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Hot Springs, AR
– The 2007 Forrest L. Wood Cup is set to get underway Thursday. 80 of the best FLW anglers will compete for a possible payday of one million dollars. All 80 contestants will fish Lake Quachita for the first two days, each hoping for enough weight to qualify for the top ten.
The weekend will witness a shootout of the ten remaining pros and the angler who can amass the most weight over the final two days will walk away with a guaranteed prize of $500,000.00. If that angler is a qualified Ranger boat owner, he will earn an additional $500,000.00.
Like any Championship should be, this week’s event is a virtual who’s who of the bass fishing world. Names like Davis, Nixon, Yelas and Cochran will be heard among those of Dudley, Lefebre and Morgan. Past champions like Luke Clausen, David Fritts and Darrel Robertson will also be competing.
However, the outlook on Quachita’s fishing this week is anything but rosy; in fact, only a few of the anglers The BASS ZONE spoke with had more than a few keeper bites during practice. It seems that catching fish isn’t a problem, but catching quality 15-inch keeper largemouth is a struggle.
Andy Morgan: Tough Practice
Lake Quachita is one of the premier fisheries in Arkansas. However, recent high waters combined with hot summer days have made catching fish difficult. “This has been six of the most grueling days I’ve ever experienced,” said FLW pro Andy Morgan when asked about his practice period. “I actually got a few bites today, so maybe it is looking up.”
Grass was going to be the primary target for the anglers this week, but conditions leading up top this event have altered the outlook of many pros. “The high water has kept the grass from growing like it usually does,” said Andy Morgan. “There is still some grass out there, but it is scattered and not holding a lot of fish.” |
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Scott Suggs: Right Place, Right Time
Wednesday’s short practice period offered cloud cover for the competitors and the overcast skies seemed to help an otherwise difficult bite. “Some of the guys said they had there best day today,” Scott Suggs said. “This fish in this lake are suspended right now and it is just a matter of being in the right place at the right time.”
With a million dollars on the line, anglers are even more inclined to avoid the truth – but it seems the general consensus is the fishing will be tough. “Early in practice, guys were saying it would take 10 to 12 pounds to make the cut,” local favorite Scott Suggs revealed.
“When the hot weather settled in, those predictions went down to around 8 or 9 pounds. I think 19 pounds will be real close to the cut line.”
Rob Kilby: Dark Horse Pick?
Rob Kilby was one of Scott Suggs’ dark horse picks to steal everyone’s thunder this week; however, the Hot Springs pro wouldn’t go that far in assessing his practice, though he was one of the only anglers The BASS ZONE spoke with who admitting to having had a decent practice. “I wouldn’t say it has been real good, but it hasn’t been all bad,” the Hot Springs angler said.
“I’ve got three different patterns that seem to be working and hopefully they will hold up.”
Rob believes 24 pounds will be cut-off for Saturday’s round, and the winner could bring in close to 30 pounds for the final two days. “You will see the occasional big limit, but I don’t think you will see the same guy weighing them in over all four days,” he suggested.
“These fish aren’t acting like they normally do this time of year and unless something weird happens, the bite should remain about the same.”
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Morgenthaler: Up and Down Practice
Chad Morgenthaler experienced the up and down bite during practice and hopes the rest of the week will be better. “It was good and bad,” Chad revealed. “I have to cover a lot of water, but the fish I’m catching are quality fish.”
Chad believes the winning angler will average around 12 pounds a day and it will take 20 plus to make the finals. “It’s going to be a close race,” he said. “There are plenty of two pound basss in this lake and it could come down to ounces.”
The BASS ZONE’s viewers will have the opportunity to follow Morgenthaler throughout his championship with a nightly journal, which should provide a unique look at a contender’s day on, and off, the water. |
The competitors will launch from Brady Mountain Resort on Thursday and return to the Summit Arena for the daily weigh-in. Once the cut is made on Friday, only 10 pros and 10 co-anglers will compete on Saturday. A co-angler champion will be named at the scales on Saturday. Anglers will take-off each day at 7 a.m. and the scales will open a 5 p.m.
Jay
Yelas: On the Record
Skeeter pro Jay Yelas recently earned the 2007 Wal-Mart FLW Angler of the Year title and will be vying for a chance to make history at this year’s Championship. Jay has won AOY on both the FLW and BASS circuits –twice on the FLW Tour. He also has a Bassmaster Classic title to his credit – and with a win at the Forrest L. Wood Cup, Jay would become the only angler to hold all for titles. |
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“It is definitely something I have thought about,” Jay said in a recent radio interview with the BASS ZONE. “With the way the two tours are going, I might be the only guy with a shot at it.” Davy Hite, now fishing BASS exclusively would only need a FLW Angler of the year Title and KVD is missing the FLW Championship for his resume.
Shonn Goodwin: Going for Grassroots
Oklahoma’s own Shonn Goodwin has thrown his hat into the FLW Tour ring, and hopes a strong finish at this event will help make his first year on tour a little easier. “At first, I didn’t realize I was eligible for the Championship by virtue of my win at the All-American.” Shonn stated.
Shonn has already committed to hitting the road next year and fishing the FLW Tour full time. Things could be a lot easier with a good finish this week. “With a good finish on Quachita, I could set myself up financially for the tour next year,” Shonn said.
“Either way, to be here this week is a huge milestone. It’s something that, along with the All American this year, will always be remembered.
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