A calming influence

Stren Series Central Division anglers rejoice as conditions turn more favorable during second day of tournament action on Mississippi River

FORT MADISON, Iowa – As Stren Series Central Division anglers departed Captain Kirk’s Marina shortly after 6:30 a.m. Friday, there was a palpable sense of relief in the air as anglers hit the open waters of the Mississippi River with their first real taste of bright blue skies, light winds and calm seas. Unlike yesterday – when anglers were battered and bruised by gusting winds in the 20- to 25-mph range, huge white caps and generally soggy conditions – today’s relatively mild conditions seemed to raise competitors’ spirits across the board.

“I’m sure the fishing will be better today,” said pro Mark “Cowboy” Frickman, who hopes to rebound after blanking during Thursday’s competition. “Yesterday was pretty brutal. I’m from Michigan, and (Thursday’s conditions) were worse than I’ve seen on Lake Erie. The waves were so close together that it was difficult to run anywhere. I’ve never been through anything like that in my life. So it’s very reassuring to see the conditions today.”

However, while the weather conditions do indeed look more favorable, anglers will have plenty of other things to worry about during Friday’s competition – primarily, surviving today’s top-10 cut. And because the weather thwarted the strategies of many anglers during the opening day of competition – highlighted by the fact that only four pros in the entire field recorded five-fish limits – a host of competitors will be forced to make up some serious ground today.

Currently, Dick Shaffer of Rockford, Ohio, leads all pro competitors with a total catch of 12 pounds, 4 ounces. Meanwhile, Brian O’Neill of Sandwich, Ill., has the top spot in the Co-angler Division with a catch of 4 pounds, 13 ounces.

Tourney format

During Stren Series competition, pros supply the boats, fish from the front deck against other pros and control boat movement. Co-anglers fish from the back deck and compete against other co-anglers. Anglers are permitted to weigh in their best five bass each day. Every angler who receives weight credit in a tournament earns points that determine angler standings. Two hundred points are awarded to the winner, 199 points for second, 198 points for third, and so on.

The entire field will compete once again today, with the top 10 pros and top 10 co-anglers advancing to Saturday’s final round of competition based on their two-day accumulated weight. Winners are determined by the heaviest accumulated weight from all three days.

Pros will fish for a top award of $65,000 which includes $25,000 cash plus a 198VX Ranger powered by an Evinrude or Yamaha outboard and equipped with a MinnKota trolling motor and Lowrance electronics if Ranger Cup guidelines are met. Co-anglers will be angling for a first-place prize of $35,000, which includes a top award of a 177TR Ranger powered by an Evinrude or Yamaha outboard and trailer and $5,000 in cash if the co-angler meets the Ranger Cup guidelines.

Anglers at the Fort Madison event will be competing for a total purse of $275,000.

In addition, competitors will be vying for valuable points that could earn them a berth into the Stren Series Championship on Pickwick Lake in Florence, Ala., Nov. 5-7 for a shot at $150,000 in the Pro Division and $60,000 in the Co-angler Division.

Stren Series action continues at today’s weigh-in, scheduled to take place at 3 p.m. at Captain Kirk’s Marina located at 902 4th St. in Fort Madison, Iowa.

Bass-fishing fans take note

Want to watch the weigh in live but can’t make it in person? Then tune into FLW Live on FLWOutdoors.com shortly before 3 p.m. Central Time to watch live streaming video and audio of today’s opening-round weigh in.

Ranger Boats to unveil all-new Z521 Comanche

This week bass boat fans can also check out the official unveiling of the new Ranger Z521 Comanche, scheduled to be shown Aug. 21-22 in Fort Madison, Iowa.

Specifically, the boat will be on display 3 p.m. Friday, Aug. 21, at the Stren Series weigh-in at Captain Kirk’s Marina, located at 902 4th Street in Fort Madison, Iowa. The Z521 will also be available for viewing 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 22, during the final Stren Series weigh-in, slated to take place at the Burlington Walmart Supercenter, and located 324 West Agency Road, Burlington, Iowa.

Friday’s conditions

Sunrise: 6:22 a.m.

Temperature at takeoff: 63 degrees

Expected high temperature: 68 degrees

Water temperature: 75-79 degrees

Wind: WSW at 5 mph

Maximum humidity: 86 percent

Day’s outlook: sunny skies with overcast conditions and rain showers developing throughout the afternoon