Wheeling out the limits
Day two under way in Alabama; FLW AOY title on the line
FLORENCE, Ala. – They caught limits by the boatload at Wheeler Lake on day one, and FLW anglers expect more of the same on day two of the final regular-season tour event of the year. Over 81 percent of the pro field landed limits Wednesday.
Pro Brent Chapman of Shawnee, Kan., was one of those who filled out his full stringer. Having placed 20th Wednesday with a five-bass weight of 14 pounds, 1 ounce, on Thursday morning he quickly returned to the docks that proved very productive for him early on day one.
“I caught a limit here within an hour,” Chapman said as he chunked a soft-plastic bait near a pylon. “But I caught my biggest fish with just 10 minutes to go.”
That seems to be the prevailing pattern among anglers this week: to catch a limit of 1- and 2-pounders early, then go for the big ones. The few odd anglers who manage to hook into a couple 4- and 5-pound bass, like pro leader Tommy Biffle of Wagoner, Okla., will be the ones who come out on top on day two.
While Biffle leads the pros and Mike McAdoo of Murfreesboro, Tenn., leads the co-anglers in the tournament, keep your eyes on the pro and co-angler races for Angler of the Year. Wednesday, pro points leader Dan Morehead of Paducah, Ky., slipped a little, placing 106th, and left the door open for David Dudley of Manteo, N.C., and Clark Wendlandt of Cedar Park, Texas, as well as several of the other top anglers in the standings including Biffle. Dock talk has it that if any one of these pros can pop a stringer near 15 pounds Thursday, the title will be his.
On the co-angler side, Quint Bourgeois of Knoxville, Tenn., and Greg Lineberry of Galax, Va., are battling it out for the top co-angler points award.
Both divisions will be cut to the top 10 anglers apiece based on a two-day combined weight following Thursday’s fishing action. With all the limits, catch weights have been tight. Look for the pros to need about 28 pounds to make the cut. The co-anglers are staring at about 20 pounds for their cut weight.
Thursday’s weigh-in begins at 3 p.m. at Joe Wheeler State Park marina, located at 4401 McLean Drive in Rogersville, Ala.
For FLW fans unable to attend the weigh-in in person, you can catch real-time results at FLWOutdoors.com with FLW Live™. It’s easy, and it’s free. Come back to FLWOutdoors.com at 3 p.m. Central Daylight Time and watch the drama unfold at Wheeler Lake as it happens.
Thursday’s conditions
Sunrise: 5:37 a.m.
Temperature at takeoff: 70 degrees
Expected high temperature: 83 degrees
Water temperature at the ramp: 79 degrees
Wind: calm
Relative humidity: 93 percent
Day’s outlook: isolated thunderstorms
Day-two links: