Anglers Face Rough Water in Weekend Tournament

Bassmaster Central Open launching at Lake Lewisville

The 2011 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Central Open got off to a windy start Thursday.

Despite the morning rainfall, hundreds of anglers from across the globe launched their boats into Lake Lewisville.

"We really, really lucked out," tournament manager Chris Bowes said. "Seems like the severe weather went to the north and east of us."

Bowes said the rain was the least of his worries. The wind, coupled with the recent cold snap, will make this weekend's catch hard to get.

"That has pushed back the spawn a little bit -- which spawn is the key time to fish for bass," Bowes said. "Our water temperatures are anywhere from 40s to 50s. Ideally for fishing conditions, you want to see the temperatures in the mid-60s to low 70s."

But spectators said it will make this weekend's competition worth watching.

"The pros, they're going to find fish," Micheal Knight said. "They're going to figure out a pattern before Saturday."

He and his father watched the pros at work Thursday morning.

"From growing up in it, my dad and I doing it -- it would be a dream come true to fish for a living," Knight said. "These guys go from lake to lake to lake."

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Bowes said the tournament will also boost North Texas' economy.

"It's everything from hotel rooms to anglers going to restaurants at night," he said. "We have almost 400 anglers."

Weigh-ins will take place on Friday and Saturday at 3 p.m. Friday's weigh-in will be at the Lewisville Lake Park, and Saturday's weigh-in will take place at Bass Pro Shops in Grapevine.

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