Refreshments arrive
Temperatures cool, showers expected for day two of Wal-Mart FLW Series event on Old Hickory
GALLATIN, Tenn. – After a hot, muggy opening day, Wal-Mart FLW Series anglers began day two under more agreeable conditions. Thunderstorms rolled through the Gallatin area last night, chilling temperatures and surely shifting fishing patterns.
Wednesday’s catch was better than most of the 200 pros and 200 co-anglers anticipated. Despite unseasonably warm weather and a barrage of angler pressure, stemming from the holiday weekend, 88 pros were still able to bring a limit to the scale.
Jason Knapp was one of those 88 pros who coaxed a limit. His weighed 10 pounds, 8 ounces, but Knapp suffered a dead-fish penalty that reduced his official weight to 10 pounds even. After day one, he was right in the thick of things in 41st place.
The Uniontown, Pa., pro targeted thick cover in shallow water. Knapp explained that his pattern, which predicated on shallow-water bass holding tight to shady areas, might need to be tweaked today with less sun in the forecast.
“Overall, guys are generally going to catch them better today,” Knapp said. “But the guys who caught them real well the first day might fall off a bit today. I don’t how this lake will replenish itself.”
Knapp caught his fish on a 5-inch green-pumpkin Quiver Stix, made by the Mizmo Bait Company. Knapp, who fished the plastic bait wacky style, said 10 pounds per day would put him real close to the top 10.
Pro Greg Pugh, on the other hand, found plenty of bass willing to bite; he just couldn’t locate the right size. Pugh estimates he caught roughly 20 bass that were between 13 and 13 3/4 inches. Tournament rules state that any largemouth bass less than 14 inches in length must be immediately released back into Old Hickory Lake.
Pugh ultimately finished the day with only two keepers that weighed 3 pounds, 10 ounces. With showers and generally cloudy weather predicted, the Cullman, Ala., pro plans to throw both buzzbaits and spinnerbait to attract bigger fish.
“This lake can be real tough,” Pugh explained. “If they start pulling water like they’re talking about, it should be improved. They just feed a whole lot better when the water is moving. I’m hoping I’m one of those who flips and not flops today.”
Thursday’s conditions
Sunrise: 5:30 a.m.
Temperature at takeoff: 69 degrees
Expected high temperature: 82 degrees
Water temperature: 76-82 degrees
Wind: SSW at 6 mph
Maximum humidity: 71 percent
Day’s outlook: scattered thunderstorms
The day-two weigh-in will begin at 2:30 p.m. Central time at Bull Creek Marina, located just off Highway 109 on Odoms Bend Road in Gallatin. For those who can’t watch the action in person, FLWOutdoors.com provides FLW Live, a real-time viewing application that is the next best thing to being there.