Deep thinking
To catch fish today on Lake Michigan, the final-round pros are looking deeper
ESCANABA, Mich. – With 124 boats eliminated, the 10 final-round pros and co-anglers headed out on Lake Michigan again Friday with the prospect of boat crowding considerably lessened. It appears that most of the final-round anglers headed south today to catch their bass, and most of them will probably be looking for deeper water.
On day one, the shallow-water bite was by far the most productive thanks to calm winds and sunny skies. Yesterday morning’s wind, though, seemed to ring the death knell for that pattern even though the wind slacked off considerably as the day wore on.
“I think the shallow fish have been affected – you saw that yesterday,” said pro Richard Lowitzki, who finished the opening round in the eighth position. “My personal feeling is the shallow fishermen are going to struggle.”
Indeed, it seems the majority of the final-round pros fished a little deeper yesterday, and today calls for more of the same. Though Thursday morning’s 5-foot swells are thankfully nonexistent today, Lowitzki expects 1 1/2- to 2-footers today – bumpy, but navigable conditions for sure.
“I think our fish are going to stay pretty much the same,” said Lowitzki of his personal hot spot, which is aided by a ferry that daily stirs the pot. “That ferry creates the current that allows fish to feed. We caught them really good in practice, and they’re still there.”
The current forecast is nearly identical to yesterday’s, with a mix of clouds and sun and winds from the south expected. These conditions have prevailed each day, yesterday morning’s wind notwithstanding.
“The wind’s going to blow the same,” said Lowitzki, who’s making about a 35-mile run. “It’s pretty calm today compared to yesterday.”
Competitors started over at zero weight today and will weigh in their day-three catches beginning at 4 p.m. Eastern at the Wal-Mart store located at 601 N. Lincoln in Escanaba.
Friday’s conditions:
Sunrise: 7:02 a.m.
Temperature at takeoff: 52 degrees
Expected high temperature: 77 degrees
Wind: S at 12 mph
Maximum humidity: 74 percent
Day’s outlook: mix of clouds and sun