LAKE HAVASU CITY, Ariz. – While FLW Outdoors has hosted plenty of events at Lake Havasu in the past, it is pretty clear that this year’s Arizona contest has the makings to be one of the most memorable in history.
As the full field of 111 pros and as many co-anglers departed Lake Havasu State Park marina shortly after 6:30 a.m. amid sunny skies and generally seasonal conditions, National Guard Western Division anglers could hardly contain their enthusiasm heading toward the start of Walmart FLW Series competition.
“I’ve been fishing here for 15 years, and we couldn’t have hit this tournament at a better time, in my opinion,” said FLW Series pro Tim Klinger. “In previous Lake Havasu tournaments, if you caught three or four good fish every day, you’d make the top 10. But this time it’s going to be completely different. We’re going to smash (FLW Outdoors) records here this week big time.”
While predictions are generally a fool’s errand in bass-fishing tournaments, it’s safe to say that this event will be like none other in FLW Outdoors’ history of Lake Havasu competition. Anglers will be able to fish to their strengths, employ a variety of baits and techniques, and land a variety of quality fish as well as some monster stringers – true rarities when it comes to fishing Arizona waters.
“There are sight-fish everywhere. I don’t care what part of the lake you go to, you can still sight-fish. It’s crazy,” said Klinger. “The fish are at all three stages right now – prespawn, spawn and postspawn. There are a lot of 2 1/2- to 3 ¼-pound smallmouth in this lake and a lot of them are on the beds. The largemouth are starting to move up on the beds as well. Because of that, it could take 13 to 15 pounds just to squeak into the top 10. It also wouldn’t surprise me to see a bunch of 18- and 20-pound stringers. Right now, there are a lot of fish out there that will smash local records.”
While plenty of techniques will be employed over the course of the March 25-28 contest, Klinger still believes sight-fishing will be the name of the game for most in the field.
“If the weather cooperates, 70 percent of the bass are going to be caught sight-fishing,” said Klinger. “I’m heading out there today with eight rods, all with different sight-fishing baits on them.”
Not surprisingly, Klinger likes his chances.
“From this ramp I live two and a half hours away, so it’s almost like a second home for me,” he said. “This is my favorite lake. I love this place. I’m really fired up. Without a doubt, this is going to be the best Lake Havasu tournament we’ve ever had.”
Tourney format
The entire field will compete during the first three days of the Lake Havasu event. The co-angler champion will be crowned after Friday’s weigh in based on the heaviest accumulated three-day weight. The top 10 pros will then continue on to Saturday’s final day of competition. The pro winner will be determined by the heaviest accumulated weight from all four days.
Anglers not only will be gunning for the tournament title but also their share of the lucrative $900,000 total purse. Throughout the week, pros will be battling for a top award of $125,000 while co-anglers will be angling for a first-place prize of $25,000.
In addition to the Lake Havasu bounty, all anglers will be competing for valuable points in the hope of qualifying for a shot at advancing to the 2010 Forrest Wood Cup, where the winning pro will earn as much as $1 million – the sport’s biggest award.
Bass-fishing fans take note
During FLW Series competition, anglers will take off from Lake Havasu State Park/Windsor Beach located at 699 London Bridge Road in Lake Havasu City at 6:30 each morning. For the first three days of tourney action, weigh-ins will be held at the marina beginning at 3 p.m. Saturday’s final weigh-in will be held at the Walmart store located at 5695 Highway 95 N. in Lake Havasu City beginning at 4 p.m. Children will also be treated to a Family Fun Zone prior to Saturday’s weigh-in from noon to 4 p.m. at Walmart. Activities in the Family Fun Zone include a trout pond, a Ranger boat simulator and assorted fishing-themed games.
All activities are free and open to the public.
Want to watch the weigh in live but can’t make it in person? Then tune in to FLW Live on FLWOutdoors.com shortly before 3 p.m. Pacific time to watch live streaming video and audio of today’s opening-round weigh-in.
FLW Series action continues at today’s weigh-in, scheduled to take place at 3 p.m. Pacific time at Lake Havasu State Park, located at 699 London Bridge Road in Lake Havasu City, Ariz.
Wednesday’s conditions
Sunrise: 6:34 a.m.
Temperature at takeoff: 47 degrees
Expected high temperature: 83 degrees
Wind: NNW at 10-13 mph
Maximum humidity: 13 percent
Day’s outlook: mostly sunny