On a day that seemed inconsistent, Ethan Fields stayed on pace. He topped the Day 2 leaderboard at the Bass Pro Shops-presented Nitro Boats Bassmaster Elite Qualifier on Toledo Bend Reservoir.
While many of the first day’s top performers struggled to reconnect with their first-round quality, the pro from Carlyle, Ill., backed up his opening limit of 28 pounds, 2 ounces with a Day 2 sack that went 27-4. With a two-day total of 55-6, Fields rose from fourth place to the top spot.
“I felt so calm today, which is kinda weird, because I was thinking about how I needed to back up yesterday,” Fields said. “This morning, I felt a little jittery, but once I got to my area, I was calm and steady.”
Heading into Championship Friday with a lead of 3-6 over Riley Harris, Fields said his second day actually delivered a steadier flow than his first.
Fields has done all of his work in a creek at the lake’s lower end. Clearly, his area fits the criteria for big bass making their fall transition and chasing bait schools.
Fields said he caught his fish on finesse-style baits. An urchin bait rigged on a treble hook with a 1/8-ounce nail weight was his top producer.
“I was definitely trying to stay as far away from the fish as possible,” Fields said. “I’m working it just like you would a jerkbait — I’m snapping it away from them and waiting for them to come up and eat it.
As Fields explained, his opportunities for quality fish were few and far between. Realizing this, he adjusted his approach to make the most of every one.
Looking ahead to the final round, Fields said he sees no reason to change what has worked for two days.
After placing second on Day 1 with 30-10, Harris added 21-6 and held that position with a two-day total of 52 pounds.
Hailing from Orange, Texas, Harris said he believes he was still around the same quality of fish as he caught on Day 1, but increased fishing pressure had them in an uncooperative mood.
Harris said he started on his offshore school first thing in the morning, but the fish were not set up properly, so he moved to this shallow pattern. He caught his biggest fish, a 7-pounder, shallow. The rest came from deeper spots.
Buddy Benson of Dahlonega, Ga., is in third place, also with 52 pounds. Ties are broken by heaviest single-day weight, and Benson’s limits went 30-3 and 21-13.
A field of 131 anglers competed in the second of three “EQ” events. The series began at Norfork Lake (Sept. 23-25) and concludes at Lake Guntersville (Nov. 11-13). After the final event, the top-10 anglers in EQ points standings will qualify to fish the 2027 Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series.
Friday’s takeoff is scheduled for 7 a.m. CT at Cypress Bend Park. The weigh-in will be held at the park at 3 p.m.
Coverage of the Nitro Boats Bassmaster Elite Qualifier at Toledo Bend Reservoir presented by Bass Pro Shops can be found on Bassmaster.com. Bassmaster LIVE will be available on Friday, Oct. 23, from 8-11 a.m. ET and Noon-3 p.m. on Bassmaster.com and Roku Sports Channel.