PORT ARANSAS, Texas – Although many anglers had predicted a bountiful harvest at the start of the Redfish Series tourney at Port Aransas, a combination of higher-than-normal tides and a stiff westerly wind derailed the best laid plans for the majority of the field during Thursday’s opening day of competition.
The difficult conditions were highlighted by the fact that only one team – that of Kevin Shaw and Tadd Vandemark – was able to muster enough weight to crack the 16-pound mark. And only three additional teams had weights 15 pounds or heavier. The result was that the majority of the 96-team field was left scratching their collective heads as to how to regroup and put together a winning pattern good enough to make Friday’s cut.
However, as the anglers departed Port Aransas City Marina shortly after 6:30 a.m. this morning, there were signs that conditions are improving.
“I think it’ll be a lot calmer out there today,” said Redfish Series pro Mason Lincoln, who along with fishing partner and wife Melissa, finished Thursday’s competition in 67th place. “A strong wind came out of the west yesterday, and that’s the kiss of death here. I think that’s what killed a lot of anglers yesterday. The wind is still coming out of the west today, but it’s not nearly as strong. I think you’ll see the weights go up a pound or two because of it.”
Lincoln also noted that the changing water levels should also help the field key on more fish.
“This time of year, you’re not going to see those large schools of 400 and 500 fish,” he said. “But the water levels are dropping – I think they’ve dropped about 2 feet in the last three days. That’s going to force the redfish to concentrate more on certain areas, and they’ll be a lot easier to find.”
The competition
The full field of 96 teams will continue to compete Friday. After today’s weigh-in, the competition will be cut to the top five teams based on the heaviest accumulated two-day weight over the course of Thursday and Friday. The top five teams will earn a berth in Saturday’s finals.
Up to two redfish may be weighed in per team, per day. However, each fish must fall into a 20- to 28-inch slot limit to qualify for weigh-in.
First-place competitors will win upwards of $25,000 cash. However, if a member of the winning team is also the original owner of a Ranger, Champion, Wellcraft or Hydra-Sports boat used during the tournament, the team will receive a $12,500 bonus. Additionally, if a member of the winning team is the original owner of a qualifying Yamaha or Evinrude outboard that is used during the tournament, the team receives a $12,500 bonus from Yamaha for total award of $50,000. For complete Redfish Series contingency information, click here.
In addition, teams will be vying for valuable points toward a berth into the no-entry-fee, $300,000 Wal-Mart FLW Redfish Series Championship in Orange Beach, Ala., Oct. 18-20.
Friday’s weigh-in begins at 3 p.m. Central time at Port Aransas City Marina, located at 301 JC Barr Blvd. in Port Aransas, Texas.
Friday’s conditions
Sunrise: 6:41 a.m.
Temperature at takeoff: 73 degrees
Expected high temperature: 81 degrees
Water temperature: 74-77 degrees
Tides (at Port Aransas, Texas): low 4:16 a.m., high 12:18 p.m.
Wind: NNW at 10 mph
Maximum humidity: 71 percent
Day’s outlook: mostly cloudy with chance of isolated thunderstorms