College: Final day on Cherokee

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The final day of the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Eastern Regional presented by Bass Pro Shops at Cherokee Lake started under overcast skies and an unexpected north wind for the Top 21. I started on the leaders from Tennessee Tech.
The final day of the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Eastern Regional presented by Bass Pro Shops at Cherokee Lake started under overcast skies and an unexpected north wind for the Top 21. I started on the leaders from Tennessee Tech.
Garrett Enders and Cody Huff of Bethel University were 2nd place and like Days 1 and 2 they started within sight of the leaders on an off-shore spot.
Garrett Enders and Cody Huff of Bethel University were 2nd place and like Days 1 and 2 they started within sight of the leaders on an off-shore spot.
Tennessee Tech's Sam Carris and John Berry were looking to lead wire-to-wire to take the title.
Tennessee Tech’s Sam Carris and John Berry were looking to lead wire-to-wire to take the title.
After numerous short fish and just one keeper, Tennessee Tech bails on spot number one.
After numerous short fish and just one keeper, Tennessee Tech bails on spot number one.
Bethel was also struggling and didn't have a keeper yet.
Bethel was also struggling and didn’t have a keeper yet.
Until Huff hooked up.
Until Huff hooked up.
Keeper number 1 for the 2nd place Bethel team.
Keeper number 1 for the 2nd place Bethel team.
I left Bethel and found Tennessee Tech again. Berry was getting a closer look at their electronics.
I left Bethel and found Tennessee Tech again. Berry was getting a closer look at their electronics.
But that was short lived and they took off.
But that was short lived and they took off.
Carris hooks up at their next spot.
Carris hooks up at their next spot.
But it was a non-keeper.
But it was a non-keeper.
I left in search of 5th place Alabama as they had a quick start to their day.
I left in search of 5th place Alabama as they had a quick start to their day.
Anderson Aldag and Lee Mattox already had a limit and were culling.
Anderson Aldag and Lee Mattox already had a limit and were culling.
Meanwhile, Tennessee Tech was running to another spot.
Meanwhile, Tennessee Tech was running to another spot.
Aldag and Mattox had been in a fish catching frenzy just before I arrived...
Aldag and Mattox had been in a fish catching frenzy just before I arrived…
And in the midst of the battles they didn't cull one fish and had to inform Hank Weldon of their infraction. They released their smallest and were docked with a 2-pound penalty for having over the limit in the livewell. It's an error that numerous Elite Series pros have made, but in a tight weight tournament, a 2-pound penalty is killer.
And in the midst of the battles they didn’t cull one fish and had to inform Hank Weldon of their infraction. They released their smallest and were docked with a 2-pound penalty for having over the limit in the livewell. It’s an error that numerous Elite Series pros have made, but in a tight weight tournament, a 2-pound penalty is killer.
3rd place Bryan College has been solid all week and had a limit early on as well.
3rd place Bryan College has been solid all week and had a limit early on as well.
Then Nathan Bell hooked up.
Then Nathan Bell hooked up.
Cole Sands got the net and they were looking to upgrade.
Cole Sands got the net and they were looking to upgrade.
Bell was pumped for their biggest fish of the tournament.
Bell was pumped for their biggest fish of the tournament.
Each of the last three fish culled up their bag a pound each time. They were approaching 14 pounds on the day.
Each of the last three fish culled up their bag a pound each time. They were approaching 14 pounds on the day.
John Garrett and Brian Pahl of Bethel University were in 4th place coming into Championship Saturday.
John Garrett and Brian Pahl of Bethel University were in 4th place coming into Championship Saturday.
They had just filled their limit and Pahl was hooked up hoping to make a cull.
They had just filled their limit and Pahl was hooked up hoping to make a cull.
It indeed was a keeper.
It indeed was a keeper.
In the net and in the boat for the duo.
In the net and in the boat for the duo.
Meanwhile Garrett hooked up as Pahl was putting it in the livewell.
Meanwhile Garrett hooked up as Pahl was putting it in the livewell.
He made a quick cull and went to assist.
He made a quick cull and went to assist.
He didn't need the net and decided to swing it in. The final weigh-in is going to be tight as it was a tough day overall, but every ounce will count.
He didn’t need the net and decided to swing it in. The final weigh-in is going to be tight as it was a tough day overall, but every ounce will count.