Pros take off toward Kentucky conclusion
Top 10 FLW Tour anglers endure wet weather in final showdown
BENTON, Ky. – The top 10 Wal-Mart FLW Tour pro finalists may face rain during the final day of competition at Kentucky Lake, but the winner of the $100,000 event will certainly not be all wet.
The full field of 200 pros and 200 co-anglers that began the four-day competition Wednesday had been whittled down to only 10 men by Saturday’s 6:30 a.m. takeoff at Kentucky Dam Marina. With the $20,000 co-angler winner – Stephen Tosh Jr. of Waterford, Calif. – having been determined at Friday’s weigh-in, the last 10 pros standing are vying for the big payoff.
The heated battle for the Kentucky Lake title got off to a relatively chilly start, however. The temperature at takeoff, 54 degrees, was way cooler than yesterday’s starting conditions with light rain adding to the meteorological adversity. In fact, today’s expected high of 71 degrees would only match Friday’s takeoff temp.
It’s likely a safe assumption, though, that the thrill of competing for 100 grand – not to mention significant payouts for all of the finalists – outweighs the human desire for comfort. The checks for second through 10th place range from $37,000 to $13,000.
Pro David Fritts of Lexington, N.C. – a four-time FLW Tour winner – has yet to relinquish his lead at the Kentucky Lake event. Over the first three days of competition, his weights – presently totaling just over 60 pounds – have been enough to stave off his competitors. But the push for the finish line has yielded an incredibly tight race with barely more than 2 pounds separating Fritts from seventh place.
After yesterday’s weigh-in, Fritts’ fiercest challenger is last year’s FLW Tour Championship winner, David Dudley of Lynchburg, Va. But on Kentucky and Barkley lakes, known for their copious quantities of bass, anyone still has a legitimate shot at the top prize. The winner of the event will be determined by the heaviest two-day catch weight accumulated over Friday and Saturday.
The conclusion of the 2004 FLW event taking place near FLW Outdoors headquarters in Benton is sure to provide edge-of-the-seat excitement for bass-fishing fans.
Saturday’s final weigh-in begins at 3 p.m. at the Wal-Mart store located at 310 W. Fifth St. in Benton. The Family Fun Zone – featuring interactive displays, product samples and games for the entire family to enjoy – is also free and open to the public. It opens at 11 a.m. at Wal-Mart.
For bass-fishing fans unable to attend the festivities in person, you can catch all the weigh-in action live at FLWOutdoors.com with FLW Live. Show time starts at 3 p.m. Central.
Saturday’s conditions:
Sunrise: 5:46 a.m.
Temperature at takeoff: 54 degrees
Expected high temperature: 71 degrees
Water temperature at the ramp: 70 degrees
Wind: from the northeast at 8 mph
Maximum humidity: 75 percent
Conditions during takeoff: light rain
Day’s outlook: scattered thunderstorms