2017 BASS Elite Cherokee Lake Day 2: Jesse Wiggins Grabs Lead with 35-15lbs.

Wiggins not acting like a rookie!
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Jesse just off Open win and leading after Day 2.
(Photo: BASS)

With the Bassmaster Elite at Cherokee Lake having reached its halfway point, a trio of Elite Series newcomers are sitting atop the standings with a chance to make their mark on the trail very early in the season.
 
Jesse Wiggins of Cullman, Ala., came to eastern Tennessee this week, having already won two Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens in the past 10 months. Now, after catching 35 pounds, 15 ounces the first two days, Wiggins is leading his first-ever Elite Series event with a 1-6 advantage over Indiana pro Jacob Wheeler — a newcomer to the Elite Series who doesn’t qualify as a rookie because of his past career earnings on other trails.
 
Wiggins has relied on one incredible spot the first two days — and probably hasn’t spent more than three hours fishing it in 16 total hours of competition.
 

2017 BASS Elite Cherokee Lake Day 1: Crochet Grabs Lead with 19-07lbs!

Cajun Baby heats up winter tournament.
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Despite snow morning bite was hot.
(Photo: BASS)

Cliff Crochet is a noted shallow-water specialist who loves to fish green vegetation during warm, springlike conditions.
 
He found the exact opposite of that during Thursday’s opening round of the Bassmaster Elite at Cherokee Lake, but the Louisiana angler who goes by the nickname “Cajun Baby” put on quite a show anyway.
 
With early-morning temperatures in the low 20s and a peppering of snow blowing sideways across the lake at takeoff, Crochet took the lead with five bass that weighed 19 pounds, 7 ounces. Elite Series rookie Jesse Wiggins of Cullman, Ala., weighed in 19-1 and trails the leader by only 6 ounces.