Into the great wide Open
Top-10 FLW Tour pros head out onto Beaver Lake one final time in search of 2009 Walmart Open tournament title
ROGERS, Ark. – On a brisk, misty morning the top-10 FLW Tour pros made their way through the crowds, jumped into their boats and departed Prairie Creek marina shortly after 6:30 a.m. to embark on the most important journey they’ve taken all week. With a $200,000 first-place prize and tournament title at stake, the pro finalists hit the open waters of Beaver Lake stalking elusive big bass as well as each other.
In the driver’s seat literally and figurative was Jason Christie of Park Hill, Okla., who currently leads the entire pro field with 12 pounds, 15 ounces. For Christie, his mission is crystal clear.
“The only gameplan I have is to get five bites and get them in the boat,” said Christie.
Unlike many of the top pros, Christie has his sights set exclusively on largemouth bass, eschewing Kentucky spotted bass and smallmouth for the larger green fish. The way Christie figures it, with $200,000 up for grabs, why mess around with small fish?
“I’m trying to fish to win and that’s why I’m fishing for largemouth,” said Christie.
Christie, who holds a 1-pound, 15-ounce edge of nearest rival Mark Rose of Marion, Ark., says he’s targeting largemouth bass in the back of cuts and pockets that have taken refuge under “trash piles” and other floating debris such as driftwood and other buoyant materials that have piled up as a result of the numerous storms that have hit the northwest Arkansas area over the past few weeks.
“When the sun gets high those fish are looking for the most shade they can get,” said Christie, whose biggest tournament victory to date was a Stren Series event on Lake of the Ozarks in 2007 where he netted $65,000. “I’m basically flipping and targeting one big area. I don’t really have another pattern so it’s pretty much a one-rod deal for me today.”
So with the final day upon him in the biggest tournament of his career by far, how are the nerves?
“I’m not feeling a lot of pressure right now,” said Christie. “But maybe that’s just because I’m too tired.”
Meanwhile, legendary pro Jay Yelas of Corvallis, Ore., represents one of the nine other pros attempting to knock Christie of his perch. However, Yelas acknowledges that it won’t be easy.
“Right now I figure that I need about 14 pounds or so today to win,” said Yelas, who currently resides in fifth place with an 8-pound, 3-ounce catch. “I’d love to catch five of those big fish ones (largemouth) today because that’s what I’m probably going to have to do to win.”
To maximize his chances at victory, Yelas said he’s going to stay relatively close to the marina in the early morning hours to try to catch a limit. Then he’s going hunting for the tough-to-find 4-pounders which most likely will be the key to victory on Beaver Lake.
“I’m fishing up river in stained water but I haven’t been getting good bites there until about 11 a.m.” said Yelas. “So I’m not going to go there early and bang my head against the wall. I’m going to stay around here and see what I can catch. Then I’m going to head up river and try to win the tournament.”
Tournament format
After three hard-fought days of fishing, the top-10 pros have one final day to lay claim to the tournament title. Per tournament rules, the top prize will go to the angler who produces the heaviest two-day catch from Saturday and Sunday.
The total purse for the Walmart Open event at Beaver Lake is more than $1.1 million, including a top prize of $200,000.
Bass-fishing fans take note
Today’s final weigh-in will be held at the John Q. Hammons Center located at 3303 Pinnacle Hills Parkway in Rogers, Ark., beginning at 4 p.m.
In conjunction with the weigh-ins Saturday and Sunday, FLW Outdoors will host a free Family Fun Zone and outdoor show at the John Q. Hammons Center from noon to 4 p.m. today. 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 on Sunday will receive a free rod and reel combo while supplies last. One lucky member of the audience will also walk away with a new Ranger boat during the final 4 p.m. weigh-in Sunday, May 17.
Admission and all activities are free and open to the public.
Virtual weigh-in only a click away
Want to watch the weigh in live but can’t make it in person? Then tune into FLW Live on FLWOutdoors.com shortly before 3 p.m. Central time to watch live streaming video and audio of Friday’s opening-round weigh in.
Vital statistics:
Sunrise: 6:08 a.m.
Temperature at takeoff: 44 degrees
Expected high temperature: 68 degrees
Water temperature: 67-71 degrees
Wind: From the east-northeast at 10-15 mph
Maximum humidity: 48 percent
Day’s outlook: Sunny