ROGERS, Ark. – While a full field of 200 boats took off onto scenic Beaver Lake Wednesday morning to begin the 2004 Wal-Mart Open, many FLW Tour anglers are worried about the prospect of filling their livewells this week. Traditionally a sight-fishing tournament, this year’s Open is starting earlier than it ever has in the Arkansas Ozarks, and that means the bass are few and far between on the beds.

“It’s tough out there,” 22nd-ranked pro Vic Vatalaro of Kent, Ohio, said. “This is my first time here, so I’m trying to figure out where to fish – much less how to catch them.”

Still, with a $1.25 million purse on the line – including $200,000 for the pro winner and $40,000 for the co-angler winner – somebody’s going to figure out the Beaver Lake prespawn bass and have a very profitable week nevertheless.

Wednesday’s weigh-in takes place at 3 p.m. Central time at Prairie Creek Marina in Rogers.

For bass-fishing fans unable to attend the festivities in person, you can catch all the weigh-in action live at FLWOutdoors.com with FLW Live. Show time starts at 3 p.m. Central.

Wednesday’s conditions:

Sunrise: 6:03 a.m.

Temperature at takeoff: 34 degrees

Expected high temperature: 55 degrees

Water temperature: 50 degrees

Wind: from the north at 9 mph

Maximum humidity: 46 percent

Day’s outlook: sunny