Clean slate

Top 10 EverStart pros, 10 co-anglers start anew in ongoing quest for tournament title on Clear Lake

MANNING, S.C. – With 324 anglers already sent packing, the top 10 remaining EverStart pros and 10 co-anglers hit the open waters of Clear Lake shortly after 6:15 a.m. Friday with another day of beautiful weather, high expectations and a fresh start.

Per tournament rules, both pros and co-anglers had their weights zeroed out to start Friday’s competition. The remaining field will continue to fish the next two days in an effort to record as much weight as possible with their respective four-fish limits each session. The angler in each division with the most weight over the course of Friday and Saturday’s competition will be declared the winner.

To be sure, there is a lot at stake as anglers grapple for the lion’s share of a total tournament purse worth more than $200,000. First place in the Pro Division ultimately could be worth as much as $60,000, while co-anglers will be battling for a top award of $35,000 – assuming various contingency awards are met.

Currently, Sieg Taylor of Clearlake, Calif., holds the top qualifying position heading into Friday’s semifinals after landing a near record-setting two-day catch of 49 pounds, 8 ounces. Meanwhile, Gary Davidson of Susanville, Calif., boasts the No. 1 qualifying position in the Co-angler Division after netting a total catch of 34 pounds, 2 ounces.

EverStart action continues at Friday’s weigh-in, scheduled to take place at 4 p.m. at Wal-Mart, located at 15960 Dam Road in Clearlake, Calif.

Friday’s conditions:

Sunrise: 6:29 a.m.

Temperature at takeoff: 48 degrees

Expected high temperature: 80 degrees

Water temperature: 56-62 degrees

Wind: from the north at 7 mph

Humidity: 66 percent

Day’s outlook: sunny