Hit ‘em where they ain’t
FLW anglers fishing to make the cut on day two hope to avoid traffic
CLEWISTON, Fla. – Lake Okeechobee is the second largest body of fresh water within the lower 48 states, but it still somehow seems crowded this week during the first Wal-Mart FLW Tour event of the year. The opening-round fields of 175 pros and 175 co-anglers will be pared down to 20 semifinalists per division following today’s action. Those in contention to make the cut say that finding water unoccupied by other anglers will be especially key today.
Rusty Rust of Hermitage, Tenn., parlayed that strategy into the Pro Division lead yesterday, catching over 21 pounds of bass at an isolated location he found just six days ago. Third-place pro Jimmi Leuthner of Vernon, Vt., also focused on a remote area, on the north shore of the lake. He said it was crucial to find those lonely spots that seem to be few and far between on the Big O this week.
“No one was on my spots (on day one),” Leuthner said at day-two takeoff. “That was the biggest thing. The only other guy up there was (Georgia pro) Tom Mann Jr., and he blew right by my water without stopping.”
The congested fishing conditions might help to explain why no local pros placed in the top 10 after yesterday’s competition. Those attempting to utilize the more tried-and-true locations are finding a lot of boat traffic in those areas, while others who came to Florida and located out-of-the-way fishing holes seem to have the upper hand.
Leuthner said his success on day one came as a result of extended research on Okeechobee. The Vermont native came to Florida to observe the EverStart Eastern competition here several weeks ago and hasn’t left since.
“I’ve lived here for 35 days,” he said. “I caught 17 pounds the same day of the EverStart finals.”
Anglers will weigh in today starting at 3 p.m. at Roland Martin’s Marina located at 920 E. Del Monte Ave. in Clewiston, Fla. The top 20 pros and co-anglers will advance to Friday’s semifinal round. At stake is a top prize of $110,000 in the Pro Division and $15,000 in the Co-angler Division, to be awarded following Saturday’s final round.
Day-two vital statistics
Sunrise: 7:12 a.m.
Temperature at takeoff: 70 degrees
Expected high temperature: 81 degrees
Water temperature: 72 degrees
Wind: From the southeast at 8 mph
Relative humidity: 88 percent
Day’s outlook: Mostly sunny
Day-two links: