In search of a final berth

Stren Series Texas Division anglers jockey for position as they attempt to qualify for today’s top-10 cut on the Red River

NATCHITOCHES, La. – As Stren Series anglers departed the Grand Encore Recreational Complex shortly after 6:30 a.m. amidst a backdrop of cooler temperatures and abundant fog, the field was well aware of one obvious fact – by the end of Friday’s competition, more than 160 anglers will be sent packing.

With a total purse of nearly $275,000 on the line, anglers undoubtedly have plenty of incentive to do whatever it takes to move up the leaderboard during today’s competition. Because by the time the scales close later this afternoon, only the top 10 will remain to fish another day and have a chance to procure the elusive tournament title on the Red River.

In addition to the title, pros will be fishing for a top award of $65,000, assuming contingency guidelines are met, while co-anglers will be angling for a total first-place prize package worth $35,000.

Currently, Robert Kenyon of Cordova, Tenn., leads all pros with a total weight of 25 pounds, 13 ounces. However, the top five pros are all within 2 pounds of one another, which suggests that the contest is still wide open.

Over in the Co-angler Division, Alan Hults of Gautier, Miss., maintains the overall lead with a two-day catch of 19 pounds, 5 ounces. However, his next two closest competitors – David Underwood and Stephen Francis – are both less than 12 ounces off the lead.

In short, with plenty of bass of in the 4- to 6-pound range out there for the taking, it’s still anyone’s game at this point.

Tourney format

During the Red River competition, the full field (91 pros and 91 co-anglers) is scheduled to compete for three straight days – Wednesday through Friday. After day three has concluded, the top 10 pros and top 10 co-anglers – based on their three-day accumulated weight – advance to Saturday’s finals. Ultimately, the angler in each of the two divisions who has amassed the heaviest accumulated weight over all four days of competition will be declared the winner.

In addition, anglers will be vying for valuable points that could earn them a berth in the $1 million Stren Series Championship, slated for Table Rock Lake in Branson, Mo., Nov. 5-8.

Stren Series Texas Division action continues at today’s weigh-in, scheduled to take place at 3 p.m. CDT at the Grand Encore Recreation Complex, located at 234 Rufus Morgan Road in Natchitoches, La.

Can`t make the weigh-in in person? Then watch it on FLW Live on FLWOutdoors.com beginning at 3 p.m. CDT.

Friday’s conditions

Sunrise: 7:03 a.m.

Temperature at takeoff: 56 degrees

Expected high temperature: 89 degrees

Wind: N at 8 mph

Water temperature: 74-78 degrees

Maximum humidity: 55 percent

Day’s outlook: sunny