Desert drama
Wal-Mart FLW Series National Guard Western Division event kicks off on Lake Mead with strong winds looming
HENDERSON, Nev. – As the full field departed Lake Mead Recreational Area shortly after 6:30 a.m., Wednesday morning amidst an impressive backdrop of gorgeous mountains, brilliant sunshine, bright blue skies and intriguing brush-covered landscapes, FLW Series anglers were focusing on the scenery that really mattered – the pockets of Lake Mead that held bass in the rare 3-pound range.
As the second FLW Series event of the 2008 season officially got under way, anglers were quick to acknowledge that while fish are in abundant supply and relatively easy to catch, the key is finding those elusive big bites.
“The fishing is really good. The size is the problem,” said FLW Series angler Jimmy Walker, who also serves as a sergeant in the San Diego Sheriff’s Department. “Everyone is catching lots of fish in the 1-pound range. But the guys who can catch those 3-pounders are the ones who are going to be in good shape.”
With a total purse of $1 million on the line during this week’s FLW Series event -scheduled to run from May 7-10 – anglers will most likely have to average 10 pounds a day or thereabouts to make the cut and have a shot at the prestigious tournament title. While that’s a tall order, the good news is that the fish don’t seem to be too finicky with regard to presentation.
“My guess is that 32 pounds after three days is what it’s going to take to advance (to the finals),” said Walker. “But so far, the bite has been really good on just about everything – the worm bite is good, the jig bite is good and crankbaits are working pretty well. So you can fish a lot of different ways and still be successful.”
However, during today’s competition at least, anglers are also going to have pay attention to a few other pressing issues as well – most notably the wind.
“The big deal today is going to be to try and get back to weigh in in one piece,” said Walker, who plans to run 40 to 50 miles in today’s competition. “Last night they were calling for 40-mph wind gusts today. I think they’ve toned down that forecast just a bit but it’s still going to be pretty windy out there. This place has some of the worst wind of any of the lakes I’ve been on. So you need to be careful.”
Tournament competition
Per FLW Series rules, the entire field will compete in each of the first three days of the event. At the end of Friday’s competition, a co-angler champion will be crowned and the top-10 pros will advance to Saturday’s final day of competition. The pro champion will be determined by the angler who brings in the heaviest accumulated weight from all four days of competition while the co-angler title will be awarded to the amateur who has the heaviest combined weight over the first three days of competition.
Pros are fishing for a top prize of $125,000 while the top co-angler will be awarded a check for $25,000.
In FLW Series competition, pros and co-anglers are randomly paired each day, with pros supplying the boat, controlling boat movement and competing against other pros. Co-anglers fish from the back deck against other co-anglers. The total purse for the Lake Mead tournament is $1 million, including $10,000 through 50th place and $2,000 through 75th place in the Pro Division. Ultimately, all anglers in the tournament will also be competing for valuable points in the hope of qualifying for the BP East-National Guard West Fish-Off and a shot at advancing to the $2 million, 2009 Forrest Wood Cup, where the winning pro will earn as much as $1 million – the sport’s biggest award.
Anglers will take off from Callville Bay-Forever Resorts in Lake Mead National Recreation Area at 6:30 each morning. Wednesday, 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 300 E. Lake Mead Drive in Henderson 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 Kellogg’s trout pond, a Ranger boat simulator and assorted fishing-themed games. All activities are free and open to the public.
FLW Series Western Division action continues at today’s weigh-in, scheduled to take place at 3 p.m. Pacific Time at Callville Bay Resort and Marina, located at the Lake Mead Recreational Area in Las Vegas, Nev.
Can`t make the weigh-in in person, then watch it on FLW Live on FLWOutdoors.com beginning at 3 p.m. Pacific Time.
Vital statistics:
Sunrise: 5:41 a.m.
Temperature at takeoff: 64 degrees
Expected high temperature: 88 degrees
Water temperature: 62-67 degrees
Wind: From the south at 15-25 mph
Maximum humidity: 17 percent
Day’s outlook: Sunny