One ounce cost Chris Zaldain $10,000 the last time the Elite Series came to the Sabine River. In 2013, when the 100-man field was cut to the top 50 after two days, Zaldain finished 51st, one ounce behind Billy McGaghren's two-day total of 10 pounds even.
And it was crowded at the cut-mark. Derek Remitz was 49th with only two ounces more than McCaghren. Below Zaldain, the next six places were separated by one ounce each. Granted, J Todd Tucker with 8-14 was a full pound and an ounce back of Zaldain, but today's cut-line will include the top 53 anglers, since there are 113 competing in the Elite Series this season.
If you look at BASSTrakk now and notice how many anglers are bunched in the 8- to 10-pound range, you can see how important one ounce could end up being again this year.
Finish 53rd or above today, and you've earned a check for $10,000; finish 54th or below and you get bupkis.