Frigid final day
Weather clears as Yoder aims to protect 7-pound lead
ZAPATA, Texas – Local meteorologists called last night the coldest night on record in south Texas. In nearby Laredo, the mercury dipped down to a frigid 19 degrees. The previous low, which was 22, was set back in 1976. Despite all of this, the top 10 pros and top 10 co-anglers fishing the inaugural American Fishing Series event think the conditions are slowly improving.
The main reason for optimism is the fact that the relentless winds have finally subsided. Today’s forecast calls for just a slight northeast breeze of 5 mph. This means the anglers that are fishing deep will be able to hold their boats precisely on the spot. The prior two days this was an extremely difficult, if not impossible task. Many anglers simply ran out of battery power and had to retreat to one of 
Falcon’s many creeks.
In addition, the sun made an experience at takeoff for the first time this week. This will make the anglers happier, but what will it do to the bass? We’ll found out at today’s weigh-in, which begins at 3:30 p.m. at the Zapata County Boat Ramp. For those interested in sampling the fast growing sport of college fishing, their weigh-in takes place prior to the American Fishing Series weigh-in at 2 p.m.
Logistics
Pros are fishing for a top award of $25,000 plus a 198VX Ranger with 200-hp outboard if Ranger Cup guidelines are met. Co-anglers will cast for a top award of $10,000. If the co-angler meets the Ranger Cup guidelines, they will earn an additional $5,000.
The American Fishing Series consists of four divisions in 2010 – Central, Northern, Southeast and Texas. Each division will consist of three tournaments and competitors will be vying for valuable points that could earn them a trip to the American Fishing Series Invitational on Wheeler Lake in Decatur, Ala., Nov. 4-6. The points champion from each division will qualify for the Forrest Wood Cup and a fifth Forrest Wood Cup qualifier will advance from the Invitational that is open to the top 50 anglers from each division.
The winners in both the Pro and Co-angler Divisions are determined by the heaviest accumulated weight from all three days.
The Falcon Lake American Fishing Series tournament is being hosted by the Zapata County Chamber of Commerce.
On the Web
For those who can’t catch the weigh-in action in person, FLWOutdoors.com offers FLW Live, a free online application that brings fans real-time weigh-in results, streaming video and audio.
Saturday’s conditions
Sunrise: 7:28 a.m.
Temperature at takeoff: 21 degrees
Expected high temperature: 51 degrees
Water temperature: 56-62 degrees and dropping
Wind: NE at 5 mph
Maximum humidity: 31 percent
Day’s outlook: sunny