JEFFERSON COUNTY, Tenn. — On Day 1 of the Basspro.com Bassmaster Eastern Open on Cherokee Lake, Daniel Valois caught a 4-pound, 2-ounce largemouth that leads the Phoenix Boats Big Bass standings for the co-angler division. A notable catch, by any measure, but this achievement never would have happened if two distinctly different events had not occurred.
Venezuelan angler Daniel Valois is leading Phoenix Boats Big Bass standings for the co-angler division at the Basspro.com Bassmaster Eastern Open at Cherokee Lake. Valois was visiting family in Florida when his country closed for re-entry due to COVID-19.
Photo by Andy Crawford/ B.A.S.S
For starters, Valois has been on an extended visit to the U.S., since the pandemic kept him from returning to his home in Caracas, Venezuela. Valois and his friend Mauricio Marciales were visiting family in South Florida when their country halted incoming travel due to COVID-19 concerns.
Both anglers are members of La Asociación Venezolana de Pesca de Pavón (the Association of Venezuelan Peacock Bass Fishermen) and fished the Basspro.com Bassmaster Eastern Open on Lake Hartwell — their first B.A.S.S. event. Marciales was unable to make the Cherokee Lake trip, but Valois said his big fish has already made his second event memorable.
“I’ve caught bigger fish in Florida — I caught an 8-pounder,” he said. “But to catch a 4-2 in a Bassmaster event, I’m really, really happy.”
So, the other key event? As it turns out, an errant cast around 2 p.m. sent his 1/2-ounce Z-Man Jackhammer ChatterBait on a collision course with a dock piling. Not exactly his plan, but the end justified the means.
“My pro cast four times at the dock and then I cast, and by mistake, I hit the dock,” Valois said. “It seemed like that noise made the fish come out and just slam it.”
Valois caught only one keeper on Day 1 but placed 15th. With post-frontal conditions on Friday, his late-day heroics highlighted the importance of one big bite.
The Basspro.com Bassmaster Eastern Open at Cherokee Lake continues Oct. 30-31 with daily takeoffs scheduled for 7:45 a.m. ET at Cherokee Lake Dam TVA Boat Launch. Weigh-ins will be held at the Boat Launch at 3:30 p.m.
After Friday’s weigh-in, the Top 12 professional and co-anglers will advance to Championship Saturday.
The tournament is being hosted by Visit Jefferson County.
About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S. is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport, providing cutting edge content on bass fishing whenever, wherever and however bass fishing fans want to use it. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the 515,000-member organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), television show (The Bassmasters on ESPN2 and The Pursuit Channel), radio show (Bassmaster Radio), social media programs and events. For more than 50 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.
The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Bassmaster Elite Series, Basspro.com Bassmaster Opens Series, TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Series, Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Mossy Oak Fishing Bassmaster High School Series presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors, Bassmaster Team Championship, new Huk Bassmaster B.A.S.S. Nation Kayak Series powered by TourneyX presented by Abu Garcia and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic.
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