Wheeler, Cox Lead The Way On Day 1

By John Johnson
BassFan Senior Editor

Jacob Wheeler has already posted victories on the Bass Pro Tour (Lake Eufaula) and FLW Series (Pickwick Lake) this year. Now he's looking to make it a trifecta with the FLW Pro Circuit on his adopted home waters.

The No. 1 angler in the BassFan World Rankings pulled a 24-09 stringer from Lake Chickamauga as the Pro Circuit returned to action with 54 BPT anglers added to the field in the first of three "super tournaments." He'll start day 2 with a 1-03 edge over John Cox, who's seeking his third consecutive win at the venue after prevailing in an FLW Tour derby and a Bassmaster Open in May 2019.

Three other competitors also exceeded the 20-pound threshold – Jason Reyes (22-10), Lendell Martin Jr. (21-09) and Justin Lucas (20-03). The lower half of the initial top 10 was comprised of Joshua Weaver (19-14), Christopher Brasher (18-12), Angler of the Year points leader Ron Nelson (18-08), Kyle Cortiana (18-07) and Tom Monsoor (18-07).

Wheeler, an Indiana native who moved to Harrison, Tenn. a few years back, actually lost his biggest bite of the day – a fish that he estimated was in excess of 7 pounds. He boated a couple of 6s, however, along with a trio of 4-pound chunks.

"Practice wasn't that great," he said. "I had a few bites, but I never got any big bites and the lake was fishing real small. Today I just let the day come to me; I had a long day (he was in the last flight of anglers to leave the dock) and I could just fish around. I didn't have to fish the same places I did in practice – I could run around and fished whatever felt right."

He said he made 30 to 40 stops during the course of the day. Most of them were offshore haunts, but he spent about a quarter of his time in shallow water. He had 12 rigged rods strapped down on his deck and nine more leaning against the passenger's seat.

"I fished some grass and some little places on the bank where I'd gotten bit before. I was running around like a mad man.

"Each day here is so different and I was fortunate to get a couple of big bites – if I don't get those I've got a 16- or 17-pound bag."

Cox also caught a couple of fish in the same class as Wheeler's biggest ones – both bit a frog during the stormiest part of a day that featured variable weather conditions. His enthusiasm level wasn't real high prior to that.

"I was running down the lake and it was pouring rain and I was hitting some spots going down," he said. "I was thinking that I would've been fine just sitting on my couch this morning, then that first big one ate the frog and I was like, 'I'm good. I'm glad we're back.'

"It felt kind of stagnant in the morning, like I wasn't moving a lot. I'd get bit and I'd think there was more to (that area), then there wasn't. That's how it's been here in the past, though; I've never had a 'juice hole' where I'd catch multiple fish. It's more just fishing. I thought I was gonna crush 'em after I caught those two nice ones, then it took forever before I caught anything else."

Reyes, whose boat was the 188th to leave the Dayton Boat Dock, had no inkling that he'd have such a good day. He weighed a pair of 5-pounders and a trio of 4s, all caught after 11 o'clock on a worm in shallow water.

"i started out on a ledge, just on the outskirts of the goods, then I went back and forth from deep to shallow and I had three fish at 11," he said. "Then I went back shallow again and the rest was like it was from the spirit world. I didn't catch a ton, but the ones I caught were the right ones.

"I definitely got dialed in to fishing slow. I got to the point where I needed a 4-pounder to cull and I was thinking I shouldn't burn any more of them up, then I threw out and caught one that was almost 5 and I said, 'Okay, that's enough.'''

Martin is in his 15th season at FLW's top level with a three-year break from 2010-12. He logged his lone top-10 finish way back in 2005.

Like Cox, he's focused on shallow water. His bag included a 9 1/2-pounder that took big-bass honors for the day – it came in the first hour.

"I had a pretty good practice and I think I can keep catching some, but I don't know if I can catch 20 pounds again," he said. "I'm around a lot of 3- to 4-pounders and there might be some other guys running the same stuff I am.

"I fished up the (Tennessee) River and one reason I started there is I didn't see many boats in practice. I might end up back on the main lake before the week's out because I do have some fish (offshore), but I hope I can keep fishing shallow for a couple more days. The water's up from all the rain and that probably helped."

Lucas came in off a 4th-place finish in the BPT event at the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes in Florida two weeks ago. He said he's always comfortable at Chickamauga.

"I like fishing this lake and I've always done okay here. I did a lot of looking in practice – I didn't fish a lot."

He made three or four culls during the day and his bag was topped by a 5-pounder. He said most of his fish were enticed by the new 7-inch Berkley PowerBait Straight Money worm.

He fished one offshore locale with other boats in the vicinity, but he had his sweet spot to himself.

"I always fish the same area every time I come here, it doesn't matter what time of year. It can get pretty crowded, but I still like it."

Notable

> Day 1 stats – 204 anglers, 173 limits, 13 fours, 10 threes, 5 twos, 2 ones, 1 zero.

Weather Forecast

> Weds., June 24 – Scattered T-Storms - 81°/67°
- Wind: From the SW at 4 mph

> Thurs., June 25 – A.M. T-Storms - 81°/66°
- Wind: From the SW at 5 mph

> Fri., June 26 – P.M. T-Storms - 84°/66°
- Wind: From the SSW at 7 mph

Day 1 Standings

1. Jacob Wheeler -- Harrison, Tn -- 24-9 (5)

2. John Cox -- Debary, Fl -- 23-6 (5)

3. Jason Reyes -- Huffman, Tx -- 22-10 (5)

4. Lendell Martin Jr -- Nacogdoches, Tx -- 21-9 (5)

5. Justin Lucas -- Guntersville, Al -- 20-3 (5)

6. Joshua Weaver -- Macon, Ga -- 19-14 (5)

7. Christopher Brasher -- Longview, Tx -- 18-12 (5)

8. Ron Nelson -- Berrien Springs, Mi -- 18-8 (5)

9. Kyle Cortiana -- Coweta, Ok -- 18-7 (5)

9. Tom Monsoor -- La Crosse, Wi -- 18-7 (5)

11. Andy Morgan -- Dayton, Tn -- 18-6 (5)

12. Dakota Ebare -- Denham Springs, La -- 18-5 (5)

12. Mark Davis -- Mount Ida, Ar -- 18-5 (5)

14. Miles Burghoff -- Soddy-Daisy, Tn -- 18-4 (5)

14. Tom Redington -- Royse City, Tx -- 18-4 (5)

16. Dean Rojas -- Lake Havasu City, Az -- 18-2 (5)

17. Brent Ehrler -- Redlands, Ca -- 18-0 (5)

18. Cole Floyd -- Leesburg, Oh -- 17-12 (5)

19. Jimmy Washam -- Covington, Tn -- 17-4 (5)

20. Eric Jackson -- Walling, Tn -- 17-3 (5)

21. Michael Neal -- Dayton, Tn -- 17-0 (5)

22. Alvin Shaw -- Camden, SC -- 16-15 (5)

23. Fred Roumbanis -- London, Ar -- 16-14 (5)

23. Brandon Mosley -- Choctaw, Ok -- 16-14 (5)

23. Bobby Lane -- Lakeland, Fl -- 16-14 (5)

23. Cody Meyer -- Auburn, Ca -- 16-14 (5)

23. David Gaston -- Sylacauga, Al -- 16-14 (5)

28. Justin Atkins -- Florence, Al -- 16-13 (5)

28. Dave Parsons -- Yantis, Tx -- 16-13 (5)

28. Anthony Gagliardi -- Prosperity, SC -- 16-13 (5)

31. Casey Ashley -- Donalds, SC -- 16-11 (5)

32. Jim Moynagh -- Shakopee, Mn -- 16-8 (5)

32. David Williams -- Maiden, NC -- 16-8 (5)

34. Dave Lefebre -- Erie, Pa -- 16-5 (5)

35. James Niggemeyer -- Van, Tx -- 15-15 (5)

36. Jordan Osborne -- Longview, Tx -- 15-13 (5)

37. Russell Lane -- Prattville, Al -- 15-11 (5)

38. Spencer Shuffield -- Hot Springs, Ar -- 15-7 (5)

39. Terry Scroggins -- San Mateo, Fl -- 15-6 (5)

40. Billy Hines -- Vacaville, Ca -- 15-4 (5)

40. John Murray -- Spring City, Tn -- 15-4 (5)

40. Bradford Beavers -- Summerville, SC -- 15-4 (5)

43. Matt Greenblatt -- Port St Lucie, Fl -- 14-15 (5)

44. Kyle Hall -- Granbury, Tx -- 14-14 (5)

45. Darrel Robertson -- Jay, Ok -- 14-13 (5)

45. Barry Wilson -- Birmingham, Al -- 14-13 (5)

47. Joey Cifuentes -- Clinton, Ar -- 14-12 (5)

48. Jesse Wiggins -- Logan, Al -- 14-11 (5)

49. Josh Bertrand -- San Tan Valley, Az -- 14-10 (5)

50. Matt Reed -- Madisonville, Tx -- 14-9 (5)

51. Adrian Avena -- Vineland, NJ -- 14-8 (5)

52. Kyle Gelles -- Pingree, Id -- 14-7 (5)

53. Alton Jones -- Lorena, Tx -- 14-6 (5)

54. Barron Adams -- Mineral Bluff, Ga -- 14-5 (5)

54. Corey Neece -- Bristol, Tn -- 14-5 (5)

54. Timmy Horton -- Muscle Shoals, Al -- 14-5 (5)

54. Evan Barnes -- Hot Springs, Ar -- 14-5 (5)

58. David Dudley -- Lynchburg, Va -- 14-4 (5)

58. Alex Davis -- Albertville, Al -- 14-4 (5)

58. Mitch Crane -- Columbus, Ms -- 14-4 (5)

58. Travis Archer -- Covington, Wa -- 14-4 (5)

58. Jacob Wall -- New Hope, Al -- 14-4 (5)

63. Mike Surman -- Boca Raton, Fl -- 14-3 (5)

63. Jake Morris -- McKee, Ky -- 14-3 (5)

65. Kyle Weisenburger -- Columbus Grove, Oh -- 13-15 (5)

66. Casey Scanlon -- Lake Ozark, Mo -- 13-14 (5)

66. Lane Olson -- Tigard, Or -- 13-14 (5)

66. Jim Tutt -- Longview, Tx -- 13-14 (5)

66. AJ Slegona -- Pine Bush, NY -- 13-14 (5)

70. Wesley Strader -- Spring City, Tn -- 13-12 (5)

70. John Voyles -- Petersburg, In -- 13-12 (5)

72. Cody Nichols -- Fayette, Al -- 13-9 (5)

72. Chad Warren -- Sand Springs, Ok -- 13-9 (3)

74. Skeet Reese -- Auburn, Ca -- 13-8 (5)

74. Edwin Evers -- Talala, Ok -- 13-8 (5)

76. David Walker -- Sevierville, Tn -- 13-7 (5)

77. Pete Ponds -- Madison, Ms -- 13-6 (5)

78. Robert Nakatomi -- Sacramento, Ca -- 13-5 (5)

78. Glenn Chappelear -- Acworth, Ga -- 13-5 (5)

80. Terry Bolton -- Benton, Ky -- 13-4 (5)

80. Scott Wiley -- Bay Minette, Al -- 13-4 (5)

82. Gary Klein -- Mingus, Tx -- 13-3 (5)

83. Matthew Stefan -- Junction City, Wi -- 13-2 (5)

83. Billy McCaghren -- Mayflower, Ar -- 13-2 (5)

85. Grae Buck -- Green Lane, Pa -- 13-1 (5)

86. Chad Grigsby -- Maple Grove, Mn -- 13-0 (5)

87. Roger Hughes -- Bartlesville, Ok -- 12-14 (5)

88. Tim Frederick -- Leesburg, Fl -- 12-13 (5)

89. J Todd Tucker -- Moultrie, Ga -- 12-12 (5)

89. Kurt Mitchell -- Milford, De -- 12-12 (5)

89. Jeremy Lawyer -- Sarcoxie, Mo -- 12-12 (5)

92. Chris McCall -- Palmer, Tx -- 12-11 (5)

92. Richard Lowitzki -- Hampshire, Il -- 12-11 (5)

94. Matt Becker -- Finleyville, Pa -- 12-10 (5)

95. Clayton Batts -- Butler, Ga -- 12-8 (5)

95. Scott Ashmore -- Broken Arrow, Ok -- 12-8 (5)

97. Todd Faircloth -- Jasper, Tx -- 12-7 (5)

97. Charlie Evans -- Berea, Ky -- 12-7 (5)

97. Bryan Thrift -- Shelby, NC -- 12-7 (5)

97. Darold Gleason -- Many, La -- 12-7 (5)

97. Cliff Pace -- Petal, Ms -- 12-7 (5)

102. Derrick Snavely -- Piney Flats, Tn -- 12-6 (5)

102. Keith Poche -- Pike Road, Al -- 12-6 (5)

102. James Biggs -- Euless, Tx -- 12-6 (5)

105. Kerry Milner -- Bono, Ar -- 12-5 (5)

105. Jason Meninger -- Saint Augustine, Fl -- 12-5 (5)

105. Troy Morrow -- Eastanollee, Ga -- 12-5 (5)

108. Jimmy Reese -- Witter Springs, Ca -- 12-4 (5)

108. Tyler Stewart -- West Monroe, La -- 12-4 (5)

110. Bailey Boutries -- Daphne, Al -- 12-3 (5)

111. Jonathan Canada -- Helena, Al -- 12-2 (5)

111. Bradley Roy -- Lancaster, Ky -- 12-2 (5)

111. Dustin Connell -- Clanton, Al -- 12-2 (5)

111. Dicky Newberry -- Houston, Tx -- 12-2 (5)

115. Nick Lebrun -- Bossier City, La -- 12-1 (5)

115. Jake Ormond -- Sterlington, La -- 12-1 (5)

115. Jeff Dobson -- Bartlesville, Ok -- 12-1 (5)

115. Jared McMillan -- Belle Glade, Fl -- 12-1 (5)

119. Braxton Setzer -- Wetumpka, Al -- 12-0 (5)

120. Wade Strelic -- Alpine, Ca -- 11-15 (5)

120. T.R Andreas -- Kerrville, Tx -- 11-15 (5)

120. Lance Crawford -- Broken Bow, Ok -- 11-15 (5)

123. Alton Jones Jr -- Lorena, Tx -- 11-14 (5)

124. Tyler Woolcott -- Port Orange, Fl -- 11-13 (4)

124. Troy Roder -- Brookeland, Tx -- 11-13 (4)

126. Mark Daniels Jr -- Tuskegee, Al -- 11-12 (5)

127. Bill McDonald -- Greenwood, In -- 11-11 (5)

127. Rusty Trancygier -- Hahira, Ga -- 11-11 (5)

129. Randy Allen -- Gilliam, La -- 11-10 (5)

129. Jon Englund -- Farwell, Mn -- 11-10 (5)

129. Kurt Dove -- Del Rio, Tx -- 11-10 (5)

132. Ryan Salzman -- Huntsville, Al -- 11-9 (5)

133. Ron Farrow -- Rock Hill, SC -- 11-8 (5)

134. Gerald Spohrer -- Gonzales, La -- 11-7 (5)

135. Shaw Grigsby -- Gainesville, Fl -- 11-5 (5)

135. Jason Abram -- Piney Flats, Tn -- 11-5 (5)

135. Paul Elias -- Laurel, Ms -- 11-5 (5)

135. Scott Dobson -- Clarkston, Mi -- 11-5 (5)

135. Kevin Meeks -- Smyrna, Tn -- 11-5 (5)

135. Josh Douglas -- Isle, Mn -- 11-5 (5)

135. Rusty Salewske -- Alpine, Ca -- 11-5 (5)

142. Dylan Hays -- Hot Springs, Ar -- 11-4 (5)

143. Boyd Duckett -- Guntersville, Al -- 11-3 (5)

143. Kelly Jordon -- Flint, Tx -- 11-3 (5)

145. Nick Gainey -- Charleston, SC -- 11-2 (5)

146. Greg Bohannan -- Bentonville, Ar -- 10-15 (5)

147. Jason Lambert -- Michie, Tn -- 10-14 (5)

147. Terry Luedtke -- Burton, Tx -- 10-14 (5)

147. Preston Craig -- Philadelphia, Tn -- 10-14 (4)

150. Zack Birge -- Blanchard, Ok -- 10-12 (5)

151. Zell Rowland -- Montgomery, Tx -- 10-11 (4)

152. James Elam -- Cleveland, Ok -- 10-10 (5)

152. Brandon McMillan -- Clewiston, Fl -- 10-10 (5)

154. Chip Harrington -- Olathe, Ks -- 10-9 (3)

154. Matt Lee -- Bremen, Al -- 10-9 (5)

156. Andy Young -- Isle, Mn -- 10-8 (5)

157. Jonathon Vandam -- Kalamazoo, Mi -- 10-7 (4)

158. John Hunter -- Simpsonville, Ky -- 10-6 (5)

158. Tommy Dickerson -- Orange, Tx -- 10-6 (5)

160. Randy Despino -- Colfax, La -- 10-5 (5)

161. Mike McClelland -- Blue Eye, Mo -- 10-4 (5)

161. Laramy Strickland -- Bushnell, Fl -- 10-4 (5)

163. Mark Fisher -- Wauconda, Il -- 10-1 (2)

163. Jordan Lee -- Cullman, Al -- 10-1 (5)

163. Bradley Dortch -- Atmore, Al -- 10-1 (3)

166. Brad Knight -- Lancing, Tn -- 9-15 (5)

167. Hunter Freeman -- Monroe, La -- 9-14 (4)

167. Britt Myers -- Lake Wylie, SC -- 9-14 (5)

167. Rob Kilby -- Hot Springs, Ar -- 9-14 (5)

170. Aaron Britt -- Yuba City, Ca -- 9-13 (5)

171. Joseph Webster -- Winfield, Al -- 9-12 (5)

171. Blake Smith -- Lakeland, Fl -- 9-12 (5)

173. Darrell Davis -- Dover, Fl -- 9-9 (5)

173. David Wootton -- Collierville, Tn -- 9-9 (5)

175. Jamie Horton -- Centerville, Al -- 9-8 (5)

176. Jeff Kriet -- Ardmore, Ok -- 9-5 (5)

177. Randy Howell -- Guntersville, Al -- 9-4 (5)

178. Tyson Patrick -- Midland, Tx -- 9-3 (5)

178. Robert Behrle -- Hoover, Al -- 9-3 (5)

178. Chris Neau -- New Orleans, La -- 9-3 (5)

181. Ramie Colson Jr -- Cadiz, Ky -- 8-14 (5)

182. Jason Vance -- Battle Ground, In -- 8-13 (4)

183. Woodard Chance -- Paris, Tx -- 8-11 (4)

184. David Perdue -- Wirtz, Va -- 8-6 (4)

185. Colby Miller -- Elmer, La -- 8-5 (5)

186. Roy Hawk -- Lake Havasu City, Az -- 8-4 (3)

187. Sam George -- Athens, Al -- 7-3 (3)

188. Alton Wilhoit -- Noble, Ok -- 7-0 (3)

188. Gary Yamamoto -- Palestine, Tx -- 7-0 (2)

188. Erik Luzak -- Fenelon Falls, On -- 7-0 (2)

191. Charles Sim -- Nepean, On -- 6-15 (4)

192. Clark Reehm -- Elm Grove, La -- 6-13 (4)

193. Kevin Martin -- Crown City, Oh -- 6-10 (5)

194. Chuck Stratton -- Chaffee, Mo -- 6-8 (3)

195. Bill Hutchison -- Bessemer, Al -- 6-4 (4)

196. Brett Hite -- Phoenix, Az -- 5-15 (3)

197. James Watson -- Lampe, Mo -- 5-6 (3)

198. Daryl Biron -- South Windsor, Ct -- 5-3 (4)

199. Tony Dumitras -- Winston, Ga -- 4-13 (2)

200. Dennis Cameron -- Travelers Rest, SC -- 3-8 (3)

201. Chris Whitson -- Louisville, Tn -- 2-10 (2)

202. Drew Ratley -- Shreveport, La -- 2-1 (1)

203. Ryan Chandler -- Hebron, In -- 1-11 (1)

204. Johnny McCombs -- Morris, Al -- 0-0 (0)