When you are fishing from the back of the boat it helps to draw a pro angler who is on fish. So far this FLW Tour season, the highest finishing pro Dearal Rodgers has drawn finished 58^th.

“Hopefully, whoever I fish with will be on them,” said Rodgers of the Walmart FLW Tour Major this week on Beaver Lake.

“It is not my favorite lake, but over the years I have learned some things to try there,” said Rodgers who highest finish on Beaver Lake in six tournaments was 21^st in May 2009 as a co-angler.

Besides hopping he draws a pro who has a shot at winning the tournament, Rodgers is also hoping the fish are finally out of their winter doldrums and ready to eat.

“From what I have heard they have had a real cold winter there like we have had,” said Rodgers, who hails from Camden, S.C. “A couple of weeks ago I heard the water temperature was in the 40s, but they have had some warmer days like we have had, so the bite should be getting better. I’m hoping we will be looking at some pre-spawn fish.”

Beaver Lake has both largemouth bass and spotted bass, Rodgers noted. Figuring whoever he draws as a pro partner will be targeting the largemouths, which are bigger, he plans to concentrate on the spotted bass which may be easier to catch.

“We can weigh in 12-inch spots, but the largemouths have to be 14 or 15 inches. While the pro is fishing for largemouths, I could target the spots and get a limit that way,” he said.

“I will be using light line, either 6-pound-test or 8-pound-test. Those clear water lakes have always been tough for me, but over the years I’ve learned to lighten my line up. On Lake Wateree we catch fish on the bottom, but there in that clear water you have to make the fish come up to the bait,” he said.

Rodgers said he probably will fish a little 4-inch worm on a Shakey head and a drop-shot for the spotted bass.

“I could also see the Bombers, like the Long-A, coming into play. A weight bait is real good on the pre-spawn spots, along with a jerkbait. In those Ozark Mountain lakes they really like a jerkbait.”

Following a work-place accident, Rodgers had intended to spend this year recovering fully from his injuries, but when the 2014 season was announced, he felt he had to get back in the game this year with one goal in mind – to qualify for the Forrest Wood Cup which will be held on Lake Murray less than an hour from his home.

After a disastrous start in the first tournament of the season when he finished 120th on Lake Okeechobee in February, Rodgers has begun to work his way back up the standings with a 15^th place finish on Lake Hartwell in early March and a 58^th place on Sam Rayburn Reservoir in late March.

“I was in the money, but I would have liked to have finished higher. I’m 48^th in points so I need to be in the top 35 in the last three tournaments,” he said. “But, I feel good about it – if I can just get past Beaver Lake.”

 

Walmart FLW Tour Major

Apr 10-13, 2014

Beaver Lake

Prairie Creek Park

www.flwoutdoors.com