Day 2 was almost an exact copy of Day 1 in this tournament on the Tennessee River and Fort Loudoun and Tellico lakes. Well, maybe we should just say on Fort Loudoun Lake, because that’s where all the leaders are fishing now.
Before the event began, Chris Zaldain predicted it would take right a three-day total of 50 pounds to win, adding, “It’s going to be hard to be consistent.”
Both predictions are closer to reality today, and Zaldain is a prime example of the inconsistency that has prevailed the first two days of the Bassmaster Classic. He caught only 4 keepers weighing a total of 9 pounds on Day 1; he weighed the biggest bag of the tournament – 21-12 – on Day 2 to put him only 1-10 out of the lead on Day 2.
Day 1 leader Ott DeFoe did just the opposite. Catching the only 20-pound bag on Day 1 to lead it, then faltering with 10-5 on Day 2 and dropped into fourth place, 2-1 out of the lead.
That’s the thing that stands out in comparing Day 1 to Day 2: The totals in numbers caught and total weight were almost the same. It was who caught them that changed.
— Total number of bass weighed-in on Day 1 – 217; Day 2 – 213.
— Total weight of bass weighed on Day 1 – 501-15; Day 2 – 508-10.
— Big bass on Day 1 – 6-0 by Ott DeFoe; Day 2 – 6-3 by Mark Daniels Jr., and Edwin Evers.
“I think somebody is going to catch a 6- or 7-pounder two of the three days and win,” Jason Christie said before the tournament began.
That prediction also appears close to reality. If you include, Zaldain’s 5-14 largemouth as close enough to 6 pounds, the top four anglers in the Day 2 standings have caught a 6-pounder in this tournament. Whoever catches one today will probably win the 49th Bassmaster Classic.