RED WING, Minn. – Although some anglers would you have believe otherwise, the fishing this year on Pools 3, 4 and 5 of the Mississippi River is actually better than last year. Most locals predicted a slower bite and a cut weight of around 12 pounds a day. But with one day left in the opening round, those calculations need some adjusting.
The current top-10 weight in the Pro Division stands at 30 pounds, 14 ounces. That’s an average of more than 15 pounds per day. Although that 15-pound benchmark will likely sag somewhat, it’s unlikely it will drop to the 12 that was originally predicted.
The warm, stable weather has the big fish in the mood to eat. That could change today as cooler temperatures and sporadic showers are back in the forecast. A good portion of the field is sitting with weights in the low 20s, poised to make a run at the top 10.
Perhaps no one is more excited for today than Toledo, Ohio, pro Joe Whitten. The veteran sits in 31st place out of 150 pros with a two-day total of 24 pounds, 10 ounces. He’s in good shape even though he really hasn’t been able to fish his best area.
On day three he plans to make a 25-minute run north into Pool 3. There he will handline current seams with a No. 11 bleeding copper-colored crankbait.
“I’ve only got to fish there a couple of hours due to the barge traffic. Today there are no barges scheduled for the next five hours.
“I feel real good about today. I just have a feeling they’re going to go. There’s no reason for them not to.”
The critical day-three weigh-in begins at 3 p.m. Central time, when the full field of 150 boats is trimmed to the top 10 pros and the top 10 co-anglers. Friday’s weigh-in, which is free and open to the public, takes place at Bay Point Marina in Red Wing, Minn. For those that can’t make the weigh-in in person, check out FLW Live for real-time results on your favorite professional walleye anglers.
Friday’s conditions
Sunrise: 5:57 a.m.
Temperature at takeoff: 57 degrees
Expected high temperature: 64 degrees
Water temperature: 62-66 degrees
Wind: ESE at 18 mph
Maximum humidity: 54 percent
Day’s outlook: showers