Few could argue with Brandon Cobb’s strategy this week when it comes to his AOY campaign, especially after putting together a massive limit of smallmouth for the St. Lawrence River. Without venturing into Lake Ontario on Day 1, Cobb amassed 24 pounds, 7 ounces. This is like being dealt two kings in Texas hold ‘em. Only problem is, Kyle Welcher drew pocket aces.
Now I don’t know much about gambling. Honestly, I’ve already exhausted my knowledge and had to call on Google while just starting this extended metaphor. But Kyle Welcher knows plenty on the subject. Prior to his career as a professional fisherman, Welcher was a professional poker player. He knows about laying it all on the line. He did so on Day 1, risking a 6-point lead in the Progressive Angler of the Year race to see if he could extend it out on the rough waters of Lake Ontario. He went all-in.
Though Cobb was able to essentially match Welcher’s performance on Day 1, boating just 19 ounces less than the AOY leader, today has been a different story. Welcher has again blasted a bag out on the lake. He sits in 2nd on BassTrakk, 13 ounces off of the lead, with 23-2 on the day. With an hour of good fishing left, Cobb has suffered a dismal day of fishing and sits in 37th at the moment. Welcher may have just drawn another ace on the turn.
