Valentine’s D-Day
Semifinal survival, sweetheart limits are the hope of all anglers as they kick off competition on Feb. 14
FLORENCE, Ala. – As the sun crept over the horizon shortly after 6:30 a.m. this morning, 350 anglers from more than 30 states were busy trading in an arsenal of Cupid’s arrows, romantic dinners and conversations with loved ones for spinnerbaits, monofilament line and eight hours of hard-fought competition off the shores of Lake Wheeler. But if truth be told, these anglers wouldn’t have it any other way.
And who could blame them? With an all-important berth in the semifinals at stake in today’s competition and more than $550,000 in cash and prizes on the line, love of bass fishing is clearly in the air. However, with water temperatures settling between 45 and 49 degrees, it’s likely that the bass bite today could be as challenging, sluggish and unscripted as a blind date.
How everything will eventually unfold remains to be seen. However, one thing is certain. At the end of today’s contest, the top 20 anglers will advance to the semifinals while the rest of the field will be left explaining to their significant others why fishing is more important than flowers and a box of chocolates.
FLW action continues at today’s weigh-in, scheduled to take place at 3 p.m. at Joe Wheeler State Park located at 4401 McLean Drive in Rogersville, Ala.
Vital statistics
Sunrise: 6:37 a.m.
Temperature at takeoff: 26 degrees
Expected high temperature: 55 degrees
Water temperature: 47 degrees
Wind: From the northeast at 3 mph
Relative humidity: 72 percent
Day’s outlook: Mostly sunny
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