Mississippi burning
Stren Midwest competition kicks off under steamy Wisconsin skies
ONALASKA, Wis. – You would think that, by heading north at this time of year, the Stren Series might be able to escape some of the summer heat. That won’t be the case this week as Midwest Division anglers kicked off their second tour stop of the season on the Mississippi River at the Minnesota-Wisconsin border with the threat of record-setting high temperatures looming over the next four days.
It hasn’t really rained much in this part of the country in recent weeks, and temperatures have climbed steadily. Forecasters are calling for highs in the mid-90s in southern Minnesota and Wisconsin with a real chance of breaking the 100-degree barrier, which is hot for these parts no matter what the season. There is little chance of precipitation until next week.
Still, the fishing shouldn’t suffer too much. This part of the Mississippi is plumb full of bass, both largemouth and smallmouth. The anglers will mostly stick to the river pools to the immediate north and south of the La Crosse-Onalaska area, and there will be plenty of five-bass limits to be had. Don’t expect one pattern to prevail. The fish are schooling and can be caught every which way from topwaters to jigs to frogs to plastics and everything in between.
The leaders will be those who can manage the heat and stay on top of their game by catching a sack in the 15- to 17-pound range.
Logistics
Two hundred pros and 200 co-anglers will compete for two days to determine the top 20 pros and top 20 co-anglers who advance to the final round based on their two-day accumulated weight. Weights are cleared for the final round, and anglers compete for two more days to determine the winner. Winners are determined by the heaviest accumulated weight from days three and four.
Anglers competing in the tournament will fish for a top pro award worth as much as $64,500, including a 519VX Ranger powered by an Evinrude or Yamaha outboard and equipped with a Minn Kota trolling motor, Lowrance electronics and EverStart batteries plus $10,000 cash. Pros will have the chance to earn an additional $10,000 bonus from Ranger if contingency guidelines are met. Ranger will award another $3,000 to the winner if he or she is a participant in the Ranger Cup program, or $1,500 to the highest-finishing Ranger Cup participant. Yamaha will match 50 percent of Ranger Cup earnings if the participant meets “Powered by Yamaha” guidelines.
Co-angler competitors will cast for a top award worth as much as $35,000, including a 519VX Ranger boat and trailer if contingency guidelines are met.
Anglers take off from Clinton Street Landing West at 6 each morning. Wednesday and Thursday’s weigh-ins will also be held at the landing, which is located at the Clinton Street Bridge in La Crosse, Wis., beginning at 2:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday’s weigh-ins will be held at the Wal-Mart store located at 3107 Marketplace in Onalaska beginning at 4 p.m. Takeoffs and weigh-ins are free and open to the public.
On the Web
For fishing fans who cannot attend the Stren Midwest taking place this week in Wisconsin, FLWOutdoors.com offers FLW Live, a real-time window to the daily weigh-ins. Just access the online application during weigh-in hours to keep tabs on your favorite anglers.
Wednesday’s conditions:
Sunrise: 5:34 a.m.
Temperature at takeoff: 72 degrees
Expected high temperature: 91 degrees
Water temperature: 77-83 degrees
Wind: NE at 7 mph
Maximum humidity: 58 percent
Day’s outlook: sunny