In search of success at Sam Rayburn
Top 10 pros, 10 co-anglers vying for win in Stren Central finals
JASPER, Texas – The top 10 pros and 10 co-anglers have survived two cuts in three tough days of fishing on Sam Rayburn Reservoir. These Stren Series Central Division fishermen have been knocked around by big waves, whipped by cold winds and battled a relatively stingy bite since competition began. But Saturday marks a chance for all that hard work to pay off, and in a big way, as each angler has a shot at winning this event and reaping the benefits of being the last man standing.
The finalists should enjoy a well-deserved reprieve from the harsh conditions at Sam Rayburn if today’s forecast holds water, but they will face a new challenge: added fishing pressure. Myriad competitors from other events will also be competing in the warmer temperatures and calm conditions here Saturday. In fact, one additional tournament this morning had fully occupied the boat launch at Umphrey Family Pavilion, where Stren competitors have held takeoffs this week, so the Central Division finalists instead blasted off at 6:30 a.m. from Twin Dikes Park just down the road.
As many competitive anglers are fond of saying when things don’t go 100 percent swimmingly, however, “That’s fishing.” And the pro and co-angler who fish best today in this new climate will be richly rewarded.
Pros are competing for a top award worth as much as $64,500, including a fully rigged Ranger boat package, and valuable points that could qualify them for a trip to the $1 million Stren Series Championship. The top prize in the Co-angler Division is worth as much as $35,000, including a Ranger boat and trailer if contingency guidelines are met, and co-anglers are also competing for points to earn a berth into the season-ending championship.
Weights were zeroed at the start of Friday’s semifinal competition, and Saturday’s winners will be determined by the heaviest combined weight from both days, tournament days three and four.
Currently leading the pros is Toby Hartsell of Livington, Texas, with 15 pounds, 10 ounces. Local Jasper, Texas, pro Chris McCall is just over 2 pounds behind with a weight of 13-8. The third and fourth slots in the Pro Division belong to fellow Texans Jason Reyes of Humble and Cody Bird of Granbury with 12-6 and 12-4, respectively.
In the Co-angler Division, local Jasper fisherman Bill Guillory has a commanding lead after having hauled in the second-heaviest limit of the entire tournament weighing 22 pounds, 5 ounces. Co-angler Tom Medlock of Licking, Mo., has a 6 1/2-pound deficit to overcome, but has the best shot at catching Guillory with his weight of 15-13.
All of these anglers have adroitly outfished the elements and challenges this week on Sam Rayburn, so the talent pool here is deep enough that anyone still has a legitimate shot at walking away with a victory. To be sure, today’s conclusion will be an exciting one worth watching.
Weigh-in watch
Saturday’s final weigh-in will be held at the Wal-Mart store located at 800 W. Gibson in Jasper beginning at 4 p.m. The public is welcome to show up earlier to enjoy free activities, including a trout-fishing pond for children, and product displays.
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 4 p.m. Central today.
Saturday’s conditions
Sunrise: 6:13 a.m.
Temperature at takeoff: 30 degrees
Expected high temperature: 66 degrees
Water temperature at the ramp: 53 degrees
Wind: N at calm
Maximum humidity: 100 percent
Day’s outlook: clear, sunny skies