OSAGE BEACH, Mo. – Many times in the EverStart Series, the top one or two anglers after day one have such a weight cushion over the top-10 cut that they have the luxury of taking it easy and practicing on day two.

That is not the case at the EverStart Central Division event on Lake of the Ozarks this week.

The top 10 pros lit out across the water Thursday morning, knowing they have to catch all they can today just to stay in the hunt. Fishing on Lake of the Ozarks is way too good to be letting up, even for a moment.

Within the field, there is a shallow-versus-deep-strategy storm brewing. Yesterday, those going deep ended up on top. Pro leaders George Jeane of Evans, La., and Lloyd Pickett of Bartlett, Tenn., both dragged baits in depths of 10 to 25 feet to catch their fish.

Just behind them are a host of shallow-water sight-fishermen and flippers hoping those bigger fish in the deeper water will move up with the rising water and oncoming moon.

The weather this morning was perfect for both types of anglers. Balmy temperatures and light winds should allow anglers to fish however they please today.

The day-two weigh-in begins at 3 p.m. at Lake of the Ozarks State Park, Public Beach No. 2 (PBII).

Thursday’s conditions

Sunrise: 6:26 a.m.

Water temperature: 64 degrees

Air temperature: 65 degrees

Expected high: 79 degrees

Wind: forecasted from the ESE at 5 to 10 mph

Day’s outlook: warm, balmy, 40-percent chance of storms