Pleasant dreams
EverStart anglers begin Western Division in Arizona
PEORIA, Ariz. – A field of 159 boats took off from Pleasant Harbor Marina amid the undulating desert surrounding Lake Pleasant near Phoenix to kick off the 2004 EverStart Series Western Division Wednesday morning. At stake in the season opener this week is an $8,500 cash prize, a Ranger boat and a $10,000 Ranger contingency bonus for the Pro Division winner. The Co-angler Division winner will take home a guaranteed $4,500 plus a potential Ranger boat in the contingency program.
Anglers have reported seeing isolated pockets of bedding bass in the clear waters of Pleasant, but temperatures might have to rise still a bit more before the full spawn hits the lake. The forecast calls for air temperatures to reach a high in the mid-60s Wednesday, and water temperatures at the ramp hovered in the low to mid-50s. The potential for rain this morning could keep things cool as well.
Pro Brett Hite of Phoenix won last year’s Western opener at Pleasant with a final-round sack in the 13-pound range, but he isn’t fishing here this week. However, returning runner-up Art Berry of Ramona, Calif., is competing. Incidentally, he took off in boat No. 1 Wednesday morning.
Day-one weigh-in festivities begin at 3 p.m. at Pleasant Harbor Marina located at 8708 West Harbor Boulevard in Peoria. Thursday’s weigh-in will also be held at the marina beginning at 3 p.m. Friday and Saturday’s weigh-ins will be held at the Wal-Mart store located at 18551 N. 83rd Ave. in Glendale beginning at 4 p.m.
The full field will compete for two days to determine the top 20 pros and 20 co-anglers who will advance to Friday’s semifinal round based on their two-day accumulated weight. Weights are cleared for the semifinal round, and anglers compete for one day to determine who will advance to Saturday’s final round. Only the top 10 pros and 10 co-anglers compete Saturday, and the winner is determined by the heaviest two-day weight.
Wednesday’s conditions:
Sunrise: 7:29 a.m.
Temperature at takeoff: 46 degrees
Expected high temperature: 64 degrees
Water temperature at the ramp: 52-54 degrees
Wind: from the north-northwest at 6 mph
Maximum humidity: 47 percent
Day’s outlook: morning showers