Partly cloudy skies and cool temperatures greeted the finalists this morning as they launched from Downs Marina onto Lake Sharpe for the last day of the Wal-Mart RCL Walleye Circuit tournament. Angler’s weighing in a total of 12 pounds or more will have a legitimate chance to take home the winning prize of $50,000 cash and a fully rigged Ranger, Crestliner or Lund boat fitted with a Yamaha or Evinrude outboard for the pro angler and $15,000 cash for the co-angler champion.
When it comes to being consistent, Ranger pro Mark Presta of Racine, Wis. was the model angler over the first three days weighing stringers totaling 11-13, 11-13 and 11-14.
“I have had real consistent days out on Sharpe,” said Presta. “I have not caught more than 12 pounds yet, but I think I will have to weigh-in at least 12 pounds to have a chance to win this tournament. Yesterday I nickel and dimed the fish until I had my limit. Hopefully today, I can catch a good limit early.”
Ranger pro Charles Johnson from Merrifield, Minn. agrees about weighing in at least 12 pounds.
“I weighed in just over 12 pounds yesterday,” said Johnson. “I was really sweating it out. I think if I weigh somewhere around 13 pounds, I can win.”
Johnson’s primary approach has been jigging near wood and rocks throughout the lake.
Crestliner pro Gerry Mahowald of Faribault, Minn. is confident he can win today.
“I am nervous, but very confident,” said Mahowald. “Yesterday I went through a lot of fish and only had five in the boat towards the end of the day. I started to panic, but I finally got a small sauger in the boat and it was enough to get me here. Today I am going for broke and am going to try everything to win this tournament.”
Today’s weigh-in will be at 4:00 p.m. at the Pierre Wal-Mart located at 1600 North Harrison Ave. There is plenty of bleacher seating available along with food and drink concessions.
Today’s stats
Sunrise: 6:22 a.m.
Temperature at takeoff: 36
Expected high temperature: 65
Water temperature: Upper lake mid 40’s. Lower lake upper 40’s to low 50’s.
Water clarity: Stained in the upper lake, slightly clear in the lower portion of the lake.
Wind: NW 14 mph.
Relative humidity: 86%
Day’s outlook: Partly cloudy early with mostly sunny skies in the afternoon. Winds SSW 5-10 mph.