 10-10 (5) -- 8-11 (5) -- 19-05 (10)
110. Jimmy Reese -- 9-05 (5) -- 9-13 (5) -- 19-02 (10)
111. Paul Elias -- 7-05 (4) -- 11-12 (5) -- 19-01 (9)
112. Ricky Robinson -- 12-07 (5) -- 6-08 (4) -- 18-15 (9)
113. Rod Mackinnon III -- 8-12 (5) -- 10-01 (5) -- 18-13 (10)
114. Jason Grape -- 6-12 (5) -- 11-12 (5) -- 18-08 (10)
115. Braxton Setzer -- 8-14 (5) -- 9-05 (5) -- 18-03 (10)
116. Brett Hite -- 0-00 (0) -- 17-15 (5) -- 17-15 (5)
117. John-Dalton Miller -- 8-00 (4) -- 9-14 (5) -- 17-14 (9)
118. Frank Kitchens III -- 4-13 (3) -- 12-14 (5) -- 17-11 (8)
119. Andre Dickneite -- 11-15 (5) -- 5-03 (5) -- 17-02 (10)
120. Bryan Partak -- 11-05 (5) -- 5-13 (2) -- 17-02 (7)
121. Kyle Glasgow -- 2-07 (2) -- 14-09 (5) -- 17-00 (7)
122. Rusty Salewske -- 9-05 (5) -- 7-08 (4) -- 16-13 (9)
123. Ramie Colson Jr -- 4-11 (2) -- 12-01 (5) -- 16-12 (7)
124. Miles Howe -- 8-08 (5) -- 8-01 (5) -- 16-09 (10)
125. Ryan Armstrong -- 5-14 (4) -- 10-07 (5) -- 16-05 (9)
126. Elijah Meyers -- 6-13 (3) -- 9-00 (4) -- 15-13 (7)
127. Nolan Gaskin -- 11-06 (5) -- 4-00 (2) -- 15-06 (7)
128. Charlie Evans -- 6-13 (4) -- 8-08 (5) -- 15-05 (9)
129. Andrew Loberg -- 15-01 (5) -- 0-00 (0) -- 15-01 (5)
130. Chad Mrazek -- 5-09 (5) -- 9-00 (5) -- 14-09 (10)
131. Eddie Carper -- 10-04 (5) -- 4-02 (3) -- 14-06 (8)
132. Mike Smola -- 8-10 (5) -- 5-11 (2) -- 14-05 (7)
133. Shannon Abbott -- 10-10 (5) -- 3-10 (2) -- 14-04 (7)
134. Chad Allison -- 8-05 (5) -- 5-10 (3) -- 13-15 (8)
135. Jeremy Lawyer -- 13-06 (5) -- 0-00 (0) -- 13-06 (5)
136. Travis Coleman -- 7-11 (4) -- 5-08 (2) -- 13-03 (6)
137. Kollin Crawford -- 6-15 (4) -- 6-02 (3) -- 13-01 (7)
138. Derek Fulps -- 12-10 (5) -- 0-00 (0) -- 12-10 (5)
139. Robert Nakatomi -- 9-03 (5) -- 3-07 (2) -- 12-10 (7)
140. Charles Abshire -- 3-10 (2) -- 8-01 (4) -- 11-11 (6)
141. Kyle White -- 3-15 (1) -- 7-12 (3) -- 11-11 (4)
142. Tom Monsoor -- 10-05 (5) -- 1-04 (1) -- 11-09 (6)
143. Cole Harris -- 3-12 (2) -- 7-03 (4) -- 10-15 (6)
144. Cody Petit -- 2-09 (2) -- 8-05 (3) -- 10-14 (5)
145. Bobby Carver -- 2-02 (1) -- 8-09 (5) -- 10-11 (6)
146. Spike Stoker -- 6-06 (3) -- 3-10 (3) -- 10-00 (6)
147. Pete Ponds -- 6-03 (3) -- 3-11 (3) -- 9-14 (6)
148. Terry Luedtke -- 5-11 (4) -- 2-13 (2) -- 8-08 (6)
149. Mike Findley -- 7-01 (5) -- 0-00 (0) -- 7-01 (5)
150. Jeff Reynolds -- 6-12 (3) -- 0-00 (0) -- 6-12 (3)
