Deciphering the Lake Mead puzzle
National Guard FLW Series Western Division pros scramble to qualify for Friday’s top-five cut, co-angler champion to be crowned later today
LAS VEGAS – Heading into the third day of FLW Series competition on Lake Mead, plenty of anglers are still trying to figure out what exactly it takes to have success on this desert lake. As the full field departed Callville Bay Resort and Marina shortly after 7 a.m. Friday morning, anglers are desperately searching for the winning formula in an attempt to move up the leaderboard and qualify for today’s all-important top-five cut.
However, it won’t be easy. After two consecutive wind-swept days on the water, the bite has varied so much that many pros still aren’t quite sure what strategies to employ. Should they target smallmouth bass in the morning hours and search for largemouth bass later in the afternoon? Should they stick to one species and take their chances. Should they concentrate on sight-fishing techniques? With water levels continuing to fall, should they move off the banks and target fish in slightly deeper water? Should they target pre-spawn, spawning or post-spawn fish? And what will the wind – possibly the biggest variable on Lake Mead this entire event – do today?
While the pros have plenty at stake, Friday’s action is even more crucial for co-anglers as their champion will be crowned shortly after today’s weigh-in.
In short, today’s competition is going to go a long way toward dictating who will be hoisting the champion’s trophy and who will be packing up and heading home.
The conundrum that is Lake Mead
While most anglers struggled on the second day of competition, pro Chris Zaldain of San Jose, Calif., appears to be one of the select few contenders who have figured things out. Currently fifth place overall in the standings, Zaldain was one of only a handful of anglers who boated significantly more weight Thursday than the previous day.
“A lot has changed over the past couple of days,” said Zaldain. “During practice, the fish were actually spawning on the flats and sandy cuts. But now with all of the fishing pressure, wind and cooler weather, the fish are moving out a little bit deeper – pulling out into 10 to 12 feet of water. They’re also moving into the post-spawn phase. And with the water levels steadily dropping – we’ve lost a foot of water alone since practice – that’s pulling the fish out into deeper water as well.
“The fishing pressure is huge on this lake,” Zaldain continued. “And the spots really don’t replenish like they do on the California Delta. And you have to know that. A lot of the guys who did well on the first day went back to those same spots and only came back with 8 pounds. On Lake Mead, you really have to move around and fish a different basin every day. A classic mistake people make on Lake Mead is to keep going back to the same areas over and over again.”
Somewhat surprisingly, Zaldain argued that bait choices aren’t nearly as important as being constantly on the go and managing your fish properly.
“Your bait choices aren’t as important here,” said Zaldain. “They just need to look natural – nothing really funky. For me, what’s more important is that you need to keep moving. Stay mobile. And manage your fish.”
According to Zaldain, fish management will ultimately determine the winner of this event.
“The first day I stayed off all of my good stuff,” said Zaldain. “Yesterday, I went back to my primary area and caught the biggest bag of the day. That’s why fish management on this lake is as important as anything. The person who is going to win this tournament is going to manage their fish better than everyone else.”
Tourney format
The entire field will compete one final time during today’s competition. After Friday’s weigh-in, a co-angler champion will be crowned based on the heaviest accumulated three-day weight. The top five pros will then continue on to Saturday’s final day of competition. The pro winner will be determined by the heaviest accumulated weight from all four days.
Pros will be battling for a top award of up to $56,000. The winning co-angler will receive a Ranger 177TR with a 90 horsepower Evinrude or Yamaha outboard.
In addition to the Lake Mead bounty, all anglers will be competing for valuable points in the hope of qualifying for a shot at advancing to the 2011 Forrest Wood Cup, one of the most prestigious championships in all of bass fishing.
Bass-fishing fans take note
During FLW Series competition, anglers will take off from Callville Bay-Forever Resorts Marina located at the Lake Mead Recreational Area in Las Vegas, Nev., each morning at 7 a.m. For the first three days of tourney action, weigh-ins will be held at the marina beginning at 3 p.m. Saturday’s final weigh-in will be held at the Henderson Civic Center & Water Street District located at 200 S. Water Street in Henderson, Nev., beginning at 4 p.m.
Fans will be treated to a Family Fun Zone at the Civic Center prior to Saturday’s weigh-in from noon to 4 p.m. There will be a drawing for a $300 gift card, and drawings for rod and reel combos will be held every 30 minutes during the event. Activities in the Family Fun Zone include a Ranger boat simulator and assorted fishing-themed games. All activities are free and open to the public.
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. Pacific Time to watch live streaming video and audio of today’s opening-round weigh in.
Coverage of the Lake Mead tournament will also be broadcast in high-definition (HD) on VERSUS. “FLW Outdoors” will air June 13 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. ET. “FLW Outdoors,” hosted by Jason Harper, is broadcast to approximately 500 million households worldwide.
FLW Series action continues at today’s weigh-in, scheduled to take place at 3 p.m. Pacific Time at Callville Bay-Forever Resorts Marina, located at the Lake Mead Recreational Area in Las Vegas, Nev.
Vital statistics:
Sunrise: 5:41 a.m.
Temperature at takeoff: 63 degrees
Water temperature: 60-65
Expected high temperature: 84 degrees
Wind: From the east-northeast at 10 mph
Maximum humidity: 10 percent
Day’s outlook: Mostly sunny