Anglers battle bitter temps as multi-million-dollar bass event ensues
MOBILE, Ala. – A million dollars would be nice, but you have to wonder if it’s worth all this. Hundreds of anglers took off on Chocolotta Bay near downtown Mobile at 7 o’clock Wednesday morning to begin the million-dollar 2002 Ranger M1 bass tournament. While a gorgeous Gulf Coast sun rose over the proceedings under clear blue skies, most anglers probably had trouble seeing it through the tears freezing in their eyes.
“I’m excited about this,” said pro Scott Martin of Clewiston, Fla., as he geared up for takeoff. In 2000, Martin capitalized on a productive area of flats in Mobile Bay to win the Wal-Mart FLW Tour event in nearby Biloxi, Miss. “It’s a little colder than I would like, but I still think it’s going to be a good day.”
“Cold” is putting it mildly. The air temperature in Mobile just prior to takeoff was a wintry 28 degrees. But it was the wind chill, which was reported at an arctic 12 degrees, that had competitors and observers alike scrambling to put on every article of warm clothing they could find. Highs are only expected to top out at 45 degrees today.
The cold front will likely slow down the bass bite in the opening round of the four-day fishing tournament. But the allure of the top prize of $1 million for the pros and $250,000 for the co-anglers will more than likely keep every single angler tightly focused on the fishing despite the frigid temperatures.
Day-one weigh-in begins at 3 p.m. at Battleship Memorial Park outside of downtown Mobile.
Vital statistics
Sunrise: 6:21 a.m.
Temperature at takeoff: 28 degrees
Expected high temperature: 45 degrees
Water temperature: 45 degrees
Wind: From the north at 18 mph
Relative humidity: 37 percent
Day’s outlook: Plenty of sunshine. Cold.
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