A desert dilemma
National Guard FLW Series Western Division anglers face a variety of tough choices during second day of tournament action on Lake Mead
LAS VEGAS – As the full contingent of FLW Series anglers departed Callville Bay Resort and Marina shortly after 7 a.m. Thursday morning, the field had plenty to ponder as they hit the open waters of a suddenly bountiful Lake Mead. While Lake Mead has produced plenty of fickle bites in the past and been characterized as a predominant largemouth fishery, that appears to have changed.
But while that change has been welcomed in many quarters, a host of anglers were left scrambling to adapt to the “new” tournament landscape. With over a third of the pro field registering 10 pounds or more during the opening round of competition, pre-tournament predictions that 11 pounds a day would be enough to qualify for a top-five cut appear to be off the mark. In addition, the previous tournament strategy of focusing almost exclusively on largemouth bass (with the occasional smallmouth thrown in the mix), also appears to have run its course.
Now, it seems that a mixed bag is not only welcome, but necessary. While it is true that day-one pro leader Kevin Johnson of Valencia, Calif., netted all largemouth bass in Wednesday’s competition, his catch appeared to be the exception to the rule. To be sure, Thursday’s round of tournament action should produce some interesting results. Can the anglers in the middle of the pack adapt? Or will the current leaderboard remain relatively unchanged?
While those questions have yet to be answered, the one certainty is that plenty of game plans will be altered in today’s competition.
“The weights were a lot better than I though they’d be,” said pro Jimmy Reese of Witter Springs, Calif., who currently sits in 62nd place with an 8-pound, 12-ounce catch. “I left some fish our there yesterday and I’m definitely not leaving any behind today. My goal is to cover a lot of water, target smallmouth in the morning and then focus on largemouth in the afternoon. I’m not too far (of contention). If everything goes well today I should be all right.”
Reese said that the rising population of smallmouth bass has definitely affected the complexion of the tournament.
“Right now you have a lost of post-spawn and pre-spawn smallmouth,” said Reese. “And that smallmouth (resurgence) had definitely helped this lake. It’s also helping to spread everyone out.”
However, that being said, Reese certainly would love to get his hands on a few kicker largemouth bass – which so far have eluded him.
“I got all smallmouths yesterday which was kind of surprising,” said Reese. “I think I’ll have about four hours today to figure out how to get a mixed bag. I really need to do well today so I can set myself up for tomorrow.”
The same could be said the majority of the field. With 72 anglers boasting catches 8 pounds or greater, this is still a wide open contest. Throw in the fact that the wind could blow again today and it’s clear that nobody in this event can take anything for granted – and that goes for the fans as well.
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 Street 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.
Vital statistics:
Sunrise: 5:42 a.m.
Temperature at takeoff: 69 degrees
Water temperature: 60-65
Expected high temperature: 82 degrees
Wind: From the north-northeast at 16-25 mph
Maximum humidity: 14 percent
Day’s outlook: Mostly sunny and windy