Chill descends on Pickwick
Final-round Friday begins
FLORENCE, Ala. – As quickly as anglers had to react to the onset of warm weather the first two days, Wal-Mart FLW Tour pros will have to readjust back to cooler conditions as they begin the final two days of action on the Tennessee River.
Air temperatures around 40 degrees greeted competitors and fans at McFarland Park Friday morning, and the day’s high is forecast to top out around 55 degrees. That’s a relatively stark contrast to the mid-70-degree temps the anglers fished in the first two days and, along with the usual fluctuating water levels, could have a decided impact on the fishing.
However, some of the leading pros from the opening round, like Rob Kilby and Tommy Biffle, asserted that cooler weather will have no effect on their fish. They’re more concerned about water levels than anything else.
Still, others who are targeting deeper smallmouths, like Dave Lefebre and Jim Moynagh, welcomed the cold snap.
“It’s just not as good fishing deep when it’s not cold,” Lefebre said. “The fish react really quickly here. It’s not like up north where it takes all week. With the cold front coming, it’ll push David Walker’s fish back out so they swim right back to daddy.”
Whatever the weather’s impact, a five-bass limit from anyone today will be a major accomplishment. The full field of pros weighed in just 29 total limits the first two tough days of fishing. With the fields pared down to just 10 anglers apiece, the odds on seeing anymore big limits out of Pickwick have decreased significantly.
On the other hand, there’s always the sandbagging factor. By making the cut mainly on the strengths of a big sack on day one, some pros, like Kilby, spent most of day two looking for new areas and laying off their honeyholes. If they can tap back into their key areas today, there are some possible 15-pound stringers out there.
Logistics
Weights from days one and two were cleared for the final rounds, and co-angler competition will conclude Friday afternoon. The top 10 pros continue competition Saturday, with the winner determined by the heaviest accumulated weight from days three and four. The winning co-angler will take home a top award of $20,000 cash, while the winning pros are in the hunt for a cash prize of $100,000.
Friday and Saturday’s weigh-ins will be held at the Wal-Mart store located at 3100 Hough Road in Florence beginning at 4 p.m. Central time. For those unable to attend in person, check out all the action at FLWOutdoors.com with FLW Live.
The community is invited to attend the free Family Fun Zone Friday and Saturday outside the weigh-in tent in the Wal-Mart parking lot. The Family Fun Zone, which opens at 2 p.m. Friday and noon Saturday, features interactive displays, product samples and games for the entire family to enjoy.
Friday’s conditions
Sunrise: 6:17 a.m.
Temperature at takeoff: 41 degrees
Expected high temperature: 56 degrees
Water temperature: 47-51 degrees
Wind: N at 11 mph
Maximum humidity: 45 percent
Day’s outlook: sunny