Martin out, Stracner in

Joshua Stracner (1st, 14 - 12)

A shakeup is in the works in the points race for the Bassmaster Eastern Opens Angler of the Year. 

After catching only one keeper on Thursday, Scott Martin dropped from the lead to ninth place in the standings. Thursday leader Josh Stracner took first on the strength of his overall lead in the tournament underway at Cherokee Lake Martin is also ninth in the Falcon Rods Bassmaster Opens Angler of the Year overall standings. 

Martin now has one final shot here at gaining points, unless he rebounds and makes it into Championship Saturday. The final Eastern Open is in early December at Lay Lake. 

Here is how the Eastern points stack up as of yesterday, keeping in mind the top four anglers are eligible for invitations to the 2021 Bassmaster Elite Series. 

1. Josh Stracner
2. Patrick Walters [already qualified]
3. Pat Schlapper
4. Timmy Thompkins
5. Bryan New
6. Andy Hribar [fourth in the tournament after Thursday]