Connect with us

Bass News

Osinski Dominates Rayovac FLW Series on Okeechobee

Over 3 days of competition in the Rayovac FLW Series at Lake Okeechobee, there was one thing that stayed consistent, Gambler Lures owner Val Osinski. He dominated the leaderboard all 3 days, capping the event with a 25 pound, 4 ounce bag on the final day of competition. Over the 3 day stretch, Osinski caught 70 pounds, 8 ounces of Lake Okeechobee bass, winning the event by more than 12 pounds over second place finisher Brandon Medlock.

Osinski focused on the same general area, in the south end of the lake, over all 3 days of competition. Each day he had to make key adjustments to stay atop the leaderboard. On day 1, Osinski relied on a Gambler Lures Why Not paired with a Gambler Lures KO Punch Skirt to bring an even 26 pounds to the weigh-in, setting the bar for the event. On day 2, the fish reacted differently, and being the seasoned angler that Osinski is on Okeechobee, he made the necessary adjustments. He brought a 19 pound, 4 ounce limit to the scales thanks to a Gambler Lures Burner Craw. Noticing that the fish were biting more aggressively, Osinski fished the Burner Craw a little faster, and on a slightly heavier weight, to entice a reaction bite.

Heading out with the lead on day 3, as a cold front made it’s way through, Osinski started the day blazing. Before the weather got bad, he had already boated a 6-pounder thanks to his Why Not. As the “front came through, the fish got really active,” Osinski stated to FLW Outdoors. “I started throwing a white lightning-colored Gambler Lures E-Z Swimmer with a starflash tan green and gold colored KO Punch Skirt, and we started to get a ton of bites.”

With wind gusts upwards of 30 MPH, Osinski relied on his Power-Poles to make repeated casts over areas he knew would be productive. After filling his limit, Osinski decided to pick up his flipping stick and hit a series of cattail clumps, which would aid in propelling him ahead of the rest of the competition. The move paid big dividends. Osinski was able to flip up a 6-pounder and a 9-pounder to secure the victory.

Medlock Day 3

Brandon Medlock shows off his day 3 kicker.

Brandon Medlock was on the waiting list prior to the start of the tournament. He was only able to get in 2 days of practice prior to the event, after learning he would be able to compete for the title. He used day 1 of the tournament as a final practice day, and after losing a few key fish, he ended in 74th place with 12 pounds, 6 ounces.

Medlock faced a few obstacles on day 2, overheating his engine…twice, getting stuck in two boat cuts, and deciding to make a run across a rough Lake Okeechobee. Aside from everything Medlock faced on day 2, he was able to catch the largest bag of the tournament, and make the biggest jump up the leaderboard to second place, with his 26 pound, 15 ounce bag. He focused on flipping pencil reeds with a Medlock Double Guard Flipping Jig, one of the hottest jigs in the state of Florida. Medlock finished out day 3 with an 18 pound, 15 ounce limit to lock in a second place finish overall, with a 58 pound, 4 ounce total.

Joe Holland sets up on a fish on day 3.

Joe Holland sets up on a fish on day 3.

Joe Holland ended day 1 sitting in 3rd place, catching a 22 pound, 3 ounce limit. The pro from Maine found fish in the same general area as Osinski. He caught a quick limit, then upgraded by flipping a Gambler Lures Burner Craw and Why Not paired with a KO Punch Skirt. Holland slipped down the leaderboard on day 2, only catching a 13 pound, 7 ounce limit. He bounced back on a tough day 3, weighing a 14 pound, 14 ounce limit to claim 3rd place, giving Holland a 50 pound, 8 ounce total.

Mark Daniels, Jr. finished the event in 4th place (48-11), followed by Trevor Fitzgerald (45-08), Brandon McMillan (45-05), Tyler Suddarth (44-05), Hensley Powell (43-09), Scott Martin (43-07), and Tim Frederick (37-02).

 

Photos: Gambler Lures, FLW Outdoors, D.W. Reed II, Curtis Niedermier

More in Bass News