Whatley needed this one

Brad Whatley had to be feeling pressure to perform coming into Chickamauga. He was in 41st place in the Angler of the Year standings – near the cut-line for Bassmaster Classic qualification. And Whatley appears to be thriving under pressure.

The 40-year-old Bivins, Texas, resident moved into the lead on BASSTrakk just before 2 p.m. Whatley started the day in 3rd place after weighing 15-12 yesterday. In another indication of how tough it is today, Whatley has taken the lead with only four bass weighing 8-4. His unofficial total is 24 pounds.