All-in

Top-five pros put everything on the line during final day of National Guard FLW Series Western Division competition on Lake Mead

LAS VEGAS – After three hard-fought days of intense tournament action, the time has come for FLW Series anglers to figuratively push all of their chips into the center of the table. As the top-five finalists departed Callville Bay Resorts Marina shortly after 7 a.m. Saturday morning, their goals were pretty clear – catch the largest stringer possibly in order to make a run at the Lake Mead tournament title and first-place purse of $56,000.

With strong winds expected early this afternoon, a fickle bass bite and only 4 pounds separating the entire five-member pro field, the tournament title truly remains up for grabs.

Currently Justin Kerr of Simi Valley, Calif., holds the top qualifying spot after boating a three-day catch totaling 39 pounds, 3 ounces. However, Kerr is hardly resting on his laurels.

“On this lake you never know what’s going to happen,” said Kerr, whose best FLW Series finish to date was a fifth-place effort at Lake Havasu in 2009. “There are too many good fishermen (in the finals) and you really have to fish perfectly in order to pull off a victory.”

As such, Kerr said that he’s willing to lay everything on the line during today’s competition.

“I’ve going to an area where you can be a hero or a zero,” said Kerr. “I’m going to try to stay close (to the marina), fish worms and jigs and see if I can get a good limit. Then I’ll try to see if I can upgrade the rest of the day. I’ve been coming here for 10 years so I have a lot of good areas. My goal is to catch five largemouths, but if I catch a smallmouth along the way, it’ll be a bonus.”

On the other end of the spectrum sits Brent Ehrler of Redlands, Calif. Currently in fifth place with a total catch of 35 pounds, 1 ounce, Ehrler has some ground to make up if he’s to catch the frontrunners.

“I’m 4 pounds off the lead and on this lake that’s quite a bit,” said Ehrler. “It’s definitely a long shot for me to win but people can easily stumble here. Right now it’s really calm but the wind is supposed to pick up later in the day and that could cause some problems for some people. I’m just going to go out there, have some fun and see what happens.”

Tourney format

After advancing to the finals, the top-five pros will have a little over seven hours during today’s competition to boat the heaviest five-fish stringer possible. The pro winner ultimately will be determined by the heaviest accumulated weight from all four days of competition.

Pros will be battling for a top award of up to $56,000 as well as valuable standings points in the hope of qualifying for the 2011 Forrest Wood Cup, one of the most prestigious championships in all of bass fishing.

Bass-fishing fans take note

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 4 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.

Vital statistics:

Sunrise: 5:40 a.m.

Temperature at takeoff: 71 degrees

Water temperature: 60-65

Expected high temperature: 90 degrees

Wind: From the south-southwest at 10-20 mph

Maximum humidity: 10 percent

Day’s outlook: Partly sunny with windy conditions increasing during early afternoon hours