FORT PIERCE, Fla. – The final round of Wal-Mart FLW Kingfish Tour competition is rolling on the Atlantic Ocean, and none of the top five teams is feeling comfortable with just the weight it caught in the opening round.
Heading out in the lead was Team Folgers-Offshore Authority, which caught a 57-pound, 13-ounce kingfish on day one and set the mark as heaviest fish caught yet on tour. Behind the leaders are Team Steve’s Seafood with 47-9, the biggest fish on day two, Team Lured Away with 45-4, Team Triple Gobble with 44-11 and Team Bitta Sweet with 43-12.
But even with a 10-pound-plus lead, Capt. David Kingery said he won’t feel safe at this stout fishery until Team Folgers catches a nice 35- to 40-pound keeper Saturday. He pointed out that Team Cat Daddy, the 2005 Fort Pierce champions, came in with a 56-pound fish on Saturday to win.
“Us, too. The first day we were in seventh place, and then we caught another good one and finished fourth. So we all had good fish both days last year (which had a two-day format),” Kingery said. “But to be honest, I’d rather have that 10-pound cushion than not.”
Weather conditions are looking better than what anglers saw to start the week. It’s mostly clear, and highs should approach 90 degrees. The anglers hope that will translate into clearer water up north at the Pines and down south near the Boil where the leaders have been catching their fish.
The final weigh-in Saturday will be held at the Wal-Mart store located at 5100 Okeechobee Road in Fort Pierce beginning at 4:30 p.m. Eastern time.
The winning team is guaranteed a top cash award of $40,000, plus another potential $30,000 in Hydra-Sports or Wellcraft contingency money and $30,000 in Yamaha or Evinrude money.
Saturday’s conditions
Sunrise: 6:26 a.m.
Temperature at takeoff: 74 degrees
Expected high temperature: 88 degrees
Seas: 2-4 feet
Wind: SSW at 13 mph
Maximum humidity: 64 percent
Day’s outlook: isolated thunderstorms