KIMBERLING CITY, Mo. — The field has been cut to 12, and the remaining anglers are going to be fishing in new conditions for the last day of competition. Cloudy skies and the possibility of rain is in the forecast, and it is forcing some anglers to change their strategy.
Todd Faircloth has a four pound lead over Edwin Evers, who is in second place, which puts the pressure on the rest of the field to have a huge day if they plan on contending.
The weather and the weights stick it to the chasing angler to decide to go big and fish for the win, or to be conservative and fish for place. Here is what they said before takeoff on Sunday morning.
Jon Bondy
Is the front that is moving in going to change the way you fish?
The wind isn't the best for anybody fishing out deep because it blows you around, but as long as it isn't coming from the west or northwest I should be all right. I don't mind the clouds. Clouds or sun and I can still catch them. I'm fishing in 32 feet of water so they still bite.
What do you think is going to be the weight that wins it?
I think the winner is going to need at least 45 or 47 pounds, but it could be more. Todd Faircloth is going to have to falter. If all of those guys above me falter, and I catch 12 or 13 pounds, I could still win.
Does Faircloth's big lead put you in a position where you have to gamble?
No, I am around fish. I've got a good spot, I just need him to stumble. I've been steady Eddy. A lot of these guys have had one great day and one bad day, but I have had three pretty good days. If I have another pretty good day, I should be able to catch a top-3 anyway.
Edwin Evers
Is the front that is moving in going to change the way you fish?
No, not a bit. I'm fishing deep, and I'm just going to keep doing the same thing I have been doing.
What do you think is going to be the weight that wins it?
I am going to need about 13 or 14-1/2 pounds. I think it will be around 48 pounds to win.
Does Faircloth's big lead put you in a position where you have to gamble?
No, I just need to catch a big fish. I haven't caught that big fish yet. If I can do that, I should be in pretty good shape.
John Murray
Is the front that is moving in going to change the way you fish?
No, not really. I am using some reaction bait in deep water, so it shouldn't change much. It's not like I am finessing, so t shouldn't be too big of a factor.
What do you think is going to be the weight that wins it?
It will be a lot. It's going to be hard to catch Todd. Anybody outside of sixth or seventh is really going to have to bust a big bag. I think that the way this lake shakes out, and with the weather changes, I think those big bags are possible.
Does Faircloth's big lead put you in a position where you have to gamble?
Yeah, I am. I caught the bag of the tournament on Friday using a spoon. Then I caught one 4-pound fish yesterday doing the same thing, and they quit biting. But I am going to stick with that today, and just hope that I catch five fish. If I can do that, I could get 15-to-18 pounds. You have to go with what got you there. I'll throw a worm too, if I really think there are some fish there, but for the most part, I am going to use the spoon.
Tommy Biffle
Is the front that is moving in going to change the way you fish?
It might. If they are not biting I'll have to switch. I've been fishing cover, and this weather might make them off that cover and roam around. I may have to change a different bait or two to get the to bite.
What do you think is going to be the weight that wins it?
Probably about 52 pounds. I think they'll catch 10 or 12 pounds.
Does Faircloth's big lead put you in a position where you have to gamble?
No, I am just going to go fishing where I've been fishing. There are quality fish in the there if I can just get five of them to bite, I could catch maybe close to a 20-pound bag. There have been 4-pound fish caught where I am fishing every day, so if I can just get two or three of them to bite, I'll still be in good shape.
Bill Lowen
Is the front that is moving in going to change the way you fish?
No, probably not. I am just fishing way up in the river shallow. All my fish are coming from two or three foot on creek channel swings that have stump rows on them. So the weather won't change anything.
What do you think is going to be the weight that wins it?
Somebody is going to catch 14 or 15 pounds with the front coming into today, but I don't know what the final weight is going to be.
Does Faircloth's big lead put you in a position where you have to gamble?
No, I am just going to do the same thing. If they bite great, if they don't, I can't finish any worse than 12th. Todd has been consistent every day, so I am looking for him to do very well. I caught some big fish in practice, but I haven't caught one yet in competition, so that makes me think I can catch a big bag.
Bill Smith
Is the front that is moving in going to change the way you fish?
Yeah it is. The good thing is that I had a real good practice with the weather like this. I was having 15-to-18-day practices with the could cover. I have been using a jig and a drop shot and fishing deep, but is this cloud cover show me that it's going to stay, I am swinging for the fences.
What do you think is going to be the weight that wins it?
Todd's going to bump it up to 52 pounds. If I have a good day I can get 18 or 19 pounds. I am hoping that Faircloth is on some deep structure and this blows him off. If it doesn't, he's got it locked.
Does Faircloth's big lead put you in a position where you have to gamble?
I feel like if I can go back and get that 9-pound fish I lost the first day, it will put me right back with Todd. I was catching some fours and fives in practice, so if I can get hooked up with them, I can at least take a swing at it anyway.
Ishama Monroe
Is the front that is moving in going to change the way you fish?
I am going to start out doing what I've been doing, which is drop shoting, but yeah, I am going to move if it rains and possibly go fish for some largemouth. It depends on what's going on out there. If I get a lot of boat traffic, yes I am going to go shallow and look for largemouth.
What do you think is going to be the weight that wins it?
Probably about 50 or 51 pounds.
Does Faircloth's big lead put you in a position where you have to gamble?
I need 20 pounds, but I am not going to swing for the fences. I am going to play it consistent and try to make the Classic. I am close to making it, and shooting for a win there is a lot more important than shooting for a win here.
Kevin Short
Is the front that is moving in going to change the way you fish?
I don't think so. I may move around a little bit if the wind does pick up. I might move to the south side of the lake, but I hope maybe the clouds will bring more fish to my area. I think I have thinned them out over the last three days, and I hope this might bring me some of those fresh fish to catch.
What do you think is going to be the weight that wins it?
It should be pretty close to 50 pounds. The weights will be about the same as they were yesterday.
Does Faircloth's big lead put you in a position where you have to gamble?
No, I'm not going to do anything different. I've been sitting on some quality fish, and I just need to catch enough of them.
Skeet Reese
Is the front that is moving in going to change the way you fish?
Yeah, actually it changed my strategy. If it would have stayed sunny like it has been the last couple of days, I probably wouldn't have decided to go shallow. I would have gone down on the lower lake and try to catch some deep fish. Hearing yesterday that we were going to get some thunderstorms in I knew I had to gamble a little and stay where I'm at. I know there are some 3-and-4-pound largemouth in the area, and if I get five big ones, game on.
What do you think is going to be the weight that wins it?
It's so hard to say. Faircloth is sitting here with 39 pounds, and he might catch one or two fish today and he might catch 15 pounds. If he only catches a couple and somebody come in with 15 pounds it could get interesting. It's not over until it's over. One bite can change everything. There a lot of 8-and-9-pound fish in this lake.
Does Faircloth's big lead put you in a position where you have to gamble?
I am going to be fishing the way I think you need to, to catch five big ones out here today. I know it sounds farfetched, but those big fish are out here. I may finish 12th, and I may finish 2nd, but I am here and I am going to go for it.