Cut to the chase
Many anglers playing catch-up in bid to qualify for today’s top-10 cut at FLW Tour event on Lake Okeechobee
CLEWISTON, Fla. – As the full field of 400 pros and co-anglers departed Roland Martin Marina shortly after 7 a.m. Thursday morning, many anglers found themselves in the difficult position of having to overcome huge deficits in an effort to move up the leaderboard in hopes of fishing another day.
But it won’t be easy.
With a top-10 cut on the line in today’s competition, anglers will have to battle some tough competition as well as increased congestion at the shrinking pool of viable fishing areas – the few spots left unscathed by the 2004 hurricane season.
Jim Moynagh of Carver, Minn., who found himself in 113th place after netting a 5-pound, 13-ounce stringer in Wednesday’s competition, seemed to represent the concerns and strategies of many anglers heading into today’s action.
“From my perspective, I’m definitely playing catch-up,” said Moynagh. “But the thing you have to tell yourself is that one cast, one flip, can be the equalizer. If you manage to catch a 9-pounder, suddenly you’re a contender again. So much of fishing Lake Okeechobee is getting the big bite. That’s why it’s important to put yourself in an area where you’re catching several fish. Then, hopefully, you’ll hook into that big bite.”
Although Lake Okeechobee offered up some giants in yesterday’s competition, including a handful of 8-plus-pound largemouths, they were relatively few and far between. However, with new tournament rules offering pro anglers a guaranteed cash payout of $10,000 for finishing in at least 50th place, anglers will certainly be doing everything in their power to catch those big bites.
Currently, FLW Tour rookie Bobby Lane of Lakeland, Fla., is in the lead in the Pro Division with a one-day catch of 23 pounds, 8 ounces. Meanwhile, Jim Short of Ocean Pines, Md., holds the top spot in the Co-angler Division after netting an impressive catch of 12 pounds, 14 ounces from the back of the boat.
Thursday’s weigh-in begins at 3 p.m. at Roland Martin’s Marina, located at 920 E. Del Monte Ave. in Clewiston.
Thursday’s conditions:
Sunrise: 7:13 a.m.
Temperature at takeoff: 47 degrees
Expected high temperature: 66 degrees
Water temperature: 53-57 degrees
Wind: from the northwest at 8 mph
Maximum humidity: 56 percent
Day’s outlook: mostly sunny