Eyes on the skies

Dimmer, possibly wet weather on tap for final day on Lake Norman

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Cloudy skies and puddles in the parking lot told the tale of shifting weather for the final round of the Wal-Mart FLW Tour event on Lake Norman, but the 10 pros who made it this far realize that adjustment is the best bait in their box.

Leading the pack since day two, Sean Hoernke of Magnolia, Texas said he doesn’t anticipate any significant weather limitations, mainly because he has fared well by splitting his time between bed fishing and working the shad spawn around docks.

“I don’t think anything has changed too much – so far, so good,” Hoernke said. “I’m just going to do what the conditions tell me to do. My main goal today is to try not to force anything.”

Hoernke said he plans to start his morning by flipping a jig around docks.

In second place, Carver, Minn. pro Jim Moynagh trails Hoernke by just 10 ounces. Moynagh has been knocking on the door since day one, when he placed third and maintained that position on day two. A versatile angler with homerun potential, Moynagh is one to watch.

Anglers should have no trouble catching limits today, as Lake Norman’s tremendous productivity remains strong, even after three days of fishing. Gleaning quality bass from hordes of smaller fish will be the real challenge.

“If you can catch one big fish, you’ll be in the hunt – if you catch two big ones, you can win $200,000,” said Team Castrol pro Mike Surman. “I’m going to throw a swimbait first thing this morning and maybe a topwater. Those are both big fish baits and maybe I’ll get lucky and catch one.”

Surman thinks that overnight rains, plus the day’s forecast for mostly overcast conditions with afternoon showers may limit sight-fishing, but benefit his surface tactics. “I think (today’s weather) may hurt the guys who are bed fishing because they won’t be able to see as good.

“We may have a little stain in the water, but even more than that I think the overcast conditions are going to make it tougher to spot the fish. That being said, I hope that it will make the topwater bite and swimbait bite even a little better.”

Third place pro Scott Canterbury of Odenville, Ala. agrees, adding “The weather could play into my favor. My sight fish are just about gone. I haven’t seen any more moving in.”

Canterbury said he’ll take a flexible approach. “I just go fishing and adapt day-by-day. Sometimes you have to adapt hour-by-hour. If the wind blows or if it gets cloudy, I’m going to try to catch some fish on reaction baits. I’m going to throw a Berkley swimbait and if it gets windy and rainy, I’m going to throw a buzzbait.”

Art Ferguson, the fourth-place pro from St. Clair Shores, Mich. has caught a kicker fish of at least four pounds each day of the tournament – including the Snickers Big Bass on day two (6-5). It will be interesting to see if he can boat another big fish today.

Logistics

Sunday’s weigh-ins will be held at the Charlotte Convention Center, located at 501 S. College St. in Charlotte, beginning at 4 p.m.

Prior to the weigh-ins Sunday, FLW Outdoors will host a free Family Fun Zone and outdoor show at the Charlotte Convention Center from noon to 6 p.m. each day. The Family Fun Zone offers fans a chance to meet their Fantasy Fishing team anglers face-to-face and review the latest products from Berkley, Lowrance, Ranger, Evinrude, Yamaha and other sponsors while children are treated to giveaways, fishing themed games and rides like the Ranger Boat simulator.

Children 14 and under visiting the Family Fun Zone will also receive a free rod and reel combo while supplies last. On Sunday, April 27 during the final 4 p.m. weigh-in, one lucky member of the audience will win a new Ranger boat. Admission is free and you must be present to win.

The total purse for the Lake Norman event is $1.5 million, including $10,000 through 75th place in the Pro Division.

Sunday’s conditions:

Sunrise: 6:36 a.m.

Temperature at takeoff: 62 degrees

Expected high temperature: 69 degrees

Water temperature: 68 degrees

Wind: NE at 8 mph

Day’s outlook: overcast, showers possible