FLORENCE, Ala. – Action is underway at the second $550,000 Wal-Mart FLW Tour event of the season as 350 of the nation’s best anglers hit the waters of Lake Wheeler this morning for the first day of bass-fishing action.

Conditions for day one of competition in northern Alabama are sunny and clear but chilly. Air temperatures overnight dropped into the 20s and are expected to reach a high of 50 degrees by afternoon. The wintry conditions have kept the water temperatures down below the crucial 50-degree mark and may slow down bass activity during the four-day event.

During the first two days of the tournament, anglers will be fighting to make the top-20 cut, scheduled to occur after the last angler has weighed in on Thursday. On Friday, the winner of the Co-angler Division will be crowned while the pro field will be whittled down to the top 10 remaining anglers for Saturday’s final round.

Today’s weigh-in will take place at 3 p.m. at Joe Wheeler State Park located at 4401 McLean Drive in Rogersville, Ala.

Vital statistics

Sunrise: 6:38 a.m.
Temperature at takeoff: 38 degrees
Expected high temperature: 50 degrees
Water temperature: 46 degrees
Wind: From the northeast at 9 mph
Relative humidity: 62 percent
Day’s outlook: A mix of clouds and sun

Day-one links:

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