The June 4, 2016 Roland Martin Marine Center Series Qualifier #2 is in the books and a familiar name to the Lake Okeechobee bass fishing faithful shared the spotlight. Jared McMillan and Durand Locke brought just under 32 pounds to the stage to take home the winning check of $5,000 in the highest paying team trail in Florida.
In 95 degree June heat and barely a hint of wind on Lake Okeechobee, McMillan and Locke found success early with a good limit less than a half hour after launch. With a full livewell early, they spent the rest of the day culling up to the winning weight of 31 pounds and 14 ounces.
“We both practiced on Friday in separate areas of the lake,” McMillan said. “Then we compared notes and put together our plan. It didn’t take long for us to know we were on to something good.”
The winning bag anchored by a 8.4 kicker, winner of the Gambler 2nd Big Bass, were found flipping weeds with big 4×4 Bass Jigs tipped with a black and blue chunk. “Big baits, big fish,” said McMillan.
Second place went to the team of Ron Yentz and Steve Forcell with 27 pounds even. They started culling by 10 a.m. finding success with a bladed swim jig and a black and blue Gambler Fat Ace. After finishing fourth in the first qualifier, they have their eyes set on the next qualifier in August and the Championship in December.
Rounding out the top three was the team of Jeff Zablo and Joe LaManna with 24.5. The U.S. Sugar Big Bass check for $500 went to Josh Smith with a 9.21 Lake Okeechobee largemouth. Jarred McMillan collected the Gambler $100 2nd Big Bass with 8.6 and cashed another $1,000 in Ranger Cup bucks as the highest finishing Ranger Qualified angler. Click here for the complete leaderboard for the June 4, 2016 event.
The Roland Martin Marine Center Series continues August 13, 2016 with Qualifier #3 followed by Qualifier #4 October 1, 2016 culminating with the 2-day Championship December 10th and 11th. Be sure to register today to be a part of the highest paying team trail in Florida.
