Most pick Pickwick

Small number of boats head upriver, majority remain below Wilson Dam for day two of FLW Series event

FLORENCE, Ala. – The grass isn’t necessarily greener on the west side of the O’Neal Bridge, but its unquestionable abundance is what pulled the majority of boats in that direction at the start of day two of the Wal-Mart FLW Series BP Eastern Division event in Florence, Ala.

Drought conditions have allowed significant grass expansion, and with much of Pickwick sporting this vital habitat, water quality and fishing productivity are on the upswing. Day one found many anglers reporting favorable action in the grass. Even those who’d normally fish elsewhere – day-one leader Mark Rose, for example – couldn’t resist working the lake lawn.

Castrol pro Bobby Curtis of Siloam Springs, Ark., locked through to Wilson Lake on day one, but managed just one 3-pound, 4-ounce bass. Today he’ll try a different strategy.

“Yesterday the fish didn’t school up like I wanted them to, so today I’m going to change up,” he said. “I’m going to stay on Pickwick – I’m going to go out and get on some flats and fish some grass.”

Curtis said his decision was less about the clock and more about what he felt would be the most promising scenario. “I had plenty of time (yesterday), but (the TVA) didn’t move the water like I needed them to, and that kind of hurt things. So, rather than make that gamble again today, I’m going to fish the grass because I know that’s the place to catch up.”

Happily in the minority, Anthony Gagliardi of Prosperity, S.C., locked upriver on day one and fared well. Tied with Cullman, Alabama’s Greg Pugh for eighth place, Gagliardi is thrilled with his 14-pound stringer – the biggest he’s ever weighed on the Tennessee River. Not surprisingly, he’s spending day two in the same area.

“I found fish the way I like to fish them,” Gagliardi said of his top pattern. “This time of year, it’s hard to find deep fish because they start moving up shallow, getting ready to feed for the winter. Because of the warm weather we’ve had recently, I’m fishing deeper than I normally would this time of year, and I actually found a place where there were still some deep fish holding.”

Targeting 16 to 25 feet, Gagliardi will work a Carolina rig, crankbaits and football jigs. “I still like to fish shallow, and some of my better techniques are probably shallow techniques, but if I were to pick one thing that gives me the best shot at winning the tournament, it’s (deep) structure fishing.”

Gagliardi said he’s not concerned with the cooler weather moving through the area. “Because of the depth that they’re at, I don’t think my fish are going to be too affected by this. If anything, it might just be a little later bite.”

Koby Kreiger of Okeechobee, Fla., also expects no weather impacts on his day-two fishing. However, with morning temperatures noticeably lower than a day earlier, Kreiger bundled himself in sweats and rain-suit bibs. “This chilly weather is tough on us Florida boys.”

With a trio of bass weighing 7-6, Kreiger will lock up to Wilson again on day two. His decision is based more on matching his preferred pattern to existing conditions.

“Down in Pickwick Lake, with the way I want to fish, the wind really hurts me,” Kreiger said. “I’m throwing a little topwater plug all day long, and it needs to be calm. Up in Wilson Lake, there’s a lot more pockets where the water’s calm.”

Most of the day-two fish will again come from Pickwick, but a handful of anglers who lock their way upriver are likely to get their fish dialed in and return with good bags.

Logistics

Anglers will take off from the marina at McFarland Park, located on James M. Spain Drive in Florence, at 7 a.m. each day. Thursday and Friday’s weigh-ins will also be held at the marina beginning at 3 p.m.

Saturday’s final weigh-in will be held at the Wal-Mart store located at 3100 Hough Road in Florence beginning at 4 p.m. Children will also be treated to a Family Fun Zone prior to Saturday’s weigh-in from noon to 4 p.m. at Wal-Mart. Activities in the Family Fun Zone include the Fujifilm trout pond, a Ranger boat simulator and assorted fishing-themed games. All activities are free and open to the public.

The entire field competes for the first three days of FLW Series events. Co-angler winners are determined on day three based on the heaviest accumulated three-day weight. The top 10 professionals continue competition on day four, and the winner is determined by the heaviest accumulated weight from all four days.

Thursday’s conditions

Sunrise: 6:53 a.m.

Temperature at takeoff: 48 degrees

Expected high temperature: 69 degrees

Water temperature: 75 degrees

Wind: NW at 8-10 mph

Humidity: 38 percent

Day’s outlook: sunny