FLW Tour off to soggy start on Kentucky Lake
Competitors suit up for rainy opening day that could involve severe weather
BENTON, Ky. – So far, Kentucky and Barkley lakes aren’t being kind hosts to the Wal-Mart FLW Tour competitors gathered here for the tournament trail’s fifth regular-season stop. For example, on this rainy Wednesday morning of day one, anglers drove on flooded roads to reach the marina while listening to forecasts that called for not only more rain but also possible tornadoes.
Local pro Terry Bolton of Paducah, Ky., a well-known Kentucky Lake stick, was decidedly glum when discussing today’s outlook. “I’m not very excited this morning,” he said. “I’m really kind of apprehensive. For what I’m wanting to do, it’s not good. I may have to change my plans.”
Out of 200 pros and 200 co-anglers competing in this week’s event, Bolton is probably not the only one looking at a change in plans. Though Bolton says the fishing should turn out to be pretty good on the big lakes this week, the gloomy weather is probably going to affect the structure fishermen, and those are likely numerous.
“This weather will give the shallow guys an edge over guys fishing structure,” Bolton said. “I’m sure we’ll get a rise in the water that will make it difficult to catch. The fish aren’t eating it up out there anyway.”
Even on a bad day, though, Kentucky-Barkley can produce as well as lesser fisheries, and thus Bolton expects today’s top 10 pros to have 16 pounds and change. In the meantime, competitors will hunker down in their rain suits and hope the strong storms pass them by.
Logistics
Hosted by the Marshall County Chamber of Commerce and Marshall County Tourist Commission, the tournament features 400 anglers from 37 states, Japan, Spain and Australia, with 200 of the world’s best bass pros fishing for a top award of $100,000 cash. Two hundred co-anglers will compete for a top award of $20,000 cash.
Anglers will take off at 7 Central time each morning from Kentucky Dam Marina. Wednesday and Thursday’s weigh-ins 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 310 W. 5th St. in Benton beginning at 4 p.m.
The full field competes in the two-day opening round for one of 10 slots in Friday’s competition based on their two-day accumulated weight. Weights are cleared for day three, and co-angler competition concludes following Friday’s weigh-in. The top 10 pros continue competition Saturday, with the winner determined by the heaviest accumulated weight from days three and four.
Wednesday’s conditions
Sunrise: 5:50 a.m.
Temperature at takeoff: 61 degrees
Expected high temperature: 72 degrees
Wind: SW at 11 mph
Maximum humidity: 48 percent
Day’s outlook: variable clouds with strong thunderstorms