If you looked at the photo gallery from yesterday, when the anglers predicted the winning weight for this tournament, you noticed the guesses were considerably less than Jason Christie’s winning weight of 72 pounds, 3 ounces in 2014. A rough average of those estimates for this year’s event would be 60 pounds, in other words a 15-pound average over four days.
“Dirty water, flowing, crowded fishing, a little bit stingier fishing – those are my general observations,” said Mike Iaconelli in explaining the difference between Lake Dardanelle then and now.
With a 109-angler field, it will be cut to the top 51 after two days. That’s another number these guys often have in their heads – what will the “cut weight” be? In 2014 it was 26-2. Casey Ashley and Jared Miller tied with an average of 13-1 per day. And a host of other anglers were an ounce or two above and below them.
“I’ve been off the last five events, so I’m probably off here, but I’d guess 12 to 12 1/2 pounds will probably make a check,” said Mike Iaconelli.
Alton Jones thinks it might take considerably less, guessing 10 pounds a day.