Playing catch-up

EverStart Central finalists try to make up lost ground

BENTON, Ky. – The sun was shining on the top-10 pros as they headed out for the final day of EverStart Series Central Division competition on Kentucky Lake Saturday morning. For most, the big question was how in the world they could catch up to current leader Jeremy Ethridge, who, with a two-day catch weighing 51 pounds, 1 ounce, holds a 9-pound, 5-ounce lead over his nearest competitor.

The stories this week have been falling water levels, relatively high winds and rapidly changing fortunes. While half of the pro finalists retained top-10 positions from day one, only Ethridge improved his weight.

The winds will blow again today much like yesterday – the forecast is again calling for winds in the 15 mph range – but according to No. 7 pro Travis Loyd, the fish are still there for the biting. This is still Kentucky/Barkley, after all, a fishery that didn’t come by its bass-filled reputation by accident.

“A lot of the fish are still suspended,” said Loyd, who moonlights as the deputy director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources when he’s not fishing competitively. “They’re not on the banks. With the wind, you’ve got to be careful because you might be sitting right on top of them.”

Over the last seven days, anglers have seen water levels fall 5 to 6 feet and temperatures fall rather drastically. But today, a warming trend is starting to develop, and as always, these things affect the bite.

“I think the weights could be really good today,” Loyd said. “The fishing has not been as good as it was a week ago, but the fish are there. You’ve got to make every fish count. Execution is a big thing in this tournament.”

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 3:30 p.m. at the Walmart store located at 310 W. Fifth St. in Benton.

Bass-fishing fans take note

Want to watch the weigh in live but can’t make it in person? Then tune into FLW Live on FLWOutdoors.com shortly before 2:30 p.m. Central Time to watch live streaming video and audio of today’s opening-round weigh in.

Vital statistics:

Sunrise: 6:38 a.m.

Temperature at takeoff: 42 degrees

Expected high temperature: 68 degrees

Wind: From the west-northwest at 15 mph

Humidity: 73 percent

Day’s outlook: sunny