The Major League Fishing Summit Cup in Alpena, Mich. switched to a new venue for the first sudden-death round today and largemouths became the predominant species. The first four anglers to reach the predetermined target weight (22 pounds) advanced to Saturday's championship round.
No anglers can be identified from this point forward, as doing so would reveal results of competition days prior to their airing on Outdoor Channel in February.
After smallmouths caught offshore on finesse-type baits ruled the 3 days of elimination-round competition at Lake Hubbard, the new venue, Lake Winyah, offered much more variety. Of the 69 fish caught, 48 were largemouths. Most of them came from grass in creeks or pockets, or along the main-lake shoreline.
Six of the nine competitors caught at least one 4-pound fish, with the biggest specimen a 4-10. Swimbaits, jigs (vibrating and conventional), topwaters and worms were among the popular offerings.
Three other anglers were within 3 pounds of the target weight when the fourth (and final) championship-round qualifier reached the mark. The other four anglers who'll compete in the final round will be determined Friday at Winyah.
