Arthur “Tom” Cole Leads Day 1 of TBF Bass Tournament on Douglas Lake

Arthur “Tom” Cole 1st Day Weight 17.63 lbs. – Staff Photo by K. Pless

Arthur “Tom” Cole leads Day 1 of this weekend’s 2 ­day Tennessee Bass Federation, Eastern State Division Tournament, weighing in with 17.63 pounds.

Today began the TBF bass tournament at Douglas Lake.  The top six anglers from this weekend’s Eastern Division Tournament will join with the Western Tennessee State Tournament top anglers to form the Tennessee Bass Federation State Team. These anglers will then go on to the Southern Divisional Tournament in Alabama, fishing with anglers from Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Alabama.  From there, the anglers could qualify for the National Federation Tournament, then onto the Federation National Championship, and finally to the Forrest Wood Cup.

“It’s a long ride,” says Ron Riley, a long-­time TBF’er, “but it’s an opportunity to fish against the best in the world.”

Friday’s Leader Board: Tom Cole 17.63, Adam Jones 16.37, Benny Kyser 15.03