A welcome weather change
Yesterday's nastiness is today's pleasantry for the final day of the Stren Central on Kentucky/Barkley
BENTON, Ky. – For the final day of the Stren Series Central Division event on Kentucky/Barkley, the top 10 competitors are hoping that yesterday’s suffering will bring today’s glory. Friday brought torrential rains and heavy storms that made for a rough day three, but those conditions brought higher water levels and cooler temperatures today, which some finalists consider a good thing.
Making this tournament even more interesting is the fact that bass in all three stages are available for the catching, though some are easier to catch than others. Some have ascended to the top 10 this week catching prespawners and spawners, and others have locked on to a few postspawn fish, though that is rarer.
“With conditions like this, it’s go big or go home,” said current leader Nate Wellman, who sits atop the leaderboard with 50 pounds, 10 ounces, a weight that he shares with No. 2 Jeff Carman. “The weather is a little cooler, and with the lighter wind I can fish my best four spots today that I found in practice. Those fish haven’t seen a bait in six days.”
Competitors are hoping to once again find bags worth 18 to 20 pounds in their quest to topple Wellman and Carman.
“The water is up a few inches, so I think it’s going to be a good day,” said No. 3 Ramie Colson Jr. “It moves them into the bushes instead of out in front of them. Flipping is my second-favorite way to fish – it’s the way I started fishing. It’s what I’m going to do today.”
With the cold front that moved in, No. 4 Troy Eakins plans to hit Barkley today and concentrate on rocks and steeper banks, with hopes of flipping shallow in the afternoon.
“I’m expecting about the same weights today,” Eakins said. “Eighteen-plus is my goal. I have about a 2-pound deficit.”
Indeed, weights are tight and the stakes are high, and the top 10 pros and co-anglers will weigh in their final catches today beginning at 4 p.m. at the Wal-Mart store located on West 5th St. in Benton.
Saturday’s conditions
Sunrise: 5:57 a.m.
Temperature at takeoff: 55 degrees
Expected high temperature: 66 degrees
Wind: W at 10 to 20 mph
Day’s outlook: sun and clouds mixed