Matthew Robertson, of Kuttawa, Ky., is leading after Day 2 of the Basspro.com Bassmaster Eastern Open at Cherokee Lake with a two-day total of 28 pounds, 8 ounces.

Photo by Andy Crawford/B.A.S.S.

October 30, 2020

JEFFERSON COUNTY, Tenn. — Holding his ground and waiting for his opportunities, Matthew Robertson of Kuttawa, Ky., took the Day 2 lead of the Basspro.com Bassmaster Eastern Open at Cherokee Lake with a two-day total of 28 pounds, 8 ounces.

After sharing a second-place Day 1 tie with Denny Fiedler of Wabasha, Minn., and trailing the first-round lead by 4 ounces, Robertson heads into Championship Saturday 3 ounces ahead of Fiedler. Turning in the event’s most consistent performance, Robertson added 14 pounds to the 14-8 he caught on Day 1.

“I’m fishing basically one spot,” Robertson said. “I didn’t know it had the ability to do this. I caught one keeper there during practice on Wednesday and rolled in there yesterday thinking I might try to catch a keeper and — bam! I don’t know what to say.”

Fishing in 20 feet of water, Robertson said his bite is not fast and furious. Rather, he’s having to pick his way to a daily limit.

“It’s slow, I’ll get a bite here and there,” he said. “I’m going to go back there and wing it again tomorrow. I guess I’ll sit there all day because I don’t have anything else.”

Robertson said his spot has several boulders, but the key element is baitfish. Schools of shad are moving in and out of his area and smallmouth bass are aggressively targeting the forage.

“I’ll watch them on my Garmin LiveScope and see a school of smallies bust up through the bait,” he said. “They’re also hanging around some of those big rocks.”

While a swimbait produced during practice, Robertson said the fish are not committing to his reaction bait — they’re only following and bumping it. Instead, he’s catching his bass on the same dragging technique that produced on Day 1, along with another presentation that he dialed in Friday.

“I had a little something pop into my head, so I rigged it up and first cast I caught one of those good smallies,” Robertson said. “So now I have two things to go at them with.”

Noting that he is focusing on a tight area, Robertson said he’s not moving his boat more than 60 feet.

“I’m just waiting for them to swim through and come to me instead of running and gunning and trying to run into them,” he said. “I don’t usually do this, but I’m just soaking my baits and waiting for them to roll in.

“I’ve noticed on this lake the fish are really roamers. I think different schools are running around and one will come through and I’ll catch one or two. Hopefully, some more will swim through tomorrow.”

Fiedler said he returned to the same scenario he fished on Day 1 and bolstered his first-round weight of 14-8 with another limit that weighed 13-13 for a two-day total of 28-5. He’s fishing the lake’s upper end and fishing moving baits in stained water.

“It started out much quicker today,” Fiedler said. “I caught three fish within the first 30 minutes, so I was happy about that. That settles you down.

“It took a while to get number four, then I went to my secondary spot. I filled out my limit and culled three times.”

Josh Roark of Bean Station, Tenn., is in third with 26-15. Despite catching the day’s second-biggest sack — 15-2 — Roark said he found about the same opportunity level as he did on Day 1 when he weighed 11-13.

“I executed a little better today; I didn’t lose any fish,” Roark said. “I lost a couple of good ones yesterday.”

Filling his Day 2 limit with smallmouth, Roark said he caught his fish on a mix of moving baits and reaction baits. Instead of a specific pattern, he covered a variety of spots from 2 to 40 feet.

Fiedler is in the lead for Phoenix Boats Big Bass honors with his 5-6.

Bobby Drinnon of Rogersville, Tenn., retained his lead in the co-angler division with 16-0. After taking the early lead with a three-fish limit of 8-5, he added another limit that weighed 7-11.

Daniel Valois Gomez of Caracas, Venezuela, holds the Phoenix Boats Big Bass lead among co-anglers with a 4-2.

Bassmaster Elite Series pro Patrick Walters of Summerville, S.C., currently leads the Eastern Open standings with 581 points, followed by Day 1 leader Josh Stracner with 579. Pat Schlapper is third place with 550, while Scott Martin is fourth with 541 and Timmy Thompkins is fifth with 535.

Justin Atkins of Florence, Ala., leads the Falcon Rods Bassmaster Opens Angler of the Year Standings with 1,009 points.

The Top 12 remaining anglers will take off Saturday at 7:45 a.m. ET from Cherokee Lake Dam TVA Boat Launch. The weigh-in will be held back at the Boat Launch at 3:30 p.m

2020 Basspro.com Bassmaster Eastern Open at Cherokee Lake 10/29-10/31
Lake Cherokee, Dandridge TN.
(BOATER) Standings Day 2

Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$

1. Matthew Robertson Kuttawa, KY 10 28-08 200
Day 1: 5 14-08 Day 2: 5 14-00
2. Denny Fiedler Wabasha, MN 10 28-05 199
Day 1: 5 14-08 Day 2: 5 13-13
3. Josh Roark Bean Station, TN 10 26-15 198
Day 1: 5 11-13 Day 2: 5 15-02
4. Joshua Stracner Vandiver, AL 10 25-10 197
Day 1: 5 14-12 Day 2: 5 10-14
5. Timmy Thompkins Myrtle Beach, SC 10 23-10 196
Day 1: 5 12-06 Day 2: 5 11-04
6. Bill Humbard New Market, TN 10 22-08 195
Day 1: 5 13-05 Day 2: 5 09-03
7. Jeremy Gordon Rutledge, TN 9 22-00 194
Day 1: 5 12-08 Day 2: 4 09-08
8. Spencer Peters Knoxville, TN 8 21-09 193
Day 1: 3 08-04 Day 2: 5 13-05
9. Marc Frazier Newnan, GA 9 21-07 192
Day 1: 4 10-03 Day 2: 5 11-04
10. Patrick Walters Summerville, SC 10 21-05 191
Day 1: 5 11-05 Day 2: 5 10-00
11. John Hunter Jr Simpsonville, KY 8 21-00 190
Day 1: 3 05-06 Day 2: 5 15-10
12. Andy Hribar Lakeville, MN 8 20-15 189
Day 1: 5 13-10 Day 2: 3 07-05
13. Bobby Lane Jr. Lakeland, FL 8 20-10 188 $2,933.00
Day 1: 3 09-00 Day 2: 5 11-10
14. Masayuki Matsushita Tokoname-Shi JAPAN 10 20-05 187 $2,933.00
Day 1: 5 12-00 Day 2: 5 08-05
15. Pat Schlapper Eleva, WI 10 20-01 186 $2,933.00
Day 1: 5 09-00 Day 2: 5 11-01
16. Justin Atkins Florence, AL 8 19-04 185 $2,933.00
Day 1: 3 07-10 Day 2: 5 11-10
17. Daisuke Aoki Minamitsurugun Yamanash 7 18-13 184 $2,933.00
Day 1: 2 04-08 Day 2: 5 14-05
18. Charlie Hartley Grove City, OH 8 18-08 183 $2,933.00
Day 1: 3 06-04 Day 2: 5 12-04
19. Brandt Tumberg Moore, SC 7 17-12 182 $2,933.00
Day 1: 2 04-10 Day 2: 5 13-02
20. Derek Lehtonen Woodruff, SC 8 17-07 181 $2,933.00
Day 1: 3 04-11 Day 2: 5 12-12
21. Brandon Palaniuk Rathdrum, ID 7 17-05 180 $2,667.00
Day 1: 5 12-02 Day 2: 2 05-03
22. Jacob Foutz Charleston, TN 7 17-03 179 $2,667.00
Day 1: 3 07-14 Day 2: 4 09-05
23. Joel Willert Prior Lake, MN 8 16-15 178 $2,667.00
Day 1: 5 10-03 Day 2: 3 06-12
24. Harvey Horne Bella Vista, AR 6 16-12 177 $2,667.00
Day 1: 3 08-01 Day 2: 3 08-11
25. Brandon Johnson Mt Sterling, KY 7 16-11 176 $2,667.00
Day 1: 2 05-08 Day 2: 5 11-03
26. Cody Bertrand Dyer, IN 6 16-07 175 $2,453.00
Day 1: 1 02-15 Day 2: 5 13-08
27. Brandon Cobb Greenwood, SC 6 16-07 174 $2,453.00
Day 1: 3 08-07 Day 2: 3 08-00
28. Keith Carson Debary, FL 8 15-15 173 $2,453.00
Day 1: 3 06-00 Day 2: 5 09-15
29. Andy Wicker Pomaria, SC 7 15-12 172 $2,453.00
Day 1: 3 06-11 Day 2: 4 09-01
30. KJ Queen Catawba, NC 7 15-08 171 $2,453.00
Day 1: 4 08-11 Day 2: 3 06-13
31. Bradley Hallman Norman, OK 7 15-06 170 $2,453.00
Day 1: 2 05-08 Day 2: 5 09-14
32. Brian Latimer Belton, SC 7 14-14 169 $2,453.00
Day 1: 2 04-14 Day 2: 5 10-00
33. Darrell Davis Dover, FL 6 14-09 168 $2,453.00
Day 1: 3 06-00 Day 2: 3 08-09
34. Brandon Tallhamer Parkersburg, WV 7 14-06 167 $2,453.00
Day 1: 2 02-01 Day 2: 5 12-05
35. Trevor Prince Blue Ridge, GA 5 13-13 166 $2,453.00
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 5 13-13
36. Greg Alexander Hebron, MD 6 13-06 165 $2,453.00
Day 1: 3 05-02 Day 2: 3 08-04
37. Luke Plunkett Pinson, AL 7 13-06 164 $2,453.00
Day 1: 4 07-09 Day 2: 3 05-13
38. Jason Casteel Winter Garden, FL 5 13-05 163 $2,453.00
Day 1: 3 08-11 Day 2: 2 04-10
39. Kameron Harbin Abbeville, SC 6 13-01 162 $2,453.00
Day 1: 2 03-05 Day 2: 4 09-12
40. Stephen Mui Odessa, FL 4 13-01 161 $2,453.00
Day 1: 2 06-09 Day 2: 2 06-08
41. Randy Blaukat Joplin, MO 5 12-09 160
Day 1: 1 01-06 Day 2: 4 11-03
42. Todd Goade White Pine, TN 6 12-09 159
Day 1: 1 03-04 Day 2: 5 09-05
43. Davey May Odessa, FL 6 12-09 158
Day 1: 3 06-08 Day 2: 3 06-01
44. Matt Lee Bremen, AL 5 12-08 157
Day 1: 2 04-14 Day 2: 3 07-10
45. Brad Burkhart Speedwell, TN 5 12-04 156
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 5 12-04
46. Allen Brooks Canton, GA 5 12-04 155
Day 1: 1 03-09 Day 2: 4 08-11
47. Joe Thompson Clayton, GA 6 12-04 154
Day 1: 4 07-05 Day 2: 2 04-15
48. Jonathan Carter Glenburn, ME 4 12-03 153
Day 1: 2 07-03 Day 2: 2 05-00
49. Freddy Palmer Estill Springs, TN 6 12-02 152
Day 1: 3 09-03 Day 2: 3 02-15
50. Justin Hamner Northport, AL 7 12-02 151
Day 1: 4 05-12 Day 2: 3 06-06
51. Chris Ferguson Wittensville, KY 6 11-14 150
Day 1: 2 03-06 Day 2: 4 08-08
52. Scott Martin Clewiston, FL 4 11-12 149
Day 1: 1 03-04 Day 2: 3 08-08
53. Bryan New Belmont, NC 6 11-11 148
Day 1: 4 07-05 Day 2: 2 04-06
54. Whitney Stephens Waverly, OH 5 11-10 147
Day 1: 4 08-14 Day 2: 1 02-12
55. Derrick Snavely Piney Flats, TN 4 11-08 146
Day 1: 2 05-09 Day 2: 2 05-15
56. Gregg Fogner Conway, SC 5 11-05 145
Day 1: 4 08-15 Day 2: 1 02-06
57. Scott Patton Paris, TN 5 11-04 144
Day 1: 2 04-07 Day 2: 3 06-13
58. David Kilgore Jasper, AL 5 11-03 143
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 5 11-03
59. Todd Castledine Nacogdoches, TX 4 11-01 142
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 4 11-01
60. Rex Nickel Huff Corbin, KY 6 11-01 141
Day 1: 4 07-10 Day 2: 2 03-07
61. Jon Canada Helena, AL 5 11-01 140
Day 1: 3 07-06 Day 2: 2 03-11
62. Hunter Sales Blaine, TN 5 10-13 139
Day 1: 3 06-12 Day 2: 2 04-01
63. Hermilo Salgado Artemus, KY 5 10-10 138
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 5 10-10
64. Jordan Burdette Knoxville, TN 4 10-04 137
Day 1: 2 05-10 Day 2: 2 04-10
65. Carl Jocumsen Queensland TN AUSTRALIA 5 10-02 136
Day 1: 2 04-00 Day 2: 3 06-02
66. David Williams Newton, NC 4 09-14 135
Day 1: 1 01-08 Day 2: 3 08-06
67. Tyler Berger Delaware, OH 4 09-13 134
Day 1: 2 06-04 Day 2: 2 03-09
68. Jeremy Maye Windsor, VA 4 09-13 133
Day 1: 1 03-11 Day 2: 3 06-02
69. Mark Pappas Dandridge, TN 5 09-12 132
Day 1: 4 08-03 Day 2: 1 01-09
70. Stephen Morella Townshed, VT 4 09-12 131
Day 1: 2 04-02 Day 2: 2 05-10
71. Trevor Topken Warwick, NY 4 09-10 130
Day 1: 1 01-14 Day 2: 3 07-12
72. Matt Mattingly Gravel Switch, KY 4 09-04 129
Day 1: 2 04-08 Day 2: 2 04-12
73. Nick Hatfield Chuckey, TN 4 09-00 128
Day 1: 2 04-03 Day 2: 2 04-13
74. Kenta Kimura Osaka JAPAN 4 08-15 127
Day 1: 1 02-00 Day 2: 3 06-15
75. Randy Huffman Charleston, WV 3 08-14 126
Day 1: 1 01-11 Day 2: 2 07-03
76. Gary Adkins Green Bay, WI 4 08-09 125
Day 1: 1 02-10 Day 2: 3 05-15
77. Cody Detweiler Orlando, FL 3 08-08 124
Day 1: 1 03-02 Day 2: 2 05-06
78. John Garrett Union City, TN 5 08-08 123
Day 1: 2 04-04 Day 2: 3 04-04
79. Kyle Austin Ridgeville, SC 4 08-07 122
Day 1: 2 03-10 Day 2: 2 04-13
80. Shawn Hendrix Sharpsburg, GA 4 08-05 121
Day 1: 1 02-11 Day 2: 3 05-10
81. Dave Turner Crystal River, FL 3 07-15 120
Day 1: 2 06-06 Day 2: 1 01-09
82. Greg Mansfield Olathe, KS 4 07-15 119
Day 1: 2 04-06 Day 2: 2 03-09
83. Garrett Rocamora Lithia, FL 3 07-14 118
Day 1: 2 06-01 Day 2: 1 01-13
84. Adam Neu Forestville, WI 4 07-14 117
Day 1: 3 05-13 Day 2: 1 02-01
85. Richard Reeger Gastonia, NC 6 07-12 116
Day 1: 5 05-14 Day 2: 1 01-14
86. Jason Burroughs Hodges, SC 4 07-11 115
Day 1: 1 02-07 Day 2: 3 05-04
87. Tommy Williams Shepherdsville, KY 3 07-10 114
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 3 07-10
88. Cody Hahner Wausau, WI 4 07-10 113
Day 1: 3 05-11 Day 2: 1 01-15
89. Christiana Bradley Goldvein, VA 3 07-10 112
Day 1: 1 04-06 Day 2: 2 03-04
90. Cody Huff Ava, MO 4 07-08 111
Day 1: 2 03-05 Day 2: 2 04-03
91. Hunter Bland Williston, FL 4 07-05 110
Day 1: 3 04-14 Day 2: 1 02-07
92. Alex Wetherell Middletown, CT 3 07-04 109
Day 1: 1 02-12 Day 2: 2 04-08
93. Andrew Thomasson Dublin, VA 3 07-00 108
Day 1: 1 01-15 Day 2: 2 05-01
94. Kotaro Kiriyama Guntersville, AL 3 06-15 107
Day 1: 2 05-03 Day 2: 1 01-12
95. Brandon Lester Fayetteville, TN 4 06-13 106
Day 1: 4 06-13 Day 2: 0 00-00
96. Tyler Ellis Battlefield, MO 3 06-13 105
Day 1: 2 03-13 Day 2: 1 03-00
97. Josh Hubbard Braidwood, IL 3 06-10 104
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 3 06-10
98. Rich Chriscinske Salyersville, KY 3 06-08 103
Day 1: 3 06-08 Day 2: 0 00-00
99. Barry Wilson Birmingham, AL 3 06-01 102
Day 1: 1 01-09 Day 2: 2 04-08
100. Ben Nielsen Lowell, MI 3 05-14 101
Day 1: 3 05-14 Day 2: 0 00-00
101. Cam Sterritt Newfields, NH 4 05-13 100
Day 1: 3 03-07 Day 2: 1 02-06
102. Corey Lindsey Blacklick, OH 3 05-12 99
Day 1: 1 01-03 Day 2: 2 04-09
103. Frank Ramsey Spring Grove, IL 3 05-11 98
Day 1: 1 01-12 Day 2: 2 03-15
104. Tim Frederick Leesburg, FL 2 05-10 97
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 05-10
105. Chris Kingree Inverness, FL 3 05-07 96
Day 1: 2 03-15 Day 2: 1 01-08
106. Preston Julian Seymour, TN 3 05-07 95
Day 1: 1 02-15 Day 2: 2 02-08
107. Timmy Cales Sandstone, WV 2 05-06 94
Day 1: 1 03-05 Day 2: 1 02-01
108. Nick Tate Knoxville, TN 2 05-06 93
Day 1: 1 02-11 Day 2: 1 02-11
109. Trait Zaldain Fort Worth, TX 2 05-04 92
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 05-04
110. Bo Goodin Harrogate, TN 3 05-04 91
Day 1: 1 01-00 Day 2: 2 04-04
111. Ken Iyobe Tokoname, Aichi JAPAN 2 05-00 90
Day 1: 1 02-08 Day 2: 1 02-08
112. Scott Pellegrin Chippewa Falls, WI 2 04-15 89
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 04-15
113. Michael Hall Annandale, VA 3 04-15 88
Day 1: 1 01-12 Day 2: 2 03-03
114. Wyatt Burkhalter Coker, AL 2 04-15 87
Day 1: 1 02-11 Day 2: 1 02-04
115. Andrew Upshaw Tulsa, OK 3 04-13 86
Day 1: 3 04-13 Day 2: 0 00-00
116. Lance Owen Greer, SC 2 04-13 85
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 04-13
117. Jerry Gallogly Jr North Tazewell, VA 1 04-12 84
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 04-12
118. Chad Smith Minnetonka, MN 3 04-07 83
Day 1: 2 02-09 Day 2: 1 01-14
119. Chris Peters Birchwood, TN 2 04-05 82
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 04-05
119. Chad Randles Elkhorn, NE 2 04-05 82
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 04-05
121. Teb Jones Hattiesburg, MS 2 04-04 80
Day 1: 1 01-11 Day 2: 1 02-09
122. Scott Siller Milwaukee, WI 2 04-03 79
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 04-03
123. Jason Christie Park Hill, OK 2 04-03 78
Day 1: 1 03-05 Day 2: 1 00-14
124. Darryl Halbert Enoree, SC 2 04-01 77
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 04-01
125. Colby Robertson Summerfield, FL 2 04-01 76
Day 1: 1 03-03 Day 2: 1 00-14
126. Chandler Stewart Waco, TX 3 04-00 75
Day 1: 2 02-08 Day 2: 1 01-08
127. Von Dilbeck Corbin, KY 2 03-14 74
Day 1: 2 03-14 Day 2: 0 00-00
128. Bryce Matthews Olanta, SC 2 03-13 73
Day 1: 1 01-11 Day 2: 1 02-02
129. Alex Redwine Blue Ash, OH 2 03-12 72
Day 1: 1 01-15 Day 2: 1 01-13
130. Craig Chambers Midland, NC 1 03-09 71
Day 1: 1 03-09 Day 2: 0 00-00
131. Steve Sennikoff Edgewood, TX 2 03-08 70
Day 1: 2 03-08 Day 2: 0 00-00
132. Garrett Rose Pipecreek, TX 1 03-05 69
Day 1: 1 03-05 Day 2: 0 00-00
133. JT Thompkins Myrtle Beach, SC 1 03-02 68
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 03-02
134. Josh Douglas Isle, MN 2 03-00 67
Day 1: 1 02-02 Day 2: 1 00-14
135. Mark Duerr West Allis, WI 1 02-13 66
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 02-13
136. Cole Drummond Effingham, SC 1 02-10 65
Day 1: 1 02-10 Day 2: 0 00-00
137. Barry Brandt Jr. Newport News, VA 1 02-05 64
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 02-05
137. John Maner Falkville, AL 1 02-05 64
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 02-05
139. Brad Knight Lancing, TN 1 02-01 62
Day 1: 1 02-01 Day 2: 0 00-00
140. Caleb Gibson Locust Grove, OK 1 01-15 61
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 01-15
141. Cameron Smith Wareham, MA 1 01-13 60
Day 1: 1 01-13 Day 2: 0 00-00
142. Ronnie Getz Sunman, IN 1 01-12 59
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 01-12
142. Dustin Reneau Mckinney, TX 1 01-12 59
Day 1: 1 01-12 Day 2: 0 00-00
144. Robert Gibson Niota, TN 1 01-11 57
Day 1: 1 01-11 Day 2: 0 00-00
145. Terry Segraves Kissimmee, FL 1 01-10 56
Day 1: 1 01-10 Day 2: 0 00-00
146. Robbie Harrelson Moncks Corner, SC 1 01-07 55
Day 1: 1 01-07 Day 2: 0 00-00
147. Jacob Powroznik North Prince George, VA 1 01-03 54
Day 1: 1 01-03 Day 2: 0 00-00
148. Anthony Dumitras Winston, GA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
148. Clayton Dyer Fayetteville, TN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
148. Guy Eaker Cherryville, NC 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
148. Randy Elliott Severn, MD 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
148. Derek Freeman Anderson, SC 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
148. Keith Iddins Knoxville, TN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
148. Denis Karachopan Rocky Point, NY 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
148. Matthew Mccarthy Marysville, OH 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
148. Kenny Mittelstaedt Minnetonka, MN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
148. Parker Mott Winter Garden, FL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
148. Jake Rossi Columbus, OH 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
148. Ronald Ryals Jr Live Oak, FL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
148. Jack Williams Kingsport, TN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00 .