Big money time is only one day away for 10 of the top 20 pro and co-anglers who headed out this morning from Downs Marina onto Lake Sharp for the second Wal-Mart RCL Walleye Circuit tournament of the 2002 season. Most anglers are planning on going for broke and a few bigger walleye to make the final round on Saturday.
“Yesterday I fished a little conservative, knowing I basically needed to come in with 6 fish to make it to today,” said Lund pro Perry Good of Eagan, Minn. “Today I will have to be less conservative to have a chance to qualify for the final.”
Lund pro Bobby Crow from Patterson, Wash. plans on going for larger fish today.
“I am very happy to have qualified for the semifinal round,” said Crow. “I feel that I will have to catch bigger fish today. Hopefully I can hook bigger fish early this morning and not have to worry about filling my limit late in the day.”
Rookie Crestliner boats pro Gerry Mahowald of Faribault, Minn. feels confident going into today’s semifinal round.
“I am very happy to be here today,” said Mahowald. “I am confident that the areas I have fished will still produce the same quality of fish that got me here. I just have to execute properly and I will have a good chance of making it to the final round.”
Look for most anglers to be pitching jig and minnow combos toward the shoreline cover such as wood, rocks and mudlines. Trolling plugs is also an option, some bigger fish have been caught pulling shad-style crankbaits.
Following today’s 4 p.m. weigh-in at the Pierre Wal-Mart at 1600 North Harrison Avenue the field will be cut to the top 10 pros and top 10 co-anglers. The anglers will start the final round from zero.
Pro anglers are battling for a shot at the first place prize worth $50,000 cash and a fully rigged Ranger, Crestliner or Lund boat outfitted with a Yamaha or Evinrude outboard. The first place co-angler will receive $15,000 cash.
Today’s stats
Sunrise: 6:24 a.m.
Temperature at takeoff: 43
Expected high temperature: 77
Water temperature: Upper lake lower-to-mid 40’s. Lower lake upper 40’s to low 50’s.
Water clarity: Stained in the upper lake, clearing in the lower portion of the lake.
Wind: SE 15 mph
Relative humidity: 71%
Day’s outlook: Sunny with highs in the upper 70’s. Winds SSW from 10-15 mph.