Detroit: the new Windy City?
Anglers take advantage of calm morning conditions before the wind blows in on day two
TRENTON, Mich. – Though only a few anglers struggled the first day of EverStart Series Northern Division competition on the Detroit River, those that did tended to blame the bass’ state of transition. True, this time of year, the bass should be in transition mode, but because of remaining warm water temperatures, they’re still hanging around. That resulted in yesterday’s slugfest that included 14 stringers weighing more than 20 pounds.
Competitors expect more of the same today, with the only troubling factor being the wind. While some anglers are fishing the Detroit or St. Clair rivers, lots of others are heading to Lake Erie or Lake St. Clair, big-water fisheries where a stiff wind can create trouble in the form of dangerously high swells. The wind at this morning’s takeoff was calm, but that literally seems to be the calm before the storm, as thunderstorms are expected to roll into the Detroit area this afternoon.
“I think it’s going to blow,” said yesterday’s No. 66 co-angler Luke Shocklee. “It may be rough on the way back.”
His pro partner Ben Felton, currently in 92nd, concurred. “If it blows too hard I’m going up north,” he said. “I think the guys going all the way to Erie, it’s going to hurt them.”
Felton went on to say that he expects even bigger weights to be brought to the scales today. Should that occur, it would be quite a feat – 219 competitors brought in more than 2,100 pounds of bass yesterday.
“I think we’re going to see 20-plus pounds like yesterday,” said pro Don Fowler, who ended day one in 57th. “It’s a really strange year, because water temperatures are still in the low 70s. Usually this time of year, they’re about 60 to 65 and the fish are in transition. Now, they’re everywhere.”
Not only will the field of 135 pros and co-anglers be cut to the top 10 in each division following today’s weigh-in, but critical points are on the line as well. With this being the last Northern Division event of the year, today will be the last day for many to accumulate points that count toward angler standings, which in turn determine the 40 anglers from this division that will advance to the EverStart Series Championship. Currently, Chris Cox holds the points lead on the pro side, while Mike Devere leads the Northern Division co-anglers.
Today’s weigh-in begins at 3 p.m. at Elizabeth Park, located at 200 Grosse Ile Parkway in Trenton.
Thursday’s conditions:
Sunrise: 7:21 a.m.
Temperature at takeoff: 65 degrees
Expected high temperature: 82 degrees
Wind: from the southwest at 14 mph
Maximum humidity: 73 percent
Day’s outlook: partly cloudy with scattered strong storms in the afternoon