Wheeler Tops Group B's Weather-Shortened Opener
Sunday, May 2, 2021
Photo: MLF
By MLF Communications Staff
It was a back-and-forth battle at the top for most of the day Saturday between Jacob Wheeler and Zack Birge at the Lake Travis MLF Bass Pro Tour in Austin, Texas. The duo traded the lead back and forth for most of Period 2, however Wheeler boated a 4-pounder right near the end of the period, then added another 4-pounder shortly after the start of Period 3 to increase his lead to just over 10 pounds.
Then, Mother Nature intervened.
Lightning in the area forced tournament officials to institute a weather-delay at 1:35 p.m. as the 40 anglers on the water stopped fishing and took shelter. After a two-hour delay, and with no end in sight, officials called the day and competition was over. It was the first time in BPT history that competitors did not complete three full periods and was also the shortest day of competition in history.