Bertrand’s check cashing streak

Josh Bertrand is not having a great tournament here at Lake Chatuge. But that should not minimize the amazing season he has had. Bertrand is the only angler to make the top 50 cut in all eight regular season Elite tournaments this year.

Here are Bertrand’s finishes this year in chronological order: 20, 46, 6, 26, 44, 30, 8 and 1. That has the 29 year old sitting 2nd in Toyota Angler of the Year standings. Justin Lucas, who leads AOY only missed one check this year, with a 73rd place at Kentucky Lake. But he made up for that with five top 12 finishes.

“I’ve been lucky to get on a roll,” said Bertrand earlier in the year. “I’m learning better how to manage practice and the tournament. And I’ve been making less bonehead decisions.”

Bertrand has been a check making machine since joining the Elite Series in 2013. He has fished a total of 71 Bassmaster tournaments, including Opens, and has made a check 51 times. That includes this week’s AOY Championship where all 50 qualifiers are paid.