Final fury
FLW pros brave another day of stormy weather in search of tournament title on Lake Murray
COLUMBIA, S.C. – If there wasn’t $100,000 on the line during today’s tournament final, it is doubtful that anyone would have blamed the pros for not getting out of bed this morning to embark on a grueling, 7-hour fishing trip. With temperatures hovering in the mid-50s, the top 10 finalists were greeted with blackened skies, pouring rain and generally all-around miserable conditions as they departed Lighthouse Marina shortly after 7 a.m.
But hey, that’s life in the big leagues. Bundled up from head to toe, focused and determined, finalists hit the open waters of Lake Murray with the knowledge that the tournament title is truly up for grabs in today’s competition. With only 3 pounds and 2 ounces separating the top five contenders, and 6 pounds and 3 ounces separating the top eight qualifiers, the majority of the field realizes that they are only one cast away from taking the lead on Lake Murray – a lake that has produced innumerable 7-, 8- and 9-pound largemouth bass throughout the week.
Currently, Larry Nixon of Bee Branch, Ark., is leading the tournament after hauling in a 17-pound, 15-ounce catch in yesterday’s competition. It also appears that Nixon got the “ideal” weather he was looking for with plenty of rain and low winds.
However, second-place qualifier Bud Pruitt of Spring, Texas, is sure to give Nixon a run for his money before the day is over, after turning in a 16-pound, 6-ounce sack during the semifinals. Chris Elliott (third) Gloucester, N.C., is third with 16 pounds, 1 ounce and remains within easy striking distance of the leaders.
Stanley Mitchell of Fitzgerald, Ga., (fourth place with 15 pounds, 15 ounces) and Darrel Robertson of Jay, Okla., (fifth place with 14 pounds, 13 ounces), are in easy reach of the leaderboard as well.
John Crews of Jetersville, Va., (sixth) with a catch of 12 pounds, 6 ounces; Wesley Strader (seventh) of Spring City, Tenn., with a catch of 12 pounds; Rick Clunn (eighth) of Ava, Mo., with a catch of 11 pounds, 12 ounces; Jody Cordell (ninth) of Flowery Branch, Ga., with a catch of 6 pounds, 6 ounces; and Dan Morehead (10th) of Paducah, Ky., with a catch of 6 pounds, 5 ounces round out the top 10.
The tournament title ultimately will be awarded to the pro finalist who records the largest combined stringer weight in both the semfinals and finals.
FLW action continues at today’s final weigh-in, scheduled to take place at 3 p.m. at the Wal-Mart Supercenter, located at 360 Harbison Boulevard in Columbia, S.C.
The community is encouraged to the Family Fun Zone, which is located outside the weigh-in tent in the Wal-Mart parking lot. The Family Fun Zone, a free event featuring games, product giveaways and interactive displays, opens at 11 a.m.
Vital statistics:
Sunrise: 6:35 a.m.
Temperature at takeoff: 45 degrees
Expected high temperature: 59 degrees
Water temperature: 58 degrees
Wind: from the northeast at 8 mph
Relative humidity: 90 percent
Day’s outlook: rain and thunder throughout the day
Chance of precipitation: 90 percent
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