Race against time

FLW pro finalists set sights on Guntersville for $100,000 payday

DECATUR, Ala. – Another final round on a big, managed river system, another day of managing logistics. Most of the 10 Wal-Mart FLW Tour pro finalists planned to run back up to Guntersville Lake Saturday, and that meant, at takeoff, most of them were more focused on the task of managing their time than figuring out how to catch fish.

This is the third FLW tournament of the year where anglers have dealt with lock-and-dam issues. (Lake Toho and the Ouachita River were the others.) In tournaments like this, especially this one where the long run and lock time take a huge bite out of the fishing day, it becomes a kind of chess match against Father Time. Saturday, when the day is shortened by two hours and the stakes are no less a $100,000, puts a fine point on time management. Do I chance the long run and the lock to go for the gusto, or do I forego a shot at bigger fish upriver and increase my fishing time by staying on the river pool right here?

By the looks of things, most of the contenders were headed right back to Guntersville and their hot spots in Browns Creek that led them to this point.

“As soon as the sun gets high enough, I’m going to go in there and see if I can get five or six fish really quick,” said Kelly Jordon, who leads all challengers with 17 pounds, 11 ounces.

That meant a return upriver to go sight-fishing, which was the dominant fishing pattern Friday. Expect Jordon’s closest competition – Michael Bennett, Chad Grigsby, Alvin Shaw, Toshi Namiki and Greg Hackney – all to do the same thing. While they are competing against each other, they all made sure this morning to confirm, as a group, on a settled time to be back at the lock to return to Decatur this afternoon.

While throwing soft plastics and jigs on Guntersville seems to be the top strategy of the leaders, there was renewed talk of staying on Wheeler Lake and throwing crankbaits Saturday morning. Many pundits have said that this tournament, while showcasing Guntersville’s big bass all week long, will be won on Wheeler the final day.

“I know that, to catch a really big sack, I’ve got to go to Guntersville, but I don’t think I can do it in just 3 1/2 hours,” said Chip Harrison, currently in eighth place with 7 pounds, 5 ounces. “I’ve been doing some crankbaiting here on Wheeler, so I think I’m going to change it up.”

Still, if the Guntersville group can get up there and back without incident, and if – a big if – their bed fish decide to bite, look for some heavy bass to come back down the river one last time.

Said Namiki, “If I can catch four or five, it’s going to be a big weight.”

The pros are competing for a $100,000 top prize based on their two-day combined weight from Friday and Saturday.

Saturday’s final weigh-in begins at 3 p.m. Central time at the Wal-Mart store located at 2800 Spring Ave. S.W. in Decatur. The free Family Fun Zone – which features interactive displays, product samples and games – opens to the public at 11 a.m.

Here at FLWOutdoors.com, weigh-in coverage on FLW Live begins at 3 p.m. Central time.

Saturday’s conditions:

Sunrise: 5:46 a.m.

Temperature at takeoff: 71 degrees

Expected high temperature: 83 degrees

Wind: SW 15 mph

Maximum humidity: 50 percent

Day’s outlook: partly cloudy