PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. – Michael Neal knew he had ground to make up when he started Group A’s Qualifying Day 2 on Lake Champlain Saturday morning. During his first day of competition at the Toyota Stage Six Presented by Googan Baits, he caught just 10 pounds, 8 ounces, leaving him 13-6 below the Toro Cut Line. However, if you’ve followed Neal’s career over the last few years, you know better than to count him out.

Fresh off a Pro Circuit Angler of the Year win, Neal made the most out of the change in weather conditions and put 60-7 on SCORETRACKER® during his Qualifying Day 2, which is more weight than any other MLF pro caught that day. He ended the Qualifying Round in ninth place. Now, Neal will compete in the Stage Six Knockout Round on Monday, where weights will zero and he’ll attempt to end in the day in the top 8 in order to advance to the Championship Round.