Full day of fishing ahead on Amistad

On day two, competitors not hampered by lengthy fog delay

DEL RIO, Texas – This morning’s takeoff on Lake Amistad for the Stren Series Central Division opener was markedly different from yesterday’s, when fog delayed competitors for two hours. Though anglers will finish the opening round today with a full day’s worth of competition hours, most said it didn’t matter. After all, it didn’t take a full day yesterday to break records.

“I caught my fish in about 10 minutes on one spot and in about 10 minutes on another spot,” said No. 3 pro David Mauldin. “I don’t think the two hours makes that much difference. The fish are going to bite on their spots or they’re not.”

Yesterday’s competition yielded more than 4,000 pounds of bass, which is likely a new Stren Series record for heaviest one-day catch. Lake Amistad is expected to fish just as well today, though there may be a few competitors saving up for the final rounds.

“I think the guys who caught 26 pounds and up – fifth and up – are going to be conservative,” said pro Chris Slopak, who ended day one in second place. “If they don’t have fish anywhere else, they’re really going to save them. But there will be guys who will beat them up pretty hard.”

Said Mauldin, “With the conditions and the wind, I’d say the bite’s going to be better. I think everybody will do just fine.”

Slopak himself is planning to fish his day-one honeyhole, trying to ensure he makes the top-20 cut.

“I feel comfortable with 18 pounds,” said Slopak, who caught 27-9 yesterday. “Then I’m going to check some other holes to make the cut. I’m using the standard – double the cut weight from yesterday.”

With the cuts changing this year from the top 10 for days three and four to the top 20 for day three and then the top 10 for day four, there probably will be fishermen with nothing to lose who will not play safe and will haul in heavy bags to try and make the final rounds. Therefore, another day of impressive stringers is likely on the docket today on Lake Amistad.

Day-two weigh-in festivities begin at 3 p.m. Central time at Lake Amistad Marina located on Highway 90 West in Del Rio.

Thursday’s conditions:

Sunrise: 7:16 a.m.

Temperature at takeoff: 55 degrees

Expected high temperature: 69 degrees

Wind: E at 10 mph

Maximum humidity: 57 percent

Day’s outlook: cloudy with a few showers