Rain to Greet PAA Pros at Lake Lanier
Category: press release
Mar 28th, 2011 by OutdoorsFIRST
Modified Mar 28th, 2011 at 12:00 AM
BUFORD, Ga. – Spring weather is fickle, as the field on Lake Lanier has
discovered for in the season-opener for the Bass Pro Shops PAA Tournament
Series presented by Carrot Stix.
Gorgeous spring weather and warm temperatures the last few weeks have given
way to persistent rains, thunderstorms and high water on Lanier. Practice
began Monday morning for the tournament that begins Thursday out of Sunset
Cove at Lake Lanier Islands Resort.
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| Mike DelVisco |
“I think this is going to be very interesting event and it’s one I have looked forward to since the announcement,” said Roadhouse Tackle pro Mike DelVisco of South Carolina. “We have had some up-and-down weather the last month, with it being near 80 one day and frost on the windshields the next.”
At stake is cash and a new Nitro Z-8 outfitted with a Mercury 225 and T-H Marine Atlas jackplate. The angler with the biggest bass of the tournament
will be awarded a new Humminbird 898c Si Combo sonar unit, and the angler
with biggest bass of the season will win a new Minn Kota Talon shallow water
anchor. An extra $9,500 is available to eligible pros who take advantage of
contingency programs from Bass Pro Shops, Optima Batteries, BoatU.S. Angler,
Power-Pole and ProPatterns.com.
Morning launches will go out of Sunset Cove, with the first two days’
weigh-ins at the site. Launches begin at 7 a.m. and weigh-ins at 3 p.m. The
field will be cut to the Top 20 for the last day, with the final-day
weigh-in will be held at Bass Pro Shops in Lawrenceville starting at 4:30
p.m. Fans also are invited to attend Registration Day and free seminars from
the pros on Wednesday, March 30, at Bass Pro Shops in Lawrenceville from
3:30-6:30 p.m.
Rain pushed by a cold front from the Midwest moved through the area over the
weekend, dropping temperatures to about 50 during the day. The forecast for
the week from The Weather Channel calls for The weather forecast for the
week calls for highs of about 60 during the day, lows in the low 40s and an
80 percent chance of thunderstorms on Wednesday. Rain chances are lower
toward the end of the week, but that means post-frontal conditions.
Lanier’s deep, clear water will be rocking with releases through Buford Dam
to move the rainfall on through the Chattahoochee River. Lake levels are at
or near full pool, and instead of tough clear conditions the pros may find
stained water on the lake and muddy or dirty creeks. That could elevate the
topwater, jig and crankbait bite – lipless and square-bill – as opposed to
finesse tactics or jerkbaits.
With more than 38,000 acres of water and numerous coves, points and
structure to pick apart, DelVisco believes it could be wide-open this week.
“With Lanier being a deep clear body of water I think you could catch them
in a great number of ways,” he said. “It should be dominated by spots, but I
think we will also see some good largemouth weighed in. It should take 15-18
pounds a day to win, maybe a little more.”
About the PAA
The Professional Anglers Association is a non-profit organization that gives
professional anglers a unified voice in order to aid in the growth of the
sport of professional bass fishing. The PAA also aims to administer
educational programs to the average angler, to increase enjoyment of the
sport, and to embrace sound conservation practices to further the future of
the sport. Web: www.FishPAA.com
2011 PAA Tournament Series
What: 2011 Bass Pro Shops Tournament Series presented by Carrot Stix
Where: Lake Lanier, at Lake Lanier Islands Resort
When: March 31-April 2
Launch/weigh-in: First two days, launch at 7 a.m. and weigh-in at 3 p.m. at
Sunset Cove on Lake Lanier, at Lake Lanier Islands Resort
Final day launch/weigh-in: Launch at 7 a.m. at Sunset Cove, weigh-in at 4:30
p.m. at Bass Pro Shops, 5900 Sugarloaf Parkway, Lawrenceville, Ga.
At stake: Cash and a 2011 Nitro Z8 with Mercury 225 and T-H Marine Atlas
Jackplate, along with points toward PAA Angler of the Year title and
qualification for the 2012 PAA All Star Series and 2011 Toyota Texas Bass
Classic
Online: FishPAA.com
2011 PAA Tournament Series Premier Sponsors: Bass Pro Shops, E21 Carrot
Stix, Optima Batteries, Nitro Performance Bass Boats
2011 PAA Tournament Series Associate Sponsors: Lazer TroKar, Jasper Engines
& Transmissions, Mercury Marine, Humminbird/Minn Kota, BoatUS Foundation,
Fishouflage, U.S. Reel, Sign Designs, Toyota Texas Bass Classic