The heat is on

EverStart Central anglers gear up for final day of fishing on Columbus Pool

COLUMBUS, Miss. – With takeoff this morning a balmy 44 degrees, it was as if a heat wave had ripped through the Columbus Pool for day four of the EverStart Series Central Division event.

After enduring brutally cold launches the last three days, the warmer temperature at takeoff was a welcome change. Always closely watching the weather forecast, the top 10 pros and 10 co-anglers were no doubt also thrilled at the prospect of a cloudy day with the chance of rain.

Sound strange? It seems the bass on the Tenn-Tom like it better when it’s nasty outside, as they clammed up yesterday when the sun shone at last in Columbus. Anglers bemoaned the sunny weather and should get what they asked for today with forecasts calling for partly cloudy weather and a chance of thunderstorms.

Matthew Mize of Ben Lomond, Ark., currently leads the Pro Division with 13-10 and holds a 1-pound, 1-ounce lead over Dick Shaffer of Rockford, Ohio. The top of the co-angler leaderboard is a little less tight, as Michael Herron of Paris, Texas, built a solid lead yesterday, thanks to his day-three weight of 7-9. Herron leads Natchitoches, La., angler Steve Graf by 3 pounds, 6 ounces.

However, all fishermen know that the tournament-winning catch is only one cast away, especially if the bass are as tight-lipped today as they were yesterday. There is, after all, a lot on the line – as much as $60,000, including a fully rigged Ranger, going to the winning pro and as much as $35,000, including a Ranger, going to the winning co-angler.

Anglers will weigh in their catches today at 4 p.m. at the Wal-Mart store located at 1913 Highway 45 N. in Columbus.

Saturday’s conditions:

Sunrise: 5:59 a.m.

Temperature at takeoff: 44 degrees

Expected high temperature: 63 degrees

Wind: from the south-southwest at 8 mph

Maximum humidity: 62 percent

Day’s outlook: partly cloudy with chance of thunderstorms