FLW Tour to Visit Table Rock Lake Where Temperatures Expected to be Cold, but Bite Hot

Fish Should be Plentiful at First Stop of FLW Tour

After last week’s cancelation due to severe weather conditions on the Red River FLW will visit Table Rock Lake in Branson, Mo., March 3-6 for what is now the first of five stops on the FLW Tour circuit. Hosted by the Branson/Lakes Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, the tournament will feature as many as 300 top bass anglers casting for top awards up to $125,000 cash in the Pro Division and up to $25,000 cash in the Co-angler Division.

“I am looking forward to this stop,” said Chevy pro Anthony Gagliardi of Prosperity, S.C., who won the 2009 event on Table Rock Lake. “Having won here last year I have a lot of confidence going into this tournament, I would rather be going here than anyplace else.”

“Everyone is going to be catching fish, there just won’t be as many big ones caught,” added Gagliardi. “The fish will bite; the cold is probably going to impact the fisherman more than the fish.”

“I was disappointed in the fact that the Red River event got canceled last week, but I believe it was 100% the right decision that FLW made, it was what needed to be done. However, that being said, with only five tournaments to qualify for the Forrest Wood Cup there will be less room for error, it’s going to be a game of points and the one thing you don’t want to have is a really bad finish.”

With water temperatures expected to be between 40 – 50 degrees anglers should expect a slow retrieve according to FLW pro Kathryn Ealey, who will be fishing Table Rock Lake for the first time, patience will be key. She will be looking for bait fish in hopes of getting a reaction bite from the bass.

Anglers will take off from Table Rock State Park Marina located at 380 State Park Marina Road (Highway 165 South) in Branson at 7 each morning. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday weigh-ins will also be held at the marina beginning at 3 p.m. Saturday’s final weigh-in will be held at the Branson Convention Center located at 200 West Main Street in Branson beginning at 4 p.m.

The fish will definitely be biting, according to pro Ish Monroe.

“The fish are used to cold weather,” he said. “I think it is going to take 65 – 70 pounds to win this tournament. Anglers will be catching all varieties of bass, smallmouth, bigmouth, and spotted. The key is going to be taking advantage of opportunities in order to reel the big ones in. I am excited to fish Table Rock, this is my third time fishing it competitively; my first time I finished in the top-20, my second the top-10, and this time I expect to do even better.”

Fans will be treated to a Family Fun Zone & Outdoor Expo at the Branson Convention Center on Friday from 5 p.m.-9 p.m. and Saturday prior to the final weigh-in from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be a drawing for a Can-Am ATV and rod and reel combos will be given to the first 300 kids under 14 in attendance on Saturday. The Family Fun Zone & Outdoor Expo includes Ranger boat simulators, the opportunity to interact with professional anglers, enjoy interactive games, activities and giveaways provided by sponsors, and learn more about the sport of fishing and other outdoor activities. All activities are free and open to the public. For a full schedule of events, additional information and to register for the ATV, visit FLWOutdoors.com/branson.

In FLW Tour competition, anglers are also vying for valuable points in hopes of qualifying for the 2010 Forrest Wood Cup, the world championship of bass fishing. This year’s Cup will be in Atlanta Aug. 5-8 on Lake Lanier.

Coverage of the Table Rock Lake tournament will be broadcast in high-definition (HD) on VERSUS. “FLW Outdoors,” will air April 18 from 12:30 to 1:30 ET. “FLW Outdoors,” hosted by Jason Harper, is broadcast to approximately 500 million households worldwide.
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