A distant fish, hope on the horizon
FLW Series Western at sunny Havasu enters the final cut
LAKE HAVASU CITY, Ariz. – Tales of lost bass, a tough bite and even one top pro literally pushing his way into the top-10 cut lent a somewhat surreal atmosphere to the proceedings in Friday’s action at the Wal-Mart FLW Series National Guard Western Division opener on Lake Havasu. However, despite the looming presence of a hot-air balloon emblazoned with the cover art from Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon” album at Saturday’s takeoff, the task ahead for these pro finalists is pretty straightforward.
“You’ll need to catch 12 pounds today to win this thing,” said local favorite Mike Goodwin.
While Goodwin has led all three days coming into today and took off in boat No. 1 this morning, yesterday he lost a little ground with just a three-bass effort and ended up tied with Phil Strader in total weight. They both have 32 pounds apiece. If either Goodwin or Strader can muscle up one last double-digit limit, consider this tournament as good as won.
However, if they both falter – and Goodwin proved yesterday that it’s easy to stumble here at Havasu this week – nestled in third place just 3 pounds off the lead is veteran Jay Yelas. The all-world pro has been the most consistent angler of the week, catching limits every day that weighed 9-10, 9-12 and 9-10, respectively. To do that, he’s been working his way into relatively inaccessible backwater areas to fish for unpressured bass. However, yesterday that strategy almost backfired when he found the water low and had to push-pole his way into his area. Today, that won’t be an option, Yelas said, because the water has simply dropped too low for easy access.
Then there’s fourth-place Mike Phua, who’s still in spitting distance, just less than 4 pounds off the lead. He, like fellow finalists Goodwin and Gary Dobyns, said he lost a good fish in Friday’s action. If Phua had landed that late kicker, he might very well be in the driver’s seat today.
It’ll be tougher for everyone else, from fifth-place Eric McFarland down to 10th-place Chris Zaldain, to make up the ground and win because Lake Havasu has just been so stingy with its fish this week. Yesterday, the wind picked up, and that dropped the limit count to a tournament-low total of eight in the Pro Division.
However, anything’s possible. If Goodwin, Strader and Yelas somehow lay an egg and the other contenders go back and land those fish they lost in the earlier rounds, it could be an interesting day. After all, the big bass of the week came in at just over 8 pounds. So they’re out there. Plus, the anglers have been itching to get out and fish with the field cut down to just 10 boats. There’s a lot more room to roam today.
But Goodwin, who won the Stren Series event here in 2004, has plans of his own.
“I plan on going back and getting that one,” said Goodwin, referring to the big bass he lost yesterday.
For Goodwin’s sake, let’s just hope he doesn’t find there’s nobody home.
The stakes
Pros are competing this week for a top award of $125,000 plus valuable points in the hope of qualifying for the BP East-National Guard West Fishoff and a shot at advancing to the $2 million, 2008 Forrest Wood Cup, where the winning pro will earn as much as $1 million – the sport’s biggest award.
Saturday’s weigh-in will be held at the Wal-Mart store located at 1795 Kiowa Boulevard in Lake Havasu City, Ariz., beginning at 4 p.m. Mountain time. There is also a Family Fun Zone for the kids prior to Saturday’s weigh-in from noon to 4 p.m. at Wal-Mart. Activities in the Family Fun Zone include the Fujifilm trout pond, a Ranger boat simulator and assorted fishing-themed games. All activities are free and open to the public.
Saturday’s conditions
Sunrise: 7:34 a.m.
Temperature at takeoff: 47 degrees
Expected high temperature: 73 degrees
Water temperature: 50-55 degrees
Wind: NNE at 5-10 mph
Maximum humidity: 13 percent
Day’s outlook: sunny