Been there, done that

Day three on Kentucky Lake looks a lot like days one, two

BENTON, Ky. – Day three at the Stren Series Midwest Division tournament on Kentucky Lake should shape up to be more of the same, as the sun will continue to beat down upon deep-fishing anglers Friday. But with the 200-boat field cut to 20, the biggest difference is the amount of company semifinalists will have to deal with on the water.

While Kentucky and Barkley lakes offer an enormous amount of fishing water, it’s the amount of fishable water that is crowding people up this week. The lakes are teeming with bass, but the fish are currently grouped up into a relatively small number of areas that has made the competition fierce this week.

“I think there will be less company for sure,” said No. 19 pro Billy Schroeder of Paducah, Ky. “They’re supposed to pull a little more water today, so the bite should be better.”

Like yesterday, competitors will eagerly await that current, as the moving water tends to spur the lazy ledge fish to bite.

“The fish will still be deep,” Schroeder said. “It’s not going to change a whole lot.”

Following today’s weigh-in, the 20-boat field will be cut to 10 for tomorrow’s final day, and Schroeder expects it will take 17 to 18 pounds to make that top-10 cut.

The weigh-in begins today at 4 p.m. Central at the Wal-Mart store located at 310 W. 5th St. in Benton. For those who cannot attend the weigh-in, FLWOutdoors.com provides FLW Live, a real-time online application that is the next best thing to being there in person.

Friday’s conditions

Sunrise: 5:33 a.m.

Temperature at takeoff: 62 degrees

Expected high temperature: 89 degrees

Wind: W at 7 mph

Maximum humidity: 55 percent

Day’s outlook: a mix of clouds and sun