GUNTERSVILLE, Ala. – When the official time clock struck 6 a.m. Saturday, the top 10 pros and 10 co-anglers blasted off for final-day competition in the EverStart Eastern event at Guntersville Lake.

Nine pros and nine co-anglers have their work cut out for them today as two local anglers lead the event.

In the Pro Division, Edward Gettys of Stevenson, Ala., has a 4-pound, 5-ounce lead. In the Co-angler Division, Greg Coots of Fyffe, Ala., has a 3-pound lead.

To make matters more challenging for the other nine contestants in each division, these two well-known locals are fishing together today.

“It’s going to be hard to catch him,” said pro Micah Bennett of Summerville, S.C., who is in second behind Gettys. “He’s got so many good deep-water spots to fish. I only have a couple of spots, and I’m afraid they are running out of fish.”

Another thing in Gettys’ favor is the weather as it’s supposed to be a carbon copy of the past few days – hot, humid and still – the perfect conditions for his deep-water bite.

The only surprise the anglers may get today is a lot of boat traffic and fishing pressure since it’s Saturday.

The final weigh-in will start at 4 p.m. Central at the Guntersville Wal-Mart.

Saturday’s conditions:

Air temperature: 70 degrees

Water temperature: 81 degrees

Wind: forecasted from the southwest at 5 to 10 mph

Day’s outlook: sunny, hot, high of 89 degrees