RALEIGH, N.C. – A perfect storm may be brewing today for the 40 anglers fishing Falls Lake. The word from the weather folks: the wind is coming. And according to MLF Bass Pro Tour angler Jacob Powroznik, it’s just what the fishing doctor ordered for potential fish-catching mayhem in today’s Knockout Round.
“The wind is your friend,” Powroznik said. “We haven’t had much so far for two days on Falls Lake, and today, we’ll get 10- to 15-mph winds out of the south/southwest. It’s setting up to be an absolute slugfest.”
Powroznik is no stranger to Falls Lake and the Shearon Harris Reservoir, the site of today’s Knockout and tomorrow’s Championship round for the MLF Bass Pro Tour Stage 3. When the Virginia pro says the wind is your friend on Falls, he speaks from experience.
“I’ve fished Falls 12 to 15 times,” Powroznik said. “I’ve fun fished and fished club tourneys here. I’ll tell you what, the weather is going to be perfect Saturday.”
The reason the wind is the key here, as it is in many places during the spring, is how it impacts baitfish movement.
“When that wind starts blowing, it will move the baitfish,” Powroznik advised. “Fish those windy areas, because the bass are following the bait and feeding. They’re off the crawfish now and primarily eating shad. The wind also helps create a mudline, which is very important for finding fish on Falls. It’s a common pattern deal this time of the year here, and on Lake Gaston and Jordan.”
When Powroznik is on MLF NOW! today, expect to see him throwing moving baits and covering water, following the wind and mudlines on Falls Lake.
“I’ll throw swimbaits, a V&M spinnerbait, and Livingston crankbaits, like the PrimeTyme 2.0 or the Howeller. If I find something that looks real good, I’ll slow down and flip a V&M Cliff Pace Flippin Jig.”
Powroznik predicts that big weights will be needed to move on to the Championship round.
“I think I’ll need 30 pounds to make it to Sunday,” he said. “I’m thinking I’ll get there with 10 3-pounders, but it could be just five fish that weigh 35 pounds. I’ve caught a couple over 8 pounds here over the years, and an awful lot of 4- to 5-pounders. Even if I don’t make the final day, I get paid, but I want to get to fish Shearon Harris. The way things are going, we may be looking at a few fish on beds there. Shearon Harris is a power plant lake and runs a little warmer. It’s lining up to be really great for the rest of the weekend.”