They’re off

2002 FLW season kicks off with near perfect weather conditions, heightened anticipation

CLEWISTON, Fla. – Greeted by a backdrop of bright, blue skies and a fiery red sun inching over the horizon, 350 anglers from 30 states made their way past Roland Martin Marina shortly after 7 a.m. to commence opening-round action of the first FLW Tour event of the 2002 season. With a calm breeze blowing from the southeast, anglers carefully entered the open waters of Lake Okeechobee in a bid to wrest control of the tournament and make a run at the top prize of $110,000 in the Pro Division and $15,000 in the Co-angler Division.

However, winning the Lake Okeechobee tour event will not be easy. Thanks to rising water levels, balmy weather conditions and renewed bass habitats and vegetation, Lake Okeechobee could very well produce some of the largest stringers of largemouth bass seen all year by the vaunted FLW field. The four-day tournament, which will conclude Jan. 26 at the final weigh-in at the Wal-Mart Supercenter in Clewiston, Fla., represents the first of seven FLW events scheduled for 2002.

During the first two days of the tournament, anglers will be fighting to make the top-20 cut, scheduled to occur after the last angler has weighed in on Thursday. On Friday, the winner of the Co-angler Division will be crowned while the pro field will be whittled down to the top 10 remaining anglers.

FLW action continues at today’s weigh-in, scheduled to take place at 3 p.m. at Roland Martin’s Marina located at 920 E. Del Monte Ave. in Clewiston, Fla.

Vital statistics

Sunrise: 7:13 a.m.
Temperature at takeoff: 70 degrees
Expected high temperature: 81 degrees
Water temperature: 70 degrees
Wind: From the southeast at 8 mph
Relative humidity: 87 percent
Day’s outlook: Mostly sunny

For a look at all of the day’s photos, click here.