Crimson cooldown

Falling temperatures could further degenerate angling in FLW Series season finale

JASPER, Ala. – It is hard to believe, but many anglers described Wednesday’s conditions on Lewis Smith Lake as ideal. Who knew “ideal” could consist of torrential downpours and only eight five-bass limits among a field of nearly 400 Wal-Mart FLW Series competitors?

Today’s weather took another turn for the worse, if that’s even possible. Temperatures plummeted overnight to the low 30s, making Thursday’s takeoff feel more like the Detroit River in early April than Birmingham, Ala., in the fall.

Unlike Lake of the Ozarks, Smith Lake probably won’t respond well to a bitter cold front. On day one, FLW Series pros caught just over 600 pounds of bass. Most don’t expect that paltry performance to be duplicated again on day two. Once inconceivable, an angler really only needs five or six quality bites over the three-day opening round to earn a coveted $10,000 check, the minimum awarded to pros finishing in the top 50.

Pro David Fritts sits in fourth place with four bass that weighed 10 pounds, 9 ounces. Fritts, the Crankbait King, said he tried a variety of baits on the opening day.

“I really think yesterday was the day to catch them,” said the Lexington, N.C., pro. “The lake has come up, and that always makes for a tougher bite. Anything over one fish would be a bonus today.”

Although he experienced some of the best fishing among the entire field, Fritts realizes just how tough it is out there.

“I really think it will take 20 to 22 pounds to make the cut.” On the co-angler side, the name of the game is just to catch a single keeper. One 3-pound bass per day would put a co-angler in great position to make the top-10 cut.

Thursday’s conditions

Sunrise: 6:22 a.m.

Temperature at takeoff: 39 degrees

Expected high temperature: 46 degrees

Water temperature: 60-62 degrees and dropping

Wind: W at 14 mph

Maximum humidity: 73 percent

Day’s outlook: few showers 

The day-two weigh-in will begin at 3 p.m. Central time from the Lewis Smith Lake dam. For those who can’t watch the action in person, FLWOutdoors.com provides FLW Live, a real-time viewing application that is the next best thing to being there.