CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The bass are getting ready to move up to the shallows to spawn. The cloud cover and rain have moved out and been replaced by sunshine and clear skies. And anglers are desperately trying to move up in the standings. In short, the third day of FLW Tour competition on Lake Norman is a fluid situation to say the least.
As the full field departed Blythe Landing shortly after 7:15 a.m. Friday, there were obviously many competing storylines. For starters, today represents the last day of co-angler competition – meaning that a winner will be crowned shortly after the day’s weigh-in has concluded. For the pros, a top-five cut is looming – meaning that in relatively short order, more than 145 pro anglers will be sent packing.
Throw in the constantly changing weather conditions, the anglers’ continued struggle to attract the elusive big-bass bite and a tightly packed leaderboard, and you have all the makings of a piscatorial photo finish.
Veteran FLW Tour pro and Chevy team angler Jay Yelas attempted to paint the overall picture of what anglers will be facing in today’s competition: “Today is going to fish differently than yesterday and probably a lot more like the first day because it will be sunny. The fish aren’t up on the beds yet, but they’re shallow. Most of the fish are up on the banks and docks right now, waiting to move up to spawn. In the morning, there are still lots of ways to catch them. But in the afternoon, after it warms up a little, I’m going to get my flipping stick out and start fishing the shade areas around the docks.
“There are no big secrets here,” Yelas continued. “Everybody’s kind of doing the same thing – going down the banks and fishing docks. But the key is getting that big bite. If you get two good ones a day, you’re in good shape. But if not …”
While most anglers have struggled to get two big bites each day, a few anglers have excelled on Lake Norman. Currently, Bryan Thrift of Shelby, N.C., boasts the overall lead with a two-day catch of 29 pounds, 10 ounces – just shy of a remarkable 15-pound daily average. In the Co-angler Division, Mitchell Cook of Drexel, N.C., has maintained the overall lead for two consecutive days, recording a two-day catch of 19 pounds, 4 ounces.
Finally, there is the remarkable story of pro Greg Pugh of Cullman, Ala. Currently standing in fifth place, Pugh has logged a top-10 FLW Tour finish on Lake Norman over each of the past three years (finishing in eighth place in ’07 and fourth place in ’08 and ’09). With a top-10 finish in today’s competition, he will have recorded an astonishing four consecutive top-10 finishes on one body of water, fishing against some of the nation’s best bass pros – an incredible feat by any measure.
“We’re really where we want to be right now,” said Pugh. “It would be very exciting for me to finish in the top 10 for the fourth year in a row.”
Tourney format, event logistics
The entire FLW Tour field will hit the water for the third consecutive day during today’s competition with the top-five pros advancing to the fourth and final day of competition based on their overall accumulated weight. At the end of today’s weigh-in, a co-angler champion will be crowned. After the conclusion of Saturday’s weigh-in, the tournament title will be awarded to the pro who has recorded the most combined weight over all four days of FLW Tour competition.
Each morning, anglers will take off from Blythe Landing, located at 15901 N.C. Highway 71 in Cornelius, N.C. Friday’s weigh-in will also be held at Blythe Landing beginning at 3 p.m. Saturday’s final weigh-in will be held at the Cabarrus Arena and Events Center, located at 4751 Highway 49 North in Concord, N.C., beginning at 4 p.m.
Fans will be treated to a Family Fun Zone & Outdoor Expo at Cabarrus Arena and Events Center on Friday from 5 to 9 p.m. and Saturday prior to the final weigh-in from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be a drawing for a Can-Am ATV, compliments of 99.7 the Fox, and rod-and-reel combos will be given to the first 300 kids under 14 in attendance on Saturday. The Family Fun Zone & Outdoor Expo includes Ranger boat simulators, the opportunity to interact with professional anglers, interactive games, activities and giveaways provided by sponsors. It also provides visitors with the opportunity to learn more about the sport of fishing and other outdoor activities. All activities are free and open to the public. For a full schedule of events, additional information and to register for the ATV, visit FLWOutdoors.com/NationalGuardOpen.
In addition to a tournament title, FLW Tour anglers also will be vying for valuable standings’ points in hopes of qualifying for the 2010 Forrest Wood Cup, the world championship of bass fishing. This year’s Cup will be in Atlanta Aug. 5-8 on Lake Lanier.
Coverage of the Lake Norman tournament will be broadcast in high definition (HD) on VERSUS May 2 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. ET. “FLW Outdoors,” hosted by Jason Harper, is broadcast to approximately 500 million households worldwide.
FLW Tour action continues at today’s weigh-in, scheduled to take place at 3 p.m. at Blythe Landing, located at 15901 N.C. Highway 71 in Cornelius, N.C.
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. Eastern time to watch live streaming video and audio of today’s opening-round weigh in.
Friday’s conditions
Sunrise: 7:19 a.m.
Temperature at takeoff: 55 degrees
Expected high temperature: 63 degrees
Water temperature: 55-63 degrees
Wind: NW at 16 mph
Maximum humidity: 59 percent
Day’s outlook: mostly cloudy