Redfish Western opens on Gulf

Wal-Mart FLW Redfish Series Western Division competition commences

ROCKPORT, Texas – The Redfish Series Western Division opened its 2006 season Thursday morning in the redfish headquarters of the Texas Gulf Coast, Coastal Bend.

This event should produce some good catches. The flats in and around the Intracoastal Waterway host some of the best redfishing on this part of the coast.

However, anglers are concerned about early-season windy conditions, which have stirred up the shallows somewhat. That will make it a little tougher on competitors to see what they’re after, but it won’t deny everyone. There are just too many good fish to be had here.

A total of 116 boats are competing this week for a guaranteed top prize of $25,000, plus potential contingency bonuses from Ranger, Champion, Wellcraft, Hydra-Sports and Yamaha.

The entire field will compete Thursday and Friday. The top five teams, based on cumulative weight, will advance to fish in the final round Saturday. Anglers will be allowed to weigh in a total of two redfish per day. The winning team will be determined by the heaviest three-day cumulative weight total.

Thursday’s weigh-in begins at 3 p.m. Central time at Rockport Beach Park located on Sea Breeze Drive in Rockport.

Thursday’s conditions

Sunrise: 6:36 a.m.

Temperature at takeoff: 74 degrees

Expected high temperature: 80 degrees

Water temperature: 67 degrees

Tides (at Port Aransas, Texas): low 10:13 a.m., high 3:05 p.m.

Wind: SSE at 11 mph

Maximum humidity: 73 percent

Day’s outlook: isolated thunderstorms