There is always some Day 2 drama when the field is cut to the top 50 anglers following the weigh-in. Usually the cut weight is somewhere near double Day 1’s 50th place weight. In this case, it would be double Rick Clunn’s 10-pound, 3-ounce bag. But 20-6 sounds high for 50th place today, following last night’s storm and the delayed start this morning.
Every angler in the top 50 is guaranteed a $10,000 check, so it’s a big deal. And it’s an even bigger deal this late in the season because of the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year race.
Last week on the Mississippi River at La Crosse, Wis., was a good example. AOY leader Brent Chapman squeaked into the top 50 in 49th place on Day 2, moved up to a 23rd place finish on Day 3 and retained his place atop the AOY standings
Keep an eye on Chapman today. He was 53rd after Day 1.