Nearly perfect again
Slugfest to continue Friday
PORT CLINTON, Ohio – It wasn’t like this in practice. In fact, the conditions were so bad most of the pros only had only a day or two of practice. But that is a distant memory now. With temperatures nearing 80 degrees and just a slight breeze, day three of the Wal-Mart FLW Walleye Tour season opener should be nearly perfect.
On day two, over 3,000 pounds of walleyes were brought to the scale. Despite two days of fishing pressure, that is easily expected to be surpassed today. Lake Erie is known for being fickle weather wise – especially when it comes to wind. When the most important item in the boat is the Coppertone sunscreen, you know it is going to be a good day.
Chris Gilman is currently in second place in the Pro Division with 75 pounds, 3 ounces. Coming into the season, he wasn’t exactly looking forward to this event.
“When you come to Erie at this time of the year you usually have one or two days that are cancelled and that changes everything,” said the Chisago City, Minn., native. “This weather is amazing. Mother Nature has done us good.”
Look for the pro cut weight to hover around 93 to 95 pounds, and the co-angler cut weight to settle in around 87 to 89 pounds.
Tournament notes
The critical day-three weigh-in begins at 3:30 p.m. Eastern time, when the field of 150 boats is trimmed 
to the top 10 pros and the top 10 co-anglers. Friday’s weigh-in will be held at Water Works Park on Perry Street. Saturday’s weigh-in will be held at the Wal-Mart store located at 2826 E. Harbor Road in Port Clinton beginning at 4 p.m.
Pros and co-anglers are randomly paired each day and fish for a combined boat weight. Pros compete against other pros, and co-anglers compete against other co-anglers. The full field competes during the three-day opening round for one of 10 final-round slots based on their three-day accumulated weight. Weights carry over to day four, with the winner determined by the heaviest four-day weight.
Friday’s conditions
Sunrise: 6:47 a.m.
Temperature at takeoff: 54 degrees
Expected high temperature: 77 degrees
Water temperature: 44-50 degrees
Wind: SSW at 13 mph
Maximum humidity: 56 percent
Day’s outlook: mostly sunny and warm