Rock and roll
Wal-Mart FLW Redfish Series Eastern Division anglers vie for top-five cut during today’s competition on Rockport’s Gulf Coast
ROCKPORT, TEXAS – As the full field departed Saltwater Pavilion at Rockport Beach Park shortly after 7 a.m. Friday morning, anglers were acutely aware that there is no room for error in today’s competition as 91 of 96 teams will be sent packing by the end of day-two weigh-in.
With the top-five cut looming, there are still plenty of opportunities to struggling teams to rebound and make the cut. However, it will not be easy. With three teams already in fantastic shape after boating more than 17 pounds – a staggering total in any redfish event given the 20- to 28-inch slot limit – the rest of the field essentially will be battling for two spots in the finals, assuming the top-three teams don’t stumble.
“The key is to go out there and do what we did yesterday,” said Richard Gidrey, whose team is tied for fifth place with a total catch of 15 pounds, 14 ounces. “I think it looks pretty good for us. We’re planning on making an 80-mile roundtrip run to the upper lagoon (near Corpus Christi). We’re just going to be throwing spoons and hoping to get two fish in the boat.”
Gidrey’s partner, Sam Celum, agreed that the team is in good shape to advance. However, he said it’s imperative not to start looking too far ahead.
“You have to treat day two like a single day tournament,” he said.
Currently, the father-and-son team of Hunter (Mandeville, Texas) and Henry Morgan (Pearland, Texas) has the overall lead with 17 pounds, 4 ounces. But right behind them are two teams tied for second place and well within striking distance of the leaderboard – Team M&Ms members Dwayne Eschete and Blake Pizzolato; and the team of Paul Heffernan and David Green. In addition, last year’s defending Redfish Series Rockport champions Jonathan and Kris Culpepper are in fourth place, 11 ounces off the overall lead in fourth place.
The competition
Per Redfish Series tournament rules, the full field competes during the first two days of competition. At the end of the second day of tournament action, the top five teams – based on total accumulated weight – advance to day three. Final standings are determined by the total weight from all three days.
Up to two redfish may be weighed in per team, per day. However, each fish must fall within the regulated 20- to 28-inch slot limit to be counted.
First-place teams at the Rockport event will win $20,000 cash. However, if a member of the winning team is also the original owner of a Ranger boat used during the tournament, the team will receive a $15,000 bonus. Additionally, if a member of the winning team is the original owner of a qualifying Yamaha or Evinrude outboard that is used during the tournament, the team receives another $15,000 bonus for a total award of $50,000.
However, prize money isn’t the only thing teams are fishing for. The top 50 teams in each division of the FLW Redfish Series, based on the overall standings at the end of the season, will also receive automatic berths into the Wal-Mart FLW Redfish Series Championship Oct. 30-Nov. 1 in Biloxi, Miss. There, anglers will be able to fish for the prestigious title of Redfish Series champion as well as $100,000 in cash.
Tournament specifics:
Friday’s weigh-in begins at 3 p.m. Central time at the Saltwater Pavilion at Rockport Beach Park, located at 810 Sea Breeze Drive in Rockport, Texas.
Friday’s conditions:
Sunrise: 7:02 a.m.
Temperature at takeoff: 81 degrees
Expected high temperature: 88 degrees
Water temperature: 85-90 degrees
Tides (at Sarasota, Fla.): high 7:18 a.m., low 6:01 p.m.,
Wind: Southeast at 13 mph
Maximum humidity: 77 percent
Day’s outlook: Partly cloudy with chance of afternoon thunderstorms