Semifinal round under way at Red Wing
RCL co-angler champion to be crowned today
RED WING, Minn. – Dropping temperatures and winds gusting to 30 mph are forecast today, but most of the anglers fishing in the semifinal round are confident about their chances to make it to Saturday’s final. Look for big bags of fish coming across the weigh-in stage this afternoon.
Comeback kids
The 2002 Wal-Mart RCL Walleye Circuit Angler of the Year Tim Minnema of Markesan, Wis., and Lund pro Mike Gofron of Antioch, Ill., staged comebacks yesterday to thrust themselves into the semifinal round.
“I am just very happy to be here today,” said Minnema. “I think that if I can repeat what I did on day two, I will be able to move into the final round. I think it will take a weight in the high teens to move into the final round.”
Ranger pro Minnema was sitting in the 25th spot heading into the second round. He moved up 19 places to come into the semifinal round in the No. 6 spot.
“Yesterday, I knew I had to catch the weight I caught to move into the semifinal round,” said Minnema. “Today I will go out and give it my best shot. I have made a few slight adjustments in my game plan, but basically I am fishing the same areas I planned on fishing.”
Gofron knew what he had to do to make it to the semifinal round.
“I knew I needed a solid weight to move into this round,” said Gofron. “Fortunately the fish all came in the right order yesterday. I caught quality fish and could just put them in the livewell. The area I am fishing had so many boats yesterday I think it made an impact on the overall fishing. I am looking forward to fishing there today without all of the company.”
Gofron jumped from the No. 30 spot into seventh place, where he entered today’s competition.
Look for the majority of the semifinalists to stay in Pool 3 today, but some of the biggest bags of walleyes have come from anglers locking through to Pool 4.
The co-angler champion will be decided today. The first place co-angler can win as much as $150,000 cash with a minimum purse of $75,000 cash.
Weigh-in starts at 5 p.m. today at the Wal-Mart located at 225 33rd St. W., Hastings, Minn.
Today’s statistics
Sunrise: 7:16 a.m.
Temperature at takeoff: 55 degrees
Expected high temperature: 55 degrees
Water temperature: mid- to lower 60s
Water clarity: muddy
Wind: east-southeast at 17 mph
Relative humidity: 94 percent
Day’s outlook: possible heavy thunderstorms in the morning changing to steady rain in the afternoon; winds expected to be northwesterly at 20-30 mph; temperatures expected to drop throughout the day
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