End game commences
Top-10 FLW American Fishing Series finalists head out onto Lake Okeechobee in search of a tournament title
CLEWISTON, Fla. – With conditions slowly but surely getting back to normal on Lake Okeechobee, the top-10 pros and co-anglers who survived multiple weather changes, high winds and near-freezing temps over the past few days can finally see that the end is in sight. As the remaining field departed Roland & Mary Ann Martins Marina & Resort shortly after 6:45 a.m. ET, they hit the open waters of Lake Okeechobee knowing that if all goes well, there are potentially a mere eight hours away from a tournament title.
However, as usual, it won’t be easy. With the top-four pros roughly within 4 pounds of each other in the standings and Lake Okeechobee holding plenty of monster bass, the tournament is still truly up for grabs at this point.
“I’m just going to go out there and have fun,” said third-place pro qualifier Roger Gonzalez of Hialeah Gardens, Fla. “I’m going to go out there just like I was pre-fishing. I made the top 10 so anything else is now is a bonus. Whatever happens, happens.”
Day-two leader Marty Brown, who heads into the finals with a tournament leading catch of 41 pounds, 3 ounces, said he was cautiously optimistic about his chances now that the high winds – which have plagued anglers for the better part of the last two days – have finally died down.
“I’m hoping the (calm conditions) will help my bite turn on a little earlier,” he said. “Yesterday, I really didn’t start catching them until after lunchtime. And with the shorter day today, an earlier bite will really help me. But I’m fishing a transition area and with a full moon coming, the bite should be good.”
Like most competitors, Brown believes that the eventual champion will have to bring back a hefty sack of fish in order to outflank the rest of the field and grab the title.
“I think it’s going to take 20 pounds today, at least that’s what I’m hoping for,” said Brown.
As for being in the pole position heading into the final day of competition, Brown says he’s just trying to relax and enjoy the moment.
“Leading the tournament is a new experience for me,” said Brown. “There’s no pressure. But you still have to catch them. It’s going to be fun.”
Tourney format
During FLW American Fishing Series competition, pros supply the boats, fish from the front deck against other pros and control boat movement. Co-anglers fish from the back deck and compete against other co-anglers. Anglers are permitted to weigh in their best five bass each day. Every angler who receives weight credit in a tournament earns points that determine angler standings. Two hundred points are awarded to the winner, 199 points for second, 198 points for third, and so on.
Heading into today’s competition, the field has been whittled down to the top-10 pros and top 10 co-anglers. Ultimately, the tournament title in each division will be awarded to the angler who brings in the heaviest accumulated weight from all three days.
Pros will fish for a top award of $25,000 plus a 198VX Ranger boat with 200-horsepower outboard if Ranger Cup guidelines are met. Co-anglers will cast for a top award of $10,000. If the co-angler meets the Ranger Cup guidelines, they will earn an additional $5,000.
The American Fishing Series consists of four divisions – Central, Northern, Southeast and Texas. Each division will consist of three tournaments and competitors will be vying for valuable points that could earn them a trip to the American Fishing Series Invitational on Wheeler Lake in Decatur, Ala., Nov. 4-6. The points champion from each division will qualify for the 2011 Forrest Wood Cup and a fifth Forrest Wood Cup qualifier will advance from the Invitational that is open to the top 50 anglers from each division.
FLW American Fishing Series action continues at today’s weigh-in, scheduled to take place at 3 p.m. at Roland & Mary Ann Martins Marina & Resort, located at 920 E. Del Monte Avenue in Clewiston, Fla.
Bass-fishing fans take note
Want to watch the weigh in live but can’t make it in person? Then tune into FLW Live on FLWOutdoors.com shortly before 3 p.m. Central Time to watch live streaming video and audio of today’s opening-round weigh in.
Vital statistics:
Sunrise: 6:49 a.m.
Temperature at takeoff: 47 degrees
Expected high temperature: 63 degrees
Water temperature: 56-64 degrees
Wind: From the southwest at 5-10 mph
Maximum humidity: 55 percent
Day’s outlook: Mostly sunny with temperatures warming into the low to middle 60s