While the anglers catching the fish have varied considerably over the past three days, the overall bass fishing has been consistent on Cherokee Lake. And it’s been about what was predicted before the tournament began.
For instance, several Elite Series pros said it would take 13 pounds a day to make the top 51, two-day cut and earn a $10,000 check. It took an average of 12-9, as David Fritts was 51st on Friday with 25-2. To make the three-day 12-cut, it took about 15-6 per day, a Brandon Palaniuk was 12th Saturday with 46-3.
Today’s finalists will look for inspiration at Randall Tharp’s Day 2, when he caught both the tournament’s big bass of 5-5 and big bag of 20-11. It’s an example of what is possible at Cherokee this week.
Cliff Crochet had Thursday’s big bag of 19-7. Mike Iaconelli’s 18-0 was tops Saturday. Mark Daniels caught the Day 1 big bass of 5-0. Both Paul Mueller and Jacob Wheeler caught a 4-1 Saturday to share big bass honors.
Day 1 Day 2 Day 3*
Bass weighed-in 453 435 212
Total weight 1,277-8 1,229-5 605-5
Ave. bass weighed-in 2.82 lbs. 2.82 lbs. 2.85 lbs.
5-bass limits 73 65 33
Pct. catching limit 66% 59% 65%
Big bag 19-7 20-11 18-0
Big bass 5-0 5-5 4-1
* The field was cut from 110 anglers to the top 51 on Day 3.