Top 10 or bust

Anglers focus all energies on qualifying for the finals during today’s competition

GROVE, Okla. – What a difference 24 hours make. Yesterday at this time, 330 anglers still entertained thoughts of competing for the prestigious EverStart title on Grand Lake. Now, only 40 anglers share that same dream.

As the morning sun drifted lazily above the horizon and unseasonably cool temperatures dominated the landscape for a third consecutive day, the top 20 pros and co-anglers made their way past Red 11 Port marina shortly after 6 a.m. in search of today’s ultimate prize – a berth in Saturday’s all-important final round of competition.

To be sure, the stakes are high. Earmarked for the ultimate winner of the Pro Division is a first-place prize of $15,000 and a brand new, fully equipped Ranger boat. The Co-angler champion can expect to be rewarded with a check for a cool $6,000.

However, before anglers can start thinking about the ultimate prize, they must survive today’s top-10 cut. And it won’t be easy. With cool water temperatures keeping the fish in a finicky mood – only a little more than two dozen limits have been brought to the scales over the past two days – anglers undoubtedly will have use their entire arsenal to fish another day.

And dream another dream.

EverStart action continues at today’s weigh-in, scheduled to take place at 4 p.m. at the Wal-Mart Supercenter, located at 2115 South Main Street in Grove, Okla.

Vital statistics:

Sunrise: 5:59 a.m.
Temperature at takeoff: 34 degrees
Expected high temperature: 61 degrees
Water temperature: 55 degrees
Wind: From the southeast at 6 mph
Relative humidity: 67 percent
Day’s outlook: Mostly sunny

Related links:
Photos
Day-three pairings
Day-two results