Conditions improve to allow Bassmaster event on Pickwick Lake to start Saturday

After current, high winds and flooding conditions forced the postponement of the first two days of competition in the Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite at Pickwick Lake, B.A.S.S. officials announced Friday that the tournament will resume Saturday morning and run through Tuesday afternoon.
Organizers determined falling water levels will allow for a safe resumption of competition on Saturday and no boating advisories are currently issued. Additionally, receding waters will allow daily takeoffs and weigh-ins to be held as planned at McFarland Park, some areas of which were evacuated mid-morning on Thursday due to flooding concerns, B.A.S.S. said.
The full field of 100 anglers will now compete on both Saturday and Sunday, with only the Top 50 advancing to Monday’s semifinal round. The Top 10 will compete for the championship on Tuesday. Daily takeoffs will be held at McFarland Park in Florence, Alabama, at 6:45 a.m. and weigh-ins each day at the park at 3 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday will also feature the Bassmaster Outdoors Expo, with activities and displays from a variety of sponsors. Saturday is Military Appreciation Day, where military or first responders can show their ID for a free Bassmaster hat, while Sunday will be B.A.S.S. Member Appreciation Day. Expo festivities kick-off both days at noon at McFarland Park.