Chilling at Sam Rayburn
Stren Central anglers face cold conditions, top-20 cut Thursday
JASPER, Texas – An armada of 197 boats took off onto Sam Rayburn Reservoir Thursday morning for a second day of Stren Series Central competition, and the strategies of every single one of those 494 anglers undoubtedly hinges on the same thing – making today’s opening-round cut.
After one day of competition, local Jasper, Texas, pro Chris McCall leads his division with a weight of 22 pounds, 11 ounces of bass. Many anglers reported Wednesday that the cold front, which coincided with the beginning of the tournament, had had a chilling effect on the patterns they adopted while prefishing; McCall, on the other hand, said he benefited from the change in weather, so his chances of remaining at or near the top of the leaderboard seem good.
Only 71 five-bass limits were weighed in by the pros Wednesday, and the co-anglers fared much worse, bringing in only 15. However, some anglers adapted to the colder and windier conditions just fine. Many of those who found success said they simply slowed their fishing way down.
A seeming majority of the bigger weight-getters reported fishing shallow on the south end of Sam Rayburn, though some reported heading north. But some of the leading anglers, including McCall and third-place pro Derek Remitz of Hemphill, Texas, said they caught their fish across a broad spectrum of baits and at varying depths.
Many Stren Series Central competitors said they got knocked around some by the wind Wednesday. As of the 6:30 a.m. takeoff today, it was blowing slightly stronger than at the same time yesterday, and weather reports indicate the field will likely have to battle possibly stronger winds this afternoon.
First cut is the deepest
Even in the face of adverse conditions, today’s mission remains the same for anglers: to pull in enough weight to make the top-20 cut. About 90 percent of the full field will be sent home today, so only the top 20 pros and top 20 co-anglers can advance to Friday’s semifinal round, based on their two-day accumulated weight. And only these anglers will have a shot at the top prize package in their respective divisions: worth as much as $60,000 for pros and up to $35,000 for co-anglers.
Local pro Patrick Cascio of Brookeland, Texas, who currently sits in 24th place with 13 pounds, 4 ounces, said he expects Pro Division anglers will have to register a two-day weight of 28 to 30 pounds to make the top-20 cut and fish Friday. His day-two co-angler partner, 84th-place Curtis Thompson of Flint, Texas, said he predicts about 13 1/2 pounds will be enough for those in the back of the boat.
Those who do make the cut at today’s weigh-in will have their weights cleared for Friday’s semifinal round. Anglers will then compete for 10 spots in each division in the final round. Winners are determined Saturday by the heaviest accumulated weight from days three and four.
Today’s weigh-in will begin at 2:30 p.m. Central time at Umphrey Family Pavilion located at 5438 RR 255 W. outside Jasper. Friday and Saturday’s weigh-ins will be held at the Wal-Mart store located at 800 W. Gibson in Jasper beginning at 4 p.m., but they will open earlier so fans can enjoy activities and product displays. Takeoffs and weigh-ins are free and open to everyone.
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 2:30 p.m. Central today.
Thursday’s conditions
Sunrise: 6:16 a.m.
Temperature at takeoff: 43 degrees
Expected high temperature: 58 degrees
Water temperature at the ramp: 55 degrees
Wind: N at 7 mph
Maximum humidity: 85 percent
Day’s outlook: partly cloudy with slight chance of rain, wind switching to NNW and speeds of up to 10 mph in the afternoon