Storm’s a comin’
To score a top-10 on Kentucky/Barkley this week, anglers must battle strong storms today
BENTON, Ky. – It’s do-or-die time on Kentucky/Barkley, and a few competitors may get as risky as the weather today to try to score a top-10 at this week’s Stren Central. To get there, they may first have to dodge severe weather, as an outbreak is expected today that could bring strong storms this afternoon.
While storms could be a factor all day, luckily for competitors, the truly nasty stuff should hopefully hold off until after today’s weigh-in. By the time it all blows over, 10 anglers will remain standing to fish another day, and two familiar names are looking to be among the 10.
One of them, Sam Lashlee, won this event two years ago but is currently mired back in 52nd because he, quote, “wimped out” yesterday in the wind.
“Yesterday I wimped out, and Curt McGuire caught them, so today I have to go,” Lashlee said.
As for McGuire, the man who has scored two heartbreaking runner-up finishes here without a win leapt from 35th to third yesterday by targeting postspawn fish down south, a pattern it could probably be said almost no one was doing yesterday. The majority of the field is fishing either prespawn fish or spawners, and many spent yesterday hiding from the wind and avoiding long runs.
“I don’t have a choice; I must go south,” McGuire said. “I finished second in two of these. There are three or four spots on the river I have to fish no matter what. I think some of the fish are spawning on the ledges, and I just have to drag a bait through them.”
Making long runs and fishing open water today will be difficult in today’s weather. In addition to the storms, winds could blow up to 20 to 30 mph. As such, Lashlee is planning ahead to ensure he makes it back in time for weigh-in, as he intends today to make a 50-mile run south.
“I must have 20-plus pounds to do anything,” Lashlee said. “I’m planning on two hours for the ride back. I’m due in at 4:20 p.m., and I hope everybody is safe.”
The 198-boat field will weigh in their day-three catches today beginning at 3 p.m. at Moors Marina, located on Moors Road in Gilbertsville, Ky.
Wednesday’s conditions
Sunrise: 5:58 a.m.
Temperature at takeoff: 67 degrees
Expected high temperature: 75 degrees
Wind: S at 20 to 30 mph
Day’s outlook: windy with scattered thunderstorms, possibly severe in the afternoon