FLW Tour competition kicks off in Alabama

Most competitors headed to Guntersville, while a few opted to stay nearby in Wheeler or Wilson

DECATUR, Ala. – Though the debate rages this week as to whether one should make the long run to Guntersville or play it safe and fish closer in Wheeler Lake or Lake Wilson, one thing all anglers agree on is that the fishing is going to be hot.

The Tennessee River chain of lakes that includes Wheeler Lake – the official tournament site – as well as Guntersville Lake and Lake Wilson is a prime fishing destination for bass anglers everywhere. The last time the Wal-Mart FLW Tour visited here, the most popular – and thus most crowded – fishing spot was undoubtedly the Decatur Flats area of Wheeler, and the winning two-day sack weighed more than 25 pounds. But with anglers allowed to lock through to Guntersville this tournament, many plan to take the gamble and catch some of Guntersville’s legendary fat bass, including Louisiana pro Charlie King.

“The fish are in postspawn mode up (in Guntersville), but there are good fish to be caught,” King said, noting that he caught a 7-pound, 13-ounce Guntersville bass in practice among several other solid fish. “I’ve got high expectations in Guntersville. The grass is not in the flats to really whack them here. Half the field is going to Guntersville.”

Excluded from that group is California pro Steve Tosh Jr., who thinks there are good fish to be found in nearby Lake Wilson, a shorter distance that allows more crucial fishing time.

“I expect that 50 percent of all these guys with high hopes at Guntersville are not going to catch them,” Tosh said. “They’ll only have four, four and a half hours to fish. You don’t fish well on the clock.”

Without the time constraints, Tosh says, it will be easier to catch a limit of five, particularly since the Wheeler/Wilson bass aren’t seeing as much fishing pressure.

Regardless of where the fish are caught, heavy limits are almost certain to be brought to the scales at today’s weigh-in, which begins at 3 p.m. at Riverwalk Marina, located on Highway 31 North in Decatur.

For bass-fishing fans unable to attend the festivities in person, you can catch all the weigh-in action live at FLWOutdoors.com with FLW Live. Show time starts at 3 p.m. Central.

Wednesday’s conditions:

Sunrise: 5:49 a.m.

Temperature at takeoff: 66 degrees

Expected high temperature: 88 degrees

Wind: from the WNW at 5 mph

Maximum humidity: 53 percent

Day’s outlook: sunny