Making the grade on Lake Mead

Final day for EverStart anglers to position themselves for top-20 cut

HENDERSON, Nev. – For the majority of the 238 anglers who departed Callville Bay Resort Marina shortly after 7 a.m. this morning, there was both good and bad news. The bad news was that despite weather forecasts predicting another day of gorgeous conditions, the fishing probably won’t be a whole lot better than yesterday. However, the good news was that because stringer totals were so low during the first day of competition, nearly every angler still has a very realistic chance of qualifying for today’s top-20 cut.

Welcome to the wacky world of professional bass fishing. With only one day left to maneuver before the semifinals, pro anglers will be shooting for a combined two-day stringer weight of at least 7 pounds – the expected cut weight – after today’s competition. For the co-anglers, the task is even less daunting as 4 pounds, 5 ounces combined over the two days should be enough to qualify.

Currently, Mike Folkestad of Yorba Linda, Calif., leads all pros with an 11-pound, 15-ounce stringer. Meanwhile, Dale Merry of Phoenix, Ariz., boasts the top spot in the Co-angler Division after landing a 7-pound, 11-ounce sack in yesterday’s competition.

EverStart action continues at today’s weigh-in, scheduled to take place at 3 p.m. at the Callville Bay Resort marina, located at 100 Callville Marina Road, Las Vegas, Nev.

Vital statistics:

Sunrise: 6:04 a.m.
Temperature at takeoff: 45 degrees
Expected high temperature: 67 degrees
Water temperature: 54 degrees
Wind: from the northeast at 3 mph
Relative humidity: 41 percent
Day’s outlook: sunny

Related links:
Photos
Day-two pairings
Day-one results