Here's the situation as Bassmaster Classic competitors chase Ott DeFoe in the remaining two days of the tournament.
It was an eventful Day 1 at the 2019 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK's Sporting Goods. The Tennessee River wasn't as willing to cough up big bass as some of the competitors had hoped, but several were able to capitalize on the
DeFoe only boated eight keeper bass on the day, but the heaviest five earned him a 20-pound bag and gave him an early lead on Day 1.
Roy Hawk was second with 17-11, and Clifford Pirch was third with 16-11 after the Day 1 weigh in was finished.
DeFoe, a Tennessee native, wound up landing a 6-pounder that anchored his five best. Since he lives near Tellico and Fort Loudoun Lakes, the two bodies available to Classic competitors, many thought he held an edge going into the tournament.
Here's DeFoe's Day 1 Weigh-In:
The Classic gets going again on Saturday with the Day 2 takeoff at 7:30 a.m. from Volunteer Landing. The Day 2 weigh-in at 4:15 p.m. at the Univ. of Tennessee's Thompson-Boling Arena.
Friday's Day 1 takeoff at Volunteer Landing drew a Classic-record crowd of 5,500 spectators, according to Bassmaster.com.
Though milfoil isn't widespread or thick in the Tennessee, the anglers who've tracked some down have found it to be productive for catching fish.
As was expected and highlighted by two-time defending champion Jordan Lee prior to the Classic, the changing conditions of the river, water level, and weather made Day 1 very different from practice rounds just days prior. The angler who comes out on top will be the one who can adapt, and who can be at the right place at the right time.
You can continue watching the Bassmaster Classic live Friday-Sunday 8 a.m.-11 a.m. and 12 p.m.-3 p.m. ET.
The Day 3 weigh-in will determine the Bassmaster Classic champion, and is set to begin between 4:15 and 4:30 p.m. ET. Until then, you can check the live Bassmaster leaderboard to see who's on top.
NEXT: OTT DEFOE ON SMALL SWIMBAITS FOR WINTER SMALLMOUTH
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