Brad Whatley is picking up in quality in this event and it’s none too late.
Whatley qualified for the Elites from the Opens and he started the season on fire. He had a great start at St. Johns and kept up the pace early.
Then he started dropping off the pace, even in Texas where he has won virtually everything. He and Lee Livesay figured to be heavy favorites there, but it didn’t work out that way.
Whatley has since struggled and fallen down the standings. He continues to struggle, but with the quality fish showing up today he has an opportunity to move up. He need it too.
He’s on the bubble for making the Toyota Angler of the Year event on St. Clair. But if he can survive and move up here, he will be putting himself in position to get there. That final event is close to home and is more in his wheelhouse. Be interesting to watch him today and through Fort Gibson.