FORT MADISON, Iowa – With thunderstorms looming on the horizon, the 144 pros and 144 co-anglers departed Captain Kirk’s Marina, knowing very well that Thursday would not be an easy day on the water. The bite was tough enough on day one, yet things are only expected to get worse as the Mississippi River continues to fish small.
As is always the case, someone will figure out the fish. On day one that someone was pro Lloyd Pickett Jr. After experiencing some boat problems early in the day, Pickett kept a positive attitude and caught an impressive limit that weighed 15 pounds, 6 ounces.
While many of the boats have opted to run south near the town of Montrose, Iowa, Pickett had no choice but to stay to close to the launch. The community hole in Montrose is basically a gigantic lily pad field. Many of the better weights came from this area Wednesday, and questions remain about how much pounding this spot can withstand.
Pro Bob Snyder caught roughly a dozen bass on day one, but only one of them measured over the minimum length limit of 14 inches. He knows he’s around good fish, however. Yesterday his co-angler partner, Don Bakken, caught a 5-pounder and several of his fish measured just short. The Marion, Ind., pro fished with the crowd in the Montrose area yesterday and plans to return there again today.
“That’s the only thing I’ve found in practice that I can get bit on,” said Snyder.
When a certain area is getting this much pressure, Snyder likes to downsize his baits and go to colors that stick out in the muddy water. Today he plans to throw small buzzbaits and Senkos on the edge of the weedline.
“It’s going to be tough. This is a much better fishery when the water isn’t muddied up like this.”
After today’s cut, the top 20 pros and 20 co-anglers will hit the water again Friday in an effort to grab one of the 10 qualifying spots for Saturday’s finals. The winner in each division will be determined by the angler who brings in the largest, two-day combined stringer over Friday and Saturday.
The day-two weigh-in, which is free and open to the public, is scheduled to take place at 3 p.m. Central time at Captain Kirk’s Marina, which is located at 902 4th St. in Fort Madison.
On the Web
For fishing fans who can’t watch the action in person, FLWOutdoors.com provides FLW Live, a free, real-time viewing application that is the next best thing to being there.
Thursday’s conditions
Sunrise: 6:11 a.m.
Temperature at takeoff: 68 degrees
Expected high temperature: 91 degrees
Water temperature: 79-85 degrees
Wind: NE at 6 mph
Maximum humidity: 73 percent
Day’s outlook: isolated thunderstorms