TRENTON, Mich. – Unstable weather once again greeted FLW Walleye Tour pros preparing themselves for the second day of competition at the first qualifying event of the 2007 season. And although today appears much the same as yesterday, the winds have calmed and Lake Erie is back in play, meaning everything will likely change.
The general consensus among the field is that nothing major happened yesterday – from a strategic standpoin anyway – with the exception of Scott Banks’ 31-pound bag. While most anglers did in fact catch a limit, most realized that it made little difference whether their own limit weighed 10 pounds or 16 pounds in the overall scheme of things due to the fact that the temporary fishing restrictions on Lake Erie – implemented as a result of dangerous weather conditions on day one – have now been lifted. When a fishery like Lake Erie is consistently capable of producing 30- and even 40-pound bags, anything is possible in a four-day cumulative weight tournament.
And to be sure, with Erie now back in play, leads can change in a hurry.
BP pro Jason Przekurat is one angler antsy to get out to the big lake. For him, yesterday was all about catching a few jig fish to stay in contention. Today is the day the tournament starts for real.
“There’s some fish there, that’s for sure,” said the Stevens Point, Wis., native. “You’re going to see some serious weights today.”
Asked if a weight of 30 pounds was realistic, Przekurat replied, “Oh yeah.”
With many boats following Przekurat’s path to Lake Erie, there will be less angling pressure on the river, which should only further improve the bite.
And it’s a good thing the fish are biting, because the weather is just about as bad as it can get. Although takeoff was mainly dry and a little bit warmer, another round of rain and snow is on its way. Long-term forecasts do show that today is likely the last miserable day, as the front finally passes through later this afternoon.
Anglers will weigh in their catches today beginning at 3 p.m. Eastern time, when the field begins returning to Elizabeth Park Marina, located at 202 Grosse Isle Parkway in Trenton, Mich.
Thursday’s conditions
Sunrise: 6:57 a.m.
Temperature at takeoff: 42 degrees
Expected high temperature: 45 degrees
Water temperature: 35-40 degrees
Wind: SW at 17 mph
Maximum humidity: 85 percent
Day’s outlook: showers