By B.A.S.S. Communications Staff
Before this week’s Bassmaster Elite Series event at Chickamauga Lake, Matt Robertson made an important decision.
After a tough start to his season, the second-year Elite Series pro from Kentucky came into this week determined to fish more to his strengths – and so far, the strategy has worked well as he’s climbed into the lead with a two-day total of 40 pounds, 5 ounces. He caught 21-13 on Day 1 to open in third place and added 18-08 Friday to move atop the leaderboard heading into the weekend.
An offshore prespawn pattern has been the ticket for him so far.
“I know the fish are still wanting to spawn, so I’m happy we got this little cold snap to slow them down a little bit,” Robertson said. “I’m throwing a lipless bait in grass and then going headhunting with a big swimbait after that.
“Yesterday, I was fortunate enough to get a couple of big bites out of the grass, but today I didn’t. That was really the only difference in the two bags.”
Robertson’s biggest bass Friday – a 5 1/2-pound largemouth – came on the big swimbait around 11:40 a.m. That was the only difference-making fish the lure produced, but he’s confident in his two-pronged approach.
“Tomorrow, I’m gonna do the same thing, just fishing for five bites,” he said. “I don’t care if I catch a fish, I’m going to fish how I want, do what I want. If I come in with no fish tomorrow, that’s fine because I’m fishing how I want.”
After picture-perfect weather on Thursday, the temperature dropped 20 degrees Friday and the winds blew 10 to 20 mph all day with occasional light rain and even some sleet.
While the conditions might not have been pleasant for many on the lake, Robertson said they helped in multiple ways. Besides the cold weather possibly delaying the approaching spawn, the wind also gave him a boost.
“Whenever that wind blows, the fish bite – especially on a lake with this kind of pressure,” he said. “The only thing that equalizes the pressure is the weather. I wanted it to blow hard.”
With more cold, windy weather on tap for Saturday, Robertson is feeling plenty confident. But he’ll need to keep up the pace with Japanese rookie Daisuke Aoki just 1 ounce behind him with 40-04.
Aoki, who was in second place with 23-12 after Day 1, maintained that spot despite a lighter bag of 16-08 on Friday. After weighing in a five-bass limit that included two 7-pounders on Day 1, his two biggest bass Friday were in the 4-pound range.
Aoki has been using the same two-part game plan all week.
“I started off with the shallow pattern today early just like I did yesterday. Then as it got tougher, I moved offshore,” said Aoki, with longtime B.A.S.S. photographer Seigo Saito serving as his translator. “The fish are getting less and less in my area, so it was tougher today.”
The plan for Saturday, Aoki said, is a little less certain.
“I’m going to start out doing the same thing I did today – start sight-fishing shallow and then move offshore when that gets tougher,” he said. “But then I’m going to have to go searching for new bites.”
One of the most consistent anglers in the event has been Mississippi pro Brock Mosley, who now sits in third place with a two-day total of 38-01. After catching 19-06 Thursday, Mosley added 18-11 Friday and will start Saturday less than 2 1/2 pounds back of the leader.
“I honestly didn’t know if I could catch one at all going out yesterday morning, and I felt the same way going out today,” said Mosley, who has four second-place Elite Series finishes on his résumé. “I figured out one deal in practice the last afternoon, and yesterday I went and did it until about 11 o’clock.
“Today, I stayed at it all day and ended up catching about 15 keepers.”
Like Robertson, Mosley welcomed the colder, windier weather.
“I’ve always said these Tennessee River fish seem to like nasty weather,” he said. “I don’t know what it’s going to do to these shallow fish. But where I’m fishing, I think those fish kind of live out there all the time.”
Florida's Scott Martin took big-bass honors for the day with a 9-12 largemouth. Rookie Matty Wong of Hawaii had the tournament's heaviest bag (25-13).
It took 25-10 to make the Top 47 semifinal cut — and by placing 20th with 32-09, Florida's John Cox maintained his lead in the Angler of the Year standings with 366 points.
The 47 remaining anglers will take off Saturday at 7 a.m. ET from Dayton Boat Dock, with weigh-in back at the dock at 3 p.m. Only the Top 10 will compete on Sunday for a chance at the $100,000 first-place prize.
Day 2 Standings
1. Matt Robertson -- Kuttawa, KY -- 10, 40-05 -- 100
Day 1: 5, 21-13 -- Day 2: 5, 18-08
2. Daisuke Aoki -- Minamitsurugun, JAPAN -- 10, 40-04 -- 99
Day 1: 5, 23-12 -- Day 2: 5, 16-08
3. Brock Mosley -- Collinsville, MS -- 10, 38-01 -- 98
Day 1: 5, 19-06 -- Day 2: 5, 18-11
4. Caleb Kuphall -- Mukwonago, WI -- 10, 37-15 -- 97
Day 1: 5, 20-14 -- Day 2: 5, 17-01
5. Drew Benton -- Blakely, GA -- 10, 37-05 -- 96
Day 1: 5, 18-07 -- Day 2: 5, 18-14
6. Rick Clunn -- Ava, MO -- 10, 37-02 -- 95
Day 1: 5, 13-15 -- Day 2: 5, 23-03
7. Jason Christie -- Park Hill, OK -- 10, 36-15 -- 94
Day 1: 5, 16-00 -- Day 2: 5, 20-15
8. Matty Wong -- Honolulu, HI -- 9, 36-06 -- 93
Day 1: 4, 10-09 -- Day 2: 5, 25-13
9. Gregory DiPalma -- Millville, NJ -- 10, 35-02 -- 92
Day 1: 5, 18-05 -- Day 2: 5, 16-13
10. Drew Cook -- Cairo, GA -- 10, 35-02 -- 91
Day 1: 5, 17-06 -- Day 2: 5, 17-12
11. Ed Loughran III -- Richmond, VA -- 10, 34-00 -- 90
Day 1: 5, 13-15 -- Day 2: 5, 20-01
12. Pat Schlapper -- Eleva, WI -- 9, 33-13 -- 89
Day 1: 4, 18-07 -- Day 2: 5, 15-06
13. Gerald Swindle -- Guntersville, AL -- 9, 33-08 -- 88
Day 1: 4, 10-04 -- Day 2: 5, 23-04
14. Jeff Gustafson -- Keewatin, ON -- 10, 33-05 -- 87
Day 1: 5, 17-04 -- Day 2: 5, 16-01
15. Mike Huff -- London, KY -- 10, 33-03 -- 86
Day 1: 5, 17-07 -- Day 2: 5, 15-12
16. Carl Jocumsen -- Queensland, AUS -- 9, 33-00 -- 85
Day 1: 5, 24-12 -- Day 2: 4, 08-04
17. Matt Arey -- Shelby, NC -- 10, 32-14 -- 84
Day 1: 5, 16-14 -- Day 2: 5, 16-00
18. Jacob Powroznik -- North Prince George, VA 10 -- 32-13 -- 83
Day 1: 5, 21-00 -- Day 2: 5, 11-13
19. Brandon Palaniuk -- Rathdrum, ID -- 10, 32-10 -- 82
Day 1: 5, 16-02 -- Day 2: 5, 16-08
20. John Cox -- DeBary, FL -- 10, 32-09 -- 81
Day 1: 5, 15-13 -- Day 2: 5, 16-12
21. Jacob Foutz -- Charleston, TN -- 10, 32-05 -- 80
Day 1: 5, 15-04 -- Day 2: 5, 17-01
22. Clifford Pirch -- Payson, AZ -- 10, 32-02 -- 79
Day 1: 5, 12-06 -- Day 2: 5, 19-12
23. Luke Palmer -- Coalgate, OK -- 10, 32-01 -- 78
Day 1: 5, 20-01 -- Day 2: 5, 12-00
24. Brandon Cobb -- Greenwood, SC -- 10, 30-12 -- 77
Day 1: 5, 16-07 -- Day 2: 5, 14-05
25. Taku Ito -- Chiba, JAPAN -- 10, 30-10 -- 76
Day 1: 5, 16-06 -- Day 2: 5, 14-04
26. Cliff Prince -- Palatka, FL -- 10, 30-07 -- 75
Day 1: 5, 11-13 -- Day 2: 5, 18-10
27. Jason Williamson -- Wagener, SC -- 10, 29-07 -- 74
Day 1: 5, 16-07 -- Day 2: 5, 13-00
28. Bob Downey -- Detroit Lakes, MN -- 10, 29-05 -- 73
Day 1: 5, 17-00 -- Day 2: 5, 12-05
29. Joseph Webster -- Hamilton, AL -- 8, 29-01 -- 72
Day 1: 5, 17-13 -- Day 2: 3, 11-04
30. Scott Martin -- Clewiston, FL -- 8, 29-00 -- 71
Day 1: 3, 07-13 -- Day 2: 5, 21-03
31. Chris Johnston -- Otonabee, ON -- 10, 28-12 -- 70
Day 1: 5, 14-09 -- Day 2: 5, 14-03
32. Brandon Lester -- Fayetteville, TN -- 10, 28-07 -- 69
Day 1: 5, 17-07 -- Day 2: 5, 11-00
33. Michael Iaconelli -- Pittsgrove, NJ -- 10, 28-07 -- 68
Day 1: 5, 12-13 -- Day 2: 5, 15-10
34. Jay Przekurat -- Stevens Point, WI -- 8, 28-01 -- 67
Day 1: 3, 08-11 -- Day 2: 5, 19-06
35. Seth Feider -- New Market, MN -- 10, 27-14 -- 66
Day 1: 5, 11-15 -- Day 2: 5, 15-15
36. Scott Canterbury -- Odenville, AL -- 10, 27-12 -- 65
Day 1: 5, 15-00 -- Day 2: 5, 12-12
37. Marc Frazier -- Newnan, GA -- 10, 27-11 -- 64
Day 1: 5, 14-04 -- Day 2: 5, 13-07
38. Hunter Shryock -- Ooltewah, TN -- 9, 27-05 -- 63
Day 1: 5, 16-03 -- Day 2: 4, 11-02
39. Caleb Sumrall -- New Iberia, LA -- 10, 27-04 -- 62
Day 1: 5, 14-13 -- Day 2: 5, 12-07
40. Justin Hamner -- Northport, AL -- 10, 27-02 -- 61
Day 1: 5, 11-02 -- Day 2: 5, 16-00
41. Mark Menendez -- Paducah, KY -- 9, 26-06 -- 60
Day 1: 5, 14-01 -- Day 2: 4, 12-05
42. Bill Lowen -- Brookville, IN -- 10, 26-04 -- 59
Day 1: 5, 13-02 -- Day 2: 5, 13-02
43. David Mullins -- Mt Carmel, TN -- 10, 26-03 -- 58
Day 1: 5, 12-00 -- Day 2: 5, 14-03
44. Cody Huff -- Ava, MO -- 6, 26-02 -- 57
Day 1: 2, 09-13 -- Day 2: 4, 16-05
45. Bernie Schultz -- Gainesville, FL -- 9, 25-15 -- 56
Day 1: 4, 09-10 -- Day 2: 5, 16-05
46. Kenta Kimura -- Osaka, JAPAN -- 7, 25-11 -- 55
Day 1: 2, 06-10 -- Day 2: 5, 19-01
47. Joshua Stracner -- Vandiver, AL -- 10, 25-10 -- 54
Day 1: 5, 11-06 -- Day 2: 5, 14-04
The following anglers did not make the cut and will not fish on Day 3
48. Patrick Walters -- Summerville, SC -- 10, 25-06 -- 53 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 12-09 -- Day 2: 5, 12-13
49. Cory Johnston -- Cavan, ON -- 8, 25-05 -- 52 -- $2,500
Day 1: 3, 06-14 -- Day 2: 5, 18-07
50. Jamie Hartman -- Newport, NY -- 10, 25-00 -- 51 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 13-06 -- Day 2: 5, 11-10
51. Alex Redwine -- Blue Ash, OH -- 7, 24-13 -- 50 -- $2,500
Day 1: 2, 10-08 -- Day 2: 5, 14-05
52. Todd Auten -- Lake Wylie, SC -- 10, 24-10 -- 49 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 10-01 -- Day 2: 5, 14-09
53. Frank Talley -- Temple, TX -- 9, 24-10 -- 48 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 14-05 -- Day 2: 4, 10-05
54. Masayuki Matsushita -- Tokoname-Shi, JAPAN -- 10, 24-05 -- 47 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 11-08 -- Day 2: 5, 12-13
55. Chris Zaldain -- Fort Worth, TX -- 7, 24-03 -- 46 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 18-10 -- Day 2: 2, 05-09
56. John Crews Jr -- Salem, VA -- 7, 24-00 -- 45 -- $2,500
Day 1: 3, 08-07 -- Day 2: 4, 15-09
57. Jay Yelas -- Turner, OR -- 10, 24-00 -- 44 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 13-00 -- Day 2: 5, 11-00
58. Clent Davis -- Montevallo, AL -- 10, 24-00 -- 43 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 12-14 -- Day 2: 5, 11-02
59. Matt Herren -- Ashville, AL -- 7, 23-15 -- 42 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 20-03 -- Day 2: 2, 03-12
60. Wes Logan -- Springville, AL -- 8, 23-06 -- 41 -- $2,500
Day 1: 3, 11-14 -- Day 2: 5, 11-08
61. Buddy Gross -- Chattanooga, TN -- 8, 22-08 -- 40 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 15-08 -- Day 2: 3, 07-00
62. Koby Kreiger -- Alva, FL -- 6, 22-03 -- 39 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 17-03 -- Day 2: 1, 05-00
63. Clark Wendlandt -- Leander, TX -- 8, 21-14 -- 38 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 10-13 -- Day 2: 3, 11-01
64. Austin Felix -- Eden Prairie, MN -- 8, 21-09 -- 37 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 13-08 -- Day 2: 3, 08-01
65. Shane LeHew -- Catawba, NC -- 8, 21-04 -- 36 -- $2,500
Day 1: 4, 09-08 -- Day 2: 4, 11-12
66. Jake Whitaker -- Fairview, NC -- 8, 21-00 -- 35 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 13-07 -- Day 2: 3, 07-09
67. Lee Livesay -- Longview, TX -- 7, 20-10 -- 34 -- $2,500
Day 1: 5, 13-12 -- Day 2: 2, 06-14
68. Chad Pipkens -- Dewitt, MI -- 8, 20-09 -- 33
Day 1: 4, 11-01 -- Day 2: 4, 09-08
69. Josh Douglas -- Isle, MN -- 7, 20-07 -- 32
Day 1: 5, 13-00 -- Day 2: 2, 07-07
70. Steve Kennedy -- Auburn, AL -- 7, 20-06 -- 31
Day 1: 5, 12-11 -- Day 2: 2, 07-11
71. Kyle Welcher -- Opelika, AL -- 7, 20-05 -- 30
Day 1: 5, 14-07 -- Day 2: 2, 05-14
72. Brad Whatley -- Bivins, TX -- 9, 20-05 -- 29
Day 1: 4, 10-05 -- Day 2: 5, 10-00
73. KJ Queen -- Catawba, NC -- 8, 20-00 -- 28
Day 1: 5, 13-10 -- Day 2: 3, 06-06
74. Hank Cherry Jr -- Lincolnton, NC -- 8, 19-09 -- 27
Day 1: 4, 09-04 -- Day 2: 4, 10-05
75. Greg Hackney -- Gonzales, LA -- 8, 19-00 -- 26
Day 1: 5, 12-03 -- Day 2: 3, 06-13
76. Brandon Card -- Salisbury, NC -- 6, 17-13 -- 25
Day 1: 3, 09-07 -- Day 2: 3, 08-06
77. Jonathan Kelley -- Old Forge, PA -- 6, 17-08 -- 24
Day 1: 5, 14-04 -- Day 2: 1, 03-04
78. Paul Mueller -- Naugatuck, CT -- 7, 17-02 -- 23
Day 1: 4, 10-00 -- Day 2: 3, 07-02
79. Stetson Blaylock -- Benton, AR -- 8, 17-02 -- 22
Day 1: 4, 09-00 -- Day 2: 4, 08-02
80. Tyler Rivet -- Raceland, LA -- 6, 16-15 -- 21
Day 1: 3, 06-15 -- Day 2: 3, 10-00
81. David Williams -- Newton, NC -- 7, 16-10 -- 20
Day 1: 5, 11-14 -- Day 2: 2, 04-12
82. Derek Hudnall -- Denham Springs, LA -- 5, 15-12 -- 19
Day 1: 2, 06-14 -- Day 2: 3, 08-14
83. Darold Gleason -- Many, LA -- 7, 14-15 -- 18
Day 1: 4, 08-14 -- Day 2: 3, 06-01
84. David Fritts -- Lexington, NC -- 5, 14-08 -- 17
Day 1: 2, 06-12 -- Day 2: 3, 07-12
85. Micah Frazier -- Newnan, GA -- 4, 14-07 -- 16
Day 1: 1, 06-02 -- Day 2: 3, 08-05
86. Bryan Schmitt -- Deale, MD -- 6, 13-06 -- 15
Day 1: 3, 07-05 -- Day 2: 3, 06-01
87. Ray Hanselman Jr -- Del Rio, TX -- 6, 12-14 -- 14
Day 1: 2, 04-01 -- Day 2: 4, 08-13
88. Justin Atkins -- Florence, AL -- 4, 12-09 -- 13
Day 1: 1, 02-04 -- Day 2: 3, 10-05
89. Jesse Tacoronte -- Kissimmee, FL -- 5, 12-03 -- 12
Day 1: 2, 06-00 -- Day 2: 3, 06-03
90. Gary Clouse -- Winchester, TN -- 4, 12-02 -- 11
Day 1: 0, 00-00 -- Day 2: 4, 12-02
91. Skylar Hamilton -- Dandridge, TN -- 5, 11-15 -- 10
Day 1: 0, 00-00 -- Day 2: 5, 11-15
92. Keith Combs -- Huntington, TX -- 5, 11-15 -- 9
Day 1: 3, 06-07 -- Day 2: 2, 05-08
93. Bryan New -- Saluda, SC -- 5, 11-14 -- 8
Day 1: 0, 00-00 -- Day 2: 5, 11-14
94. Chad Morgenthaler -- Reeds Spring, MO -- 5, 11-03 -- 7
Day 1: 2, 04-05 -- Day 2: 3, 06-14
