We’re around 33 hours out now. The fishing will be done. The scales will have settled. The confetti will have fallen. And someone’s career, life, family and legacy will have changed forever. There’s no bigger prize in the sport than this, to say I am a Bassmaster Classic Champion.
Canadian Pro Jeff Gustafson ruled Day 1 out deep, putting together an impressive 18 pounds, 8 ounces of smallmouth bass. The Tennessean Brandon Lester junk fished his way into second place, beating the banks to the tune of 17 pounds, 7 ounces. There’s a stacked list of anglers behind the two, the next dozen having all won big events before.
The fishing has been tough on Fort Loudon and Tellico all week. It’s been hard to find a consistent bite. This day is more important perhaps than the other two, as this challenging fishery will get the better of many, and the few who remain steady will rise from the ashes of those who crash and burn around them.
Why not add a few more variables? A front pushed through last night. The rain has stopped now. But the wind is predicted to blow over 20 miles per hour before the anglers head back for weigh-in. Will Lester be able to scratch up five more big ones shallow? Will it be Gustafson with the steadier hand out deep? Or will one of the big bag threats like Greg Hackney bust 20 plus and come charging up the leaderboard? We’re about to find out. Tune into Bassmaster LIVE now.
