Using the Kentucky blue and ghost morning dawn colors, Cox targeted shallow cover where largemouth are anxious to spawn. “I picked up some other stuff - a bladed jig and a couple of other baits - but nothing felt right. “I stayed in there, bounced around and grinded all day,” Cox said. With the winds blowing so hard, Cox went back to a protected area where he fished during the 2021 regular-season event where he placed third. The noted shallow-water specialist employed a Berkley Frittside crankbait in water so shallow he had to hold his rod tip high to keep the bait from digging into the bottom. While Gustafson was out deep, Cox was using a technique that was basically the polar opposite. I just have to stay committed and do what has to be done.” “But I really believe I’ll have my chances. “It was tougher than it probably looked on TV, and it could get even tougher,” he said. That was more challenging Saturday with the winds topping 20 mph, and he relied heavily on his trolling motor to stay on the fish. He has been identifying smallmouth on Humminbird MEGA Live forward-facing sonar and dropping his bait - a Z-Man Jerk ShadZ on a 3/8-ounce Smeltinator jighead - straight down, with an emphasis on keeping it just above their heads. Maybe that’s just a little bit of the luck factor.”Īs the water temperature continues to rise, Gustafson said he saw fewer bass in the deep holes he’s been targeting - something he said was predictable as more bass move toward the shallow areas for their annual spring spawn.
I don’t think I was really doing anything wrong. There were quite a few there when I pulled up, but I just kept missing them and scuffing them. “I didn’t really have to burn that second spot yesterday, but I went there today and took three fish off it,” he said. With only two bass in his livewell, he moved to his second spot and quickly found the fish more cooperative. He started Saturday morning on the spot where he caught all of his Friday weight but found the bass were finicky after he’d pressured them. In 2021, Gustafson did most of his damage in the canal that connects the two lakes, but his two best spots this week have been in Tellico. I just need to keep doing what I’ve been doing.” “I’ve just got to go out and get it done tomorrow,” said Gustafson, who has now led all six days of the two tournaments he’s fished here on Fort Loudoun and Tellico lakes.
His closest competition going into Championship Sunday will be Florida largemouth specialist John Cox, who sits almost 6 pounds back in second with 29-15.
FINICKY FOX SERIES
Using the same moping technique he used to win a regular-season Bassmaster Elite Series event here on the Tennessee River in 2021 - and to take the lead in this Classic on Friday with 18 pounds, 8 ounces - Gustafson added five more smallmouth Saturday that weighed 17-3 and now holds a commanding lead with a two-day total of 35-11. Not to a five-bass daily limit, but to the three-day limit of 15 he needs to be crowned a Classic champion.Īfter Saturday, he can say, “Ten down, five to go.” Since the opening moments of the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Toyota, Jeff “Gussy” Gustafson has been counting down. Gustafson continues march toward possible Bassmaster Classic title with big Day 2 on Tennessee River Jeff Gustafson of Kenora, Canada, is leading after Day 2 of the 2023 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Toyota with a two-day total of 35 pounds, 11 ounces.
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