Gloomy Guntersville
Another stormy day forecasted for Lake Guntersville
GUNTERSVILLE, Ala. – Anglers proceeded with caution into an ominous dawn Thursday morning for the second half of opening-round action in the EverStart Series Eastern Division event at Lake Guntersville.
After being thrashed by thunderstorms Wednesday, anglers were hoping for a break today. But from the looks of the Weather Channel and the dark clouds looming over Guntersville this morning, all 400 anglers are going to have to endure more storms today.
The inclement weather could cost anglers valuable fishing time since most pros wisely dodge storms by taking cover on the bank.
“I don’t fool around with them (storms),” said Andy Morgan of Dayton, Tenn. “When that sky starts cracking I head for the bank. Thirty minutes of fishing time is not worth a couple of lives.”
Many anglers, including Morgan who is in fifth place, reported catching a majority of their fish before the big storms blew in yesterday.
“I’ll have to get mine quick this morning, before the storms get rolling,” said Phillip Nunnelley of Cullman, Ala., who is in third place. “If I can get 10 or 12 pounds early then I can hunker down during the storms and not worry about losing fishing time.”
Tony Christian of Hull, Ga., needs all the fishing time he can get today. Even after his stellar rookie season in the EverStart Series, he stumbled Wednesday, catching 10 pounds, 13 ounces for 72nd place, and left the Eastern Division points title on the table.
Moving in quickly on the slip-up were Wesley Strader of Spring City, Tenn., and Sandy Melvin of Boca Raton, Fla., who have both moved ahead of Christian in points after one day of competition.
Day-two’s weigh-in starts at 3 p.m. at Lake Guntersville State Park. Both the pro and co-angler fields will be cut to the top 20 anglers apiece following the conclusion of the opening round Thursday.
Thursday’s conditions
Sunrise: 5:30 am
Air temperature: 70 degrees
Water temperature: 77 degrees
Forecasted wind: from the southwest at 5-10 mph
Relative humidity: 90 percent
Day’s outlook: Thunderstorms likely
Day-two links: