APPLING, Ga. – A dominant theme at the day-one weigh-in of the Walmart FLW Series BP Eastern at Clarks Hill yesterday was the mention of lingering morning clouds and an afternoon breeze delivering first aid to a stingy September bite.
So when dark clouds and drizzle greeted the dawn at the day-two takeoff Thursday morning, many pros were elated.
The practice round at Clarks Hill featured bright sun, still water and many biteless hours of fishing. Consequently, pros were somewhat surprised by the better-than-expected catches yesterday.
Most pros in the top 10 agreed that cloud cover, rain and wind went a long way in turning Clarks Hill from an ultratough bite to a tolerable bite on day one.
Some of the top 10 pros are fishing shallow grass, and the rain cools the surface, the clouds diffuse the light, and a rippling breeze reveals holes and gaps in the matted grass where a bass might be waiting for its next meal.
Walmart pro George Cochran, currently in sixth place with 12 pounds, 3 ounces, had a much better day yesterday than he expected, catching two limits of bass before 10 a.m.
“That cloud cover and wind makes all the difference in the world on a lake like this, especially this time of year,” Cochran said. “I caught them pretty well fishing up shallow the way I like to fish. It’s a lot of fun when they’re biting like that. But once that sun came out around 10:30, it was over. So seeing some more dark morning clouds and drizzle does my heart good.”
What’s more, pros will likely get more of that kind of weather today as an 80-percent chance of rain is on tap for this afternoon.
The day-two weigh-in of the Walmart FLW Series BP Eastern on Clarks Hill will begin Thursday at 3 p.m. at Wildwood Park locate at 6212 Holloway Road in Appling.
Thursday’s conditions
Sunrise: 7:13 a.m.
Temperature at takeoff: 71 degrees
Expected high temperature: 81 degrees
Water temperature: 82 degrees
Wind: ENE at 5 to 10 mph
Day’s outlook: 80% chance of rain