Catching Castledine
Top-10 EverStart Series Texas Division pros attempt to make up some serious ground on tourney leader during Saturday’s finals on Toledo Bend
HEMPHILL, Texas – Heading into the final day of EverStart Series Texas Division competition on Toledo Bend Reservoir, the top-10 pros know they have some significant work ahead of them if they are to catch tournament leader Todd Castledine of Nacogdoches, Texas. Boasting nearly a 6 1/2-pound lead after two stellar days of fishing, Castledine is in the driver’s seat today, literally and figuratively, for the prestigious tournament title.
But while it appears that it’s Castledine’s tournament to lose, that doesn’t mean that the top-10 field is going to let the Texas native walk away with the title without a fight. With plenty of monster bass in the 10-pound range still roaming the expansive waters of Toledo Bend Reservoir, there is enough ammunition out there to at least make things interesting.
“I’m going sight-fishing today,” said veteran EverStart Series pro Lendell Martin, Jr., of Nacogdoches, Texas, who currently resides in second place overall. “I’m just going to try to run some new water and try to find some big ones and see what happens.
“This place is an awesome fishery,” Martin continued. “And with the full moon, a lot of new fish are moving up to spawn. I’m actually surprised somebody hasn’t caught a 28- or 30-pound bag yet. There’s definitely the type of fish in this lake for me to win this tournament. But Todd’s a good fisherman, so it’s really going to be tough.”
In addition to the pro title, the top prize is on the line for the Co-angler Division finalists as well. Currently, Rick Parker of Kaufman, Texas, is atop the leaderboard with a two-day catch of 39 pounds, 11 ounces. However, day-one leader Keith Honeycutt of Temple, Texas, is within striking distance in second place with a two-day catch of 36 pounds.
Tourney format
After two days of intense competition, the top-10 pros and top-10 co-anglers earned a berth into Saturday’s final round of competition based on their two-day accumulated weight. The angler from each division that records the heaviest accumulated weight from all three days of competition will be declared champion after today’s weigh-in.
Pros are fishing for a top award of $35,000 plus a 198VX Ranger boat with 200-horsepower outboard if Ranger Cup guidelines are met in today’s competition. During the finals, co-anglers will cast for a top award consisting of a Ranger 177TR with 90-horsepower outboard and $5,000 if Ranger Cup guidelines are met.
The EverStart Series consists of five divisions – Central, Northern, Southeast, Texas and Western. Each division consists of four tournaments and competitors will be vying for valuable points in each division that could earn them the Strike King Angler of the Year title along with $5,000 for the pro and $2,000 for the co-angler. The top 40 pros and co-anglers from each respective division will qualify for the EverStart Series Championship that will be held on Kentucky Lake in Buchanan, Tenn., Oct. 27-30.
EverStart Series action continues at today’s final weigh-in, scheduled to take place at 3 p.m. at the Fin & Feather Resort, located at 245 Fin & Feather Drive in Hemphill, Texas.
Bass-fishing fans take note
Today’s weigh-in is 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. Central Time to watch live streaming video and audio of Friday’s weigh in.
Vital statistics:
Sunrise: 7:21 a.m.
Temperature at takeoff: 61 degrees
Expected high temperature: 83 degrees
Water temperature: 65-70 degrees
Wind: From the south at 9 mph
Humidity: 60 percent
Day’s outlook: Mostly sunny