Delta dawn
EverStart anglers battle it out for place in top 20, spot in tomorrow’s semifinals
OAKLEY, Calif. – For the second consecutive day, anglers awoke to clear skies, warm temperatures and nearly perfect fishing conditions. However, as the sun crept over the horizon before the start of Thursday’s takeoff, anglers were less concerned with the weather than with the most pressing hurdle of the day – qualification for today’s top-20 cut.
As the full field of 242 anglers made their way past Big Break Marina shortly after 6 a.m., the competition was well aware that more than 200 anglers will be sent packing after today’s all-important weigh-in. The result is that while huge comebacks can be made on the water today given the bounty of big fish available on the Delta, there is little room for error for those playing catch-up.
As usual, the stakes are high for everyone. Factoring in contingency and bonus awards, the eventual winner of the Pro Division could pocket up to $60,000 in cash and prizes – including a brand new, fully equipped Ranger Comanche boat. The winning co-angler, assuming the same sponsor criteria is met, could take home more than $30,000 in cash and prizes as well.
However, it’s not just the immediate prize money that has anglers gunning for broke today. Valuable year-end point totals in the standing’s race are up for grabs as well. Specifically, the top 30 anglers in the Western Division standings at the end of this week’s competition will qualify for the 2003 FLW Championship, which boasts a total purse of more than $300,000. In addition, anglers who finish in the top 10 in the standings will receive an automatic berth into the 2004 FLW Tour.
EverStart action continues at today’s weigh-in, scheduled to take place at 3 p.m. at Big Break Marina, located at 100 Big Break Road in Oakley, Calif.
Vital statistics:
Sunrise: 5:48 a.m.
Temperature at takeoff: 65 degrees
Expected high temperature: 89 degrees
Water temperature: 68 degrees
Wind: calm
Relative humidity: 43 percent
Day’s outlook: partly cloudy
Related links:
Photos
Day-two pairings
Day-one results