Angling for the cut

Day two under way at Havasu Series Western

LAKE HAVASU CITY, Ariz. – The weather’s taken a turn for the better, but Wal-Mart FLW Series Western Division anglers still have their work cut out for them under the winter fishing conditions at Lake Havasu.

Wednesday, opening day of the nascent National Guard sponsored Western Division, was by all accounts a tough day of fishing. It rained in the morning, and the bass bite was extremely slow throughout the day. Thursday doesn’t bode much better in terms of the bite, but at least the sun came out early in the morning.

“The bite’s so tough, it’s like the Dead Sea, man,” said pro John Billheimer Jr., who was seen returning the same fishing area in the city canal beneath London Bridge where he won last year’s Stren Western tournament here. “Yesterday, they wouldn’t even bite on a crankbait.”

Don’t expect catch rates to improve much today. A good chunk of the leading fish caught yesterday bit in the morning when the skies were overcast. With the desert sun slated to blaze over Lake Havasu for most of the day today, it could lock down the fish even more.

However, that could also be a boon to some of the leaders, like Mike Goodwin. Yesterday, a lot of pros with “Lake Havasu City” next to their names floated to the top of the leaderboard. Goodwin, Shaun Bailey, Steve Tosh, Michael Rooke and Tim Wilsterman are all in the top 20, which seems to indicate that local knowledge of the bass’ winter hideouts could really pay off this week.

FLW Series Western action continues at Thursday’s weigh-in, scheduled to take place at 3 p.m. at Lake Havasu State Park, located at 699 London Bridge Road in Lake Havasu City.

Thursday’s conditions

Sunrise: 7:35 a.m.

Temperature at takeoff: 49 degrees

Expected high temperature: 64 degrees

Water temperature: 50-55 degrees

Wind: W at 11 mph

Maximum humidity: 32 percent

Day’s outlook: sunny