John Cox Wins Bassmaster Bass Pro Shop Southern Open

Photo by James Overstreet/Bassmaster _ John Cox claimed the top spot in the Bassmaster Bass Pro Shop Southern Open.

John Cox beat out local favorite Michael Neal of Dayton Tennessee at the Bassmaster Southern Open at the Bass Pro Shop of East Ridge Weigh in, Saturday afternoon.

Cox weighed in 15 bass over three days for a total weight of 68 pounds and 3 ounces to take the crown.

“I had a good day today and for the three days,” said Neal. “Think I’m close, but you never know.

“This has been a great time at home doing well. Next thing … load right up and head to Arkansas for the next one.”

The top five fishermen in the tournament were John Cox, 15 / 68- 3; Michael Neal, 15 / 65- 6 ; Hunter Shryock, 15 / 62- 6; Shaw Grigsby Jr., 15 / 61- 0; and Ish Monroe, 15 / 59- 6.

Photo by Kent Whitaker _ Dayton’s Michael Neal claimed the runner-up spot in the Bass Pro Shop Bassmaster Southern Open this week on Chickamauga Lake.

Complete results can be found at bassmaster.com.

Kent Whitaker, also known as “The Deck Chef,” is a culinary writer and cookbook author. He’s also penned Young Reader and History titles. The former winner of the Emeril Live Food Network Barbecue Contest also covers football, motor-sports, and bass fishing. Kent currently lives in East Tennessee with his wife, son, and a couple of dogs that love when he fires up the smoker or grill.

About Dick Cook

Dick Cook has lived in East Ridge since the Kennedy Administration when his parents bought a house on Marietta Street. Dick graduated from ERHS in 1976 before going on to the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga where he studied Political Science. Dick worked for the Chattanooga Free-Press and the Chattanooga Times Free Press for 22 years. Free-Press Sports Editor Roy Exum plucked him out of production in 1989 and gave him a job as a sports reporter. Dick covered everything from prep sports to the whitewater events on the Ocoee River for the 1996 Olympics. When Chattanooga's two paper's merged, he became the Crime Reporter covering both the Chattanooga Police and Fire Departments. He was among reporters who were honored by the Associated Press for the TFP's coverage of the 2002 fog-shrouded crash on I-75 in Catoosa County, Dick and his wife, Cathy, live on Marlboro Avenue where they are seen frequently chasing around their three grandsons.

About Dick Cook

About Kent Whitaker