Stren Series anglers explore Columbus
Event marks third Central Division stop of 2007, second time series has come to Columbus Pool
COLUMBUS, Miss. – Stop No. 3 on the 2007 Stren Series Central Division schedule marks only the second time the series has held a tournament on the Columbus Pool. This fishery is situated along the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway in the northern third of Mississippi and straddles the Alabama border.
The first time Stren Series anglers explored the pools of this waterway – in spring of 2005 – prespawn patterns and sight-fishing factored into the equation, but that seems highly unlikely this time out, as the June 6-9 tournament falls after the spawn and in decidedly warmer temperatures, which have risen even higher into the lower 90s in recent days. Last time out it was pro Matthew Mize of Ben Lomond, Ark., who unlocked the mysteries of this stump- and grass-filled Southern fishery to collect the win.
The temperature at Wednesday’s 6 a.m. takeoff, kicking off the first day of the four-day tournament, sat comfortably in the mid-60s, but clear, sunny skies are expected to bring temps into the lower 90s. Temperatures are expected to remain relatively constant throughout the duration of the tournament, although anglers will likely be fishing under partly cloudy skies after today. Calm conditions currently prevail here, and wind is not expected to be a major factor in this week’s event.
Pro Alfred Williams of Jackson, Miss., predicted a reluctant bite prior to tournament time, saying June is a difficult time of year to haul in fat sacks of bass here. But a couple local fishermen, Jerry Savage of Columbus, Miss., and co-angler Doug Young of nearby Caledonia, said this morning that they had “done all right” during practice. The bites have come early on topwaters for Savage, who then begins to fish deeper as the day warms.
The two planned to lock through to the south to fish Aliceville Pool in Alabama. Anglers have the choice of staying close to home base in the Columbus Pool or giving up a considerable chunk of their fishing days by locking through to Aliceville or north to Aberdeen Pool.
“It’ll probably be half and half – half north and half south,” Savage said of how he figures the field will split up on day one, adding that anglers remaining near the launch site will likely be in the minority.
Logistics
Pros will fish for a top award of $25,000 plus a $40,000 519VX Ranger powered by an Evinrude or Yamaha outboard and equipped with a Minn Kota trolling motor and Lowrance electronics 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. If the winner is not a Ranger Cup participant, Ranger will award 
$1,500 to the highest-finishing participant in the contingency program. Yamaha will match 50 percent of Ranger Cup earnings if “Powered by Yamaha” guidelines are met.
Co-anglers will cast for a top award of $5,000 plus a $30,000 Ranger boat and trailer if contingency guidelines are met.
Anglers will take off from Columbus Marina located at 295 Marina Drive in Columbus, Miss., at 6 Central time each morning. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday’s weigh-ins will also be held at the marina beginning at 3 p.m. Saturday’s weigh-in will be held at the Wal-Mart store located at 1913 Highway 45 N. in Columbus beginning at 4 p.m. Takeoffs and weigh-ins are free and open to the public.
On the Web
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 3 p.m. Central today.