If you were sleeping anywhere near Knoxville, Tenn. early Saturday morning, there’s a high probability you were awakened by the sound of high winds, thunder and heavy rain from a strong line of storms that raced across the Southeast. In downtown Knoxville, the winds beat heavily against the highrise hotel windows, construction barriers were blown over and the roads to the boat ramp this morning were lined with debris.
Those storms have since exited the area and Day 2 of the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Toyota is under way. What that storm system has done to the fishing conditions as a whole has yet to be seen. John Cox is starting the morning in an area that was popular with many anglers during the 2021 Elite Series event, when he finished third.
To start this morning, Stetson Blaylock and Keith Poche are in close proximity. Shad have been busting the surface. In the very back of the creek birds are lining the bank, and the water temperatures have hit the 65-degree mark.
Cox is casting a Berkley Frittside 5 crankbait around shallow cover and riprap next to a bridge. He’s thrown a bladed jig as well. In the road running over the spot Cox is currently fishing there is a caution sign that reads “Standing water during rain events.” It will be interesting to see what the overnight storm does to water level and clarity overall. The water is dirty in this creek, but the Florida angler fished dingier water on the first day of competition as well.
Cox has caught one non-keeper bass so far this morning, but he’ll need five like his 14 pound, 4 ounce Day 1 bag to stay in the hunt for a victory.
