Everybody chases Dean
Final day of season-opening event gets off to chilly start
TRENTON, Mich. – Like sprinters in a 100-meter dash, the nine Wal-Mart FLW Walleye Tour pros chasing leader Dean Arnoldussen are pushing for a strong finish. The current leaderboard is a tight one, with only five pounds separating fourth-place pro Paul Fallaw from Arnoldussen. While five pounds may sound like a lot, in reality it means next to nothing with 10, 11, and even 12-pound fish being caught with regularity.
Truthfully, any of the top-10 pros still have a chance at clearing the $100,000 first-place check. Ross Grothe began day three in 31st place, but when the day ended the Yamaha pro found himself in third courtesy of a 39-pound, 7-ounce limit, the heaviest of the tournament thus far.
Yesterday’s rain has thankfully passed and in its wake are blue-bird skies and bone-chilling temperatures. The expected high temperature in the Trenton area is only supposed to reach 47 degrees. With the river’s big-fish capability and a huge payday on the line, many of the remaining pros have vowed to swing for the fence.
Second place pro Pat Byle of Colgate, Wis., put it this way, “When you get this close you’ve got to go for it. You just don’t get that many chances.”
Despite the fact that 140 boats have been eliminated from the event, crowding will still be a factor on day four. Today marks day one of a weekend tournament for the Michigan Walleye Tour, which is expected to draw up to 150 boats. Add to that the usual weekend boat traffic, and the finalists don’t see any relief in sight.
Arnoldussen’s plan is to get to his primary spot right away. Seeing as today is the final of competition, Arnoldussen revealed his presentation in detail.
“We’re using a 3/8 ounce jig with a chartreuse body tipped with a minnow. We’re fishing anywhere from 14 to 30 feet of water. You’ve just got to find the breakline and stay on them.”
Arnoldussen continued, “I’m afraid of getting hammered by the MWT. With these fish, they’re just moving through. You’ve got to stay there because they’ll eventually turn on.”
The final weigh-in will take place today at 4 p.m. Eastern time at the Wal-Mart store located at 23800 Allen Road in Woodhaven, Mich. The winner in both the Pro Division and Co-angler Division is determined by the heaviest four-day weight.
Saturday’s conditions:
Sunrise: 7:04 a.m.
Temperature at takeoff: 31 degrees
Expected high temperature: 47 degrees
Water temperature: 43-51 degrees
Wind: NNE at 12 mph
Maximum humidity: 57 percent
Day’s outlook: mostly sunny