Weathering the odds

Longer runs mean less fishing time for Redfish Series Championship finalists

BILOXI, Miss. – If Walmart FLW Redfish Series Championship history is any indication, those running the shorter distances on the final day usually prevail as Championship winners.

While long runs to Louisiana and down to Venice usually are the story early in the event, attrition begins to take its toll by day three and teams fall victim to weather, equipment failure, lack of fishing time or some cruel combination of the three.

Currently the redfish teams of John Henninger and John Eggers share the same top weight as Dwayne Eschete and Blake Pizzolato, both with a two-day total of 35 pounds, 11 ounces.

Technically, Henninger-Eggers are in the lead by tie-breaker, but with the final day still left to play out, it might as well be a tie.

The biggest edge Henninger and Eggers now hold over their competition is that they have the shortest ride of the four other teams on the final day.

Since their primary area is just a scant 30 minutes west of Biloxi, chances are Henninger and Eggers will be boating their first fish while the other teams are still riding.

Dwayne Eschete and Blake Pizzolato are running all the way to the South Pass of Venice – some two hours away.

Their fishing success is directly proportional to the wind: the harder it blows, the less fishing time they have and the less fishing time they have, the less time to cull up through a bunch of fish.

That’s the same story for the fourth place team of Robby Weyel and Brian Talley who are also running to Venice.

Charlie Thomason and Britt Ordes, the third place team are going to Louisiana, but stopping short in their homewaters of Hopedale.

And Shawn and Fred Walker are making an hour and 15 minute run to Louisiana.

With weights so close – only three pounds separates first from fifth – and the potential of a 19-pound limit being caught today, the final Redfish Series Championship is going to boil down to a one-day shootout.

For those making the runs, the good news is no bad weather or wind is expected today. The forecast will be almost identical to the last two days: sunny with a NE wind of 5 to 10 mph.

The final day weigh-in of the Walmart FLW Series Championship will take place Saturday afternoon at 4 at the Walmart in D’iberville, Miss., located at 3615 Sangani Blvd.

Saturday’s Conditions

Sunrise: 7:09 a.m.

Temperature at takeoff: 39 degrees

Expected high temperature: 71 degrees

Water temperature: 69 degrees

Wind: ENE 5 to 10 mph

Day’s outlook: sunny