Las Vegas crapshoot under way

National Guard FLW Series Western Division anglers set to roll dice on Lake Mead during second tour stop of season

LAS VEGAS – A few miles away on the Las Vegas Strip, thousands of people will head to the casinos in an attempt to seek their fortunes and gamble that they have what it takes to come out on top. For FLW Series Western Division anglers, there were plenty of similarities as they hit the open waters of Lake Mead shortly after 7 a.m. to kick off the start of the May 5-8 event.

With water levels dropping, low weights and a fickle bass bite confronting them, FLW Series anglers have the odds decidedly stacked against them this week – much like their Las Vegas Strip counterparts.

“The fishing was definitely better two or three weeks ago,” said National Guard pro Justin Lucas. “The water levels have been dropping, and the fishing is a lot tougher. When the water levels were up, there was a lot more desert brush in play. But now that the water levels have (receded), there is a lot less cover that you can target. For the most part, there are not a lot of fish in this lake. And the (field) is going to start picking them off pretty quickly. It should be a pretty tough tournament.

“Some guys think it will take more, but I think 11 pounds a day will be enough to make the top-five cut,” Lucas continued. “And I think it’s going to take 12 pounds a day to win.”

Anglers are going to have to gamble with strategy and tactics as well. While largemouth bass will most likely be the dominant species at the weigh-in podium, smallmouth bass should play a significant role.

“Smallmouth bass have shown up quite a bit over the past few years on Lake Mead, so they’re definitely going to be a factor,” said Lucas. “Sight-fishing is also going to be in play. In some spots you can see down to 40 or 50 feet, so, in a lot of ways, you don’t even need fish-finders here because the lake is so clear.”

As far as strategy goes, Lucas believes a variety of baits will be employed. However, that being said, viable cover options appear to be limited.

“I think you’re going to see a lot of drop-shots, jigs, swimbaits and topwaters,” said Lucas. “But as far as cover goes, it’s pretty much just rock and desert brush.”

While conditions undoubtedly will be difficult and stringers almost certainly smaller than those caught at most venues, Lucas believes that the winning combination is not out of reach.

“I’ve seen some good fish out here,” said Lucas. “And those fish don’t move around much. So you can usually go back to the same spot and catch them if you missed them the day before. The trick is getting them to bite. That’s the hard part on Lake Mead. Because the water is so clear here, you can see the fish. But they can see you.”

Tourney format

The entire field will compete during the first three days of the Lake Mead event. The co-angler champion will be crowned after Friday’s weigh in based on the heaviest accumulated three-day weight. The top five pros will then continue on to Saturday’s final day of competition. The pro winner will be determined by the heaviest accumulated weight from all four days.

Throughout the week, pros will be battling for a top award of up to $56,000 in the Pro Division and a Ranger 177TR with a 90 horsepower Evinrude or Yamaha outboard in the Co-angler Division.

In addition to the Lake Mead bounty, all anglers will be competing for valuable points in the hope of qualifying for a shot at advancing to the 2011 Forrest Wood Cup, one of the most prestigious championships in all of bass fishing.

Bass-fishing fans take note

During FLW Series competition, anglers will take off from Callville Bay-Forever Resorts Marina located at the Lake Mead Recreational Area in Las Vegas, Nev., each morning at 7 a.m. For the first three days of tourney action, weigh-ins will be held at the marina beginning at 3 p.m. Saturday’s final weigh-in will be held at the Henderson Civic Center & Water Street District located at 200 S. Water St. in Henderson, Nev., beginning at 4 p.m.

Fans will be treated to a Family Fun Zone at the Civic Center prior to Saturday’s weigh-in from noon to 4 p.m. There will be a drawing for a $300 gift card, and drawings for rod and reel combos will be held every 30 minutes during the event. Activities in the Family Fun Zone include a Ranger boat simulator and assorted fishing-themed games.

All activities are free and open to the public.

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. Pacific Time to watch live streaming video and audio of today’s opening-round weigh in.

Coverage of the Lake Mead tournament will also be broadcast in high-definition (HD) on VERSUS. “FLW Outdoors” will air June 13 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. ET. “FLW Outdoors,” hosted by Jason Harper, is broadcast to approximately 500 million households worldwide.

FLW Series action continues at today’s weigh-in, scheduled to take place at 3 p.m. Pacific Time at Callville Bay-Forever Resorts Marina, located at the Lake Mead Recreational Area in Las Vegas, Nev.

Wednesday’s conditions

Sunrise: 5:43 a.m.

Temperature at takeoff: 73 degrees

Water temperature: 60-65

Expected high temperature: 91 degrees

Wind: SSW at 10-20 mph

Maximum humidity: 14 percent

Day’s outlook: mostly sunny and windy