Soggy bottom boys

EverStart Central anglers take off in wet conditions on the Columbus Pool

COLUMBUS, Miss. – EverStart Series Central Division competitors got started on the Columbus Pool in familiar conditions – rain. After getting drenched with cold rain and thunderstorms on days one and two at Sam Rayburn, Central anglers will again fish in wet weather to kick off the season’s second event.

Though the precipitation at takeoff was more of a light mist, more showers are expected in the Columbus area this afternoon. Temperatures at launch hovered around the 40-degree mark, though it felt more like the lower 30s.

The fishing forecast seems dreary as well, according to loose talk at Tuesday night’s registration. While the fish are ready to move up and spawn, a cold front that has currently chilled the area has also made the bite very tough. Several competitors had planned to lock through and fish south, but with the wind blowing like it will be today on the Columbus Pool, the sight-fishing rumored to be going on down south will likely be hampered.

Part of the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway, the Columbus Pool is situated near the historic town of Columbus, Miss., and is reportedly the most-fished area of the Tenn-Tom. This week marks the first time the EverStart Series has visited this particular fishery.

Pros and co-anglers will weigh in their catches today at the Columbus Marina, located at 295 Marina Drive in Columbus, beginning at 3 p.m.

Wednesday’s conditions:

Sunrise: 6:02 a.m.

Temperature at takeoff: 39 degrees

Expected high temperature: 53 degrees

Wind: from the north-northeast at 12 mph

Maximum humidity: 71 percent

Day’s outlook: cloudy skies with showers this afternoon