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Young, Nixon plan to fish “saved” water on day four
HARDIN, Ky. – Winning a major bass tournament is never easy. Not only do you have to catch enough weight to qualify for the final round, but you also have to save enough fish to seal the deal. On day four of the Walmart FLW Tour event on Kentucky and Barkley lakes, both local pro David Young and legendary angler Larry Nixon plan to fish their “ace in the hole.”
The problem with saving an area and not fishing it for three days is that conditions change, especially on a TVA lake. While it’s certainly possible that fish that were congregated in practice are still there, it’s also possible that they have moved entirely. In addition, another competitor or recreational angler could have found them and hammered on them unannounced to Young or Nixon.
“When I started this tournament I had seven or eight places and now I’m down to three or four places, 
but that’s what happens with these mussel-bed bass,” said Nixon.
The 58-year-old Bee Branch, Ark., native plans to fish his two best spots first thing this morning. His “ace in the hole” will come into play at around 9:30 or 10 a.m.
“It’s a place where I caught two big fish on the first day and I haven’t been there since. After catching 20 pounds yesterday morning I kind of took my foot off the gas. Today I’m going to catch everything I can and I’d like to have about 22 pounds.”
Being a local, Young probably has more spots than any of the other nine finalists. But that can be both a blessing and a curse. Young said he’s focused on keeping his baits in the water and not running all over the lake, as tempting as it may be. His “ace in the hole” is not a big-fish area, but a spot that is loaded with quality fish.
“It’s got almost all 3- and 3 1/2-pounders,” Young said. “If I have to, I can get me a limit real quick there. If 
I get to get to catching them real good I won’t leave this area.”
The one thing Young is concerned about is the lack of sunshine. He is primarily fishing a spoon and he said the sun gives the spoon added flash.
“When it’s shining, it’s just like a flashlight going off down there. The fish can see it from 20 to 30 feet away.”
In a tournament that many expected to be won south of Paris, Tenn., both anglers are staying north. In fact, Young and Nixon have seen each other on the water and have fished the same areas, although not at the same time.
Tournament notes
Today represents the fourth and final day of competition at the FLW Tour event on Kentucky and 
Barkley lakes. First place in the Pro Division will go to the angler who brings in the heaviest two-day combined stringer over Saturday and Sunday. The winning pro is guaranteed a top prize of $100,000, with a chance to win $125,000 if he is a registered owner of a Ranger boat.
The action continues at today’s weigh-in, which is scheduled to take place at 4 p.m. Central time at the Regional Special Events Center at Murray State University located at 1401 State Route 121 North in Murray, Ky. The free Family Fun Zone will open its doors at noon. One lucky member of the audience will win a new Ranger boat during the final 4 p.m. weigh-in. Admission is free and you must be present to win.
On the Web
For those who can’t catch the weigh-in action in person, FLWOutdoors.com offers FLW Live, an online application that brings fans real-time weigh-in results, streaming video and audio.
In addition to FLW Live, FLWOutdoors.com is offering real-time updates from the water throughout each day of the Kentucky Lake event. Simply click on the “On the Water Coverage” banner from any of the FLW Outdoors, Bass and FLW Tour home pages.
Sunday’s conditions
Sunrise: 5:34 a.m.
Temperature at takeoff: 73 degrees
Expected high temperature: 86 degrees
Water temperature: 78-83 degrees
Wind: SSW at 6 mph
Maximum humidity: 65 percent
Day’s outlook: scattered thunderstorms