After initially shortening day 2 of the Angler of the Year Championship at Lake Michigan due to a threatening weather forecast, B.A.S.S. just announced that competition for today has been canceled.
B.A.S.S. had originally informed competitors this morning that weigh-ins for day 2 of the AOY Championship at Escanaba, Mich., would begin at 1:45 p.m. EST, rather than the scheduled 4 p.m. start time.
The forecast for today was the main factor for the move as winds are expected to increase throughout the day with the heaviest sustained blows coming this afternoon.
The National Weather Service issued a small craft advisory overnight that will be in effect through Saturday afternoon for the Bay de Noc area. According to the latest marine forecast for upper Lake Michigan, south winds are expected to be 10 to 15 knots this morning with waves ranging from 2 to 3 feet. By mid afternoon, gusts up to 33 knots are expected with waves swelling to 4 to 7 feet.
“In the interest of safety, today’s fishing has been canceled,” said Trip Weldon, B.A.S.S. tournament director in a release announcing the cancellation. “We will err on the side of caution and the safety of our anglers and their marshals."
Weldon said he and other officials plan for competition to continue on Saturday, weather permitting.
“We will make that call in the morning,” he added. Current weather forecasts show some improvement by Saturday.
