Semifinal shootout
Pros battle it out to qualify for top-10 cut, co-angler champion to be crowned after today’s events
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – With balmy temperatures, overcast skies and a severe weather warning from the National Weather Service serving as background for today’s FLW competition, the top-20 pros and co-anglers pulled out of the Mountain Harbor Resort marina shortly after 7:45 a.m. to kick off the third consecutive day of tournament fishing on Lake Ouachita. However, as thunderstorms and a massive cold front approached, anglers were prepared to lay it all on the line – literally and figuratively.
At stake in today’s co-angler competition is the top prize of $15,000 – to be handed out shortly after the conclusion of today’s 5 p.m. weigh-in. For the pros, the goal is to catch enough fish to advance to tomorrow’s final as only the top-10 pros will survive today’s cut. Pros lucky enough to advance to Saturday’s competition will battle it out for a first-place check of $110,000.
FLW competition on Lake Ouachita began last Wednesday with 350 anglers from 30 states and Japan. Since that time, however, 310 anglers have been eliminated.
FLW action continues at today’s weigh-in, scheduled to take place at 5 p.m. at the Wal-Mart Supercenter store, located at 1601 Albert Pike Boulevard in Hot Springs, Ark.
Vital statistics
Sunrise: 6:24 a.m.
Temperature at takeoff: 68 degrees
Expected high temperature: 70 degrees
Water temperature: 50 degrees
Wind: From the west at 8 mph
Relative humidity: 87 percent
Day’s outlook: Scattered, strong thunderstorms
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