Day-three fishing spree
FLW Tour pros set out to get ahead in Beaver Lake finals; co-angler to be crowned at Friday weigh-in
ROGERS, Ark. – The pressure onboard a top-10 boat as it enters the final round of the Wal-Mart Open must be palpable. Taking off at 8 a.m. on Friday, the FLW Tour pros are trying to get a leg up on the $200,000 first prize, which will be awarded at Saturday’s weigh-in finale. Co-anglers, on the other hand, may feel even more heat today as they realize that their ultimate fate – and consequent prize check – will be determined by what they bring to the scale tonight.
One relief undoubtedly shared by all of today’s skilled finalists, however, is that they’ve made the top 10 at one of the Wal-Mart FLW Tour’s premier events – one that pays better than the average tournament as well. The pro winner earns $200,000 while the runner-up pockets an enviable $100,000, and the 10th-place pro will take home a cool $20,000. The top co-angler will be awarded a check tonight for $40,000, and 10th place will net someone $3,000. The overall prize purse at an FLW Tour “Open” event is almost staggering: $1.25 million.
Currently leading the race to first place on the pro side is Craig Powers of Rockwood, Tenn., who used an opening-round total of 27 pounds, 9 ounces to vault into the finals. On the co-angler side, and fishing out of the back of Powers’ boat today, is Arkansas’ own Keith Pace. The Monticello resident brought in 17-6 over the first two days of competition to earn the right to fish the final day for co-anglers.
The final 10 pros competing today in the Wal-Mart Open on Beaver Lake will combine the day’s weight with their final catches tomorrow to determine the winner of the prestigious event. In the Co-angler Division, however, competition concludes at Friday’s weigh-in when an amateur winner will be determined. The final 10 pros and 10 co-anglers competing began Friday with zero weights, having qualified for the finals based on accumulated weight over Wednesday and Thursday’s opening round.
Friday’s weigh-in begins at 5 p.m. Central time at the Wal-Mart store located at 2110 W. Walnut in Rogers. The public is invited to attend a free concert by country superstar Blake Shelton that is scheduled to take place immediately after tonight’s weigh-in outside Wal-Mart. The Family Fun Zone – featuring interactive displays, product samples and games for the entire family to enjoy – is also free and open to the public. The Zone will begin operating at 3 p.m. today outside the weigh-in tent at Wal-Mart.
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 5 p.m. Central.
Friday’s conditions:
Sunrise: 6 a.m.
Temperature at takeoff: 47 degrees
Expected high temperature: 67 degrees
Water temperature: 58 degrees
Wind: from the east-southeast at 8 mph
Humidity: 58 percent
Day’s outlook: sunny