Bernie Schultz momentarily took the BASSTrakk lead, but there is a more notable storyline playing out. The goal is to win, of course, but more importantly to qualify for the Bassmaster Classic. The reason why that goal is at the top of his priorities is that as of yesterday, Schultz was 38th in the point standings for Bassmaster Angler of the Year. Schultz has fished nine Classics, the last in 2016 and the first in 1989.
What else is notable is not what is happening at the top of the AOY standings, but the movement around the 40th-place cutline. Brad Whatley is 40th with 408 points.
Carl Jocumsen is two spots out with 397 points. Jocumsen is trying to qualify for his first Classic, since joining the tournament trail nine years ago. Hank Cherry is 41st with 398 points, and he wants to qualify for the Classic by points, instead of his automatic berth, to open up another spot for someone else. Also within striking range is Keith Combs, in 44th place. Combs has two more opportunities to qualify, next week at Lake Chickamauga and then at Lake Fork, where he will be considered a threat to win or at least finish at the top.