November 6, 2022
Okeechobee, FL- It’s tough to win a bass tournament. If you catch them in one area, on one technique today, there’s no guarantee that you’ll have the same success doing the same thing tomorrow. It’s even tougher to win a multi-day tournament in a 145 boat field of the strongest bass fisherman from across the state of Florida. But Chris Maxwell and Michael Porter did just that. The team from the Kissimmee Division led day one of the 2022 Blazer Boats Xtreme Bass Series Championship presented by Mercury Marine at Lake Okeechobee with 25.22 pounds and had an almost 5 pound margin going into the final day of competition.
The final weigh-in was a tense one. Maxwell and Porter’s kicker was weighed first and came in at 6.62 pounds. The duo needed 11.65 pounds in total to claim victory over Blake Briscoe and Brad Briscoe. The scales settled at 14.97 pounds for a 2 day total of 40.19 pounds to win a new Blazer Boats 595 Pro Elite powered by a 200 HP Mercury Pro XS and two 8 foot Power-Pole Blades valued at $55,000.00. They also were awarded the Michael J. Blocher Memorial Award for the Frequent Fishing Program worth $500.00. Teams who compete in 12 events or more throughout the season are entered into the Frequent Fishing Program and compete against one another at the championship. The highest finishing team from the program at the Championship is awarded the Michael J. Blocher Memorial Award.
“We got lucky”, Maxwell said. “We struggled all day today until the end. Then I caught that 6 pounder and hoped we would still have a chance.”
Blake Briscoe and Brad Briscoe from the Citrus Division held onto the lead for the majority of the final day weigh in. The Citrus Division points champions had 17.77 pounds on day 1 to put them inside the Top 10. They followed up with a 19.09 pound bag on the final day for a two day total of 36.86 pounds. They took home a second place finish, $4,000.00, and the overall Team of the Year title for free entries into one division in the 2023 season by being the highest finishing divisional points champion.
Rodney Hunter and Steve Griffing from the Kissimmee Division broke into the Top 5 on day 1 with 19.23 pounds. They anchored their day 1 bag with a 7.04 pound kicker to take home 2nd Big Bass on day 1 and $450.00. They caught another 17.16 pounds on day 2, giving them a two day total of 36.39 pounds and a 3rd place finish worth $2,500.00. Hunter and Griffing also caught 2nd Big Bass on day 2 for an additional $450.00.
Rounding out the Top 5 was Jim Folks and Jeremy Smith with a two day total of 36.38 pounds worth $2,000.00 for 4th place, followed by Ken Whitlow and Stephen Whitlow in 5th place with 36.34 pounds, worth $1,500.00
Big Bass of the event was caught on day 2 by the team of Tony Bartels and Tom Burke. Burke’s fish weighed in at an even 10.00 pounds and netted the duo $1,000.00 in addition to their 6th place finish.
The 2022 season saw record participation numbers, giving a total payout from the weekend’s event of over $81,000.00 in cash and prizes.
Top 10
1st Place: Chris Maxwell and Michael Porter- 40.19 pounds, Blazer 595 Pro Elite, 200 HP Mercury Pro XS, 2 8-ft Power Pole Blades valued at $55,000.00 + $500.00 Michael J. Blocher Memorial Award
2nd Place: Blake Briscoe and Brad Briscoe- 36.86 pounds, $4,000.00 + Team of the Year (free entries into one division for 2023 season)
3rd Place: Rodney Hunter and Steve Griffing- 36.39 pounds, $2,500.00 + $450 2nd Big Bass Day 1 + $450 2nd Big Bass Day 2
4th Place: Jim Folks and Jeremy Smith- 36.38 pounds, $2,0000.00
5th Place: Ken Whitlow and Stephen Whitlow- 36.34 pounds, $1,500.00
6th Place: Tony Bartels and Tom Burke- 35.06 pounds, $1,200.00 + $1,000.00 Big Bass Day 1
7th Place: John Myers and Reggie Bush-34.72 pounds, $1,150.00
8th Place: Tony Davis and Mike Davis- 33.71 pounds, $1,100.00
9th Place: Bryant Allen and Dempsey Allen- 33.44 pounds, $1,050.00
10th Place: Brandon Williams and Jesse Williams- 33.08 pounds, $1,000.00
Photos Credit: Cindy Joint, Reel Deal with Cindy
The Xtreme Bass Series is the largest grassroots bass tournament trail across Florida, featuring 12 divisions and 108 events throughout the season. Anglers can compete in close-to-home events on local bodies of water, keeping costs down and affording them the opportunity to compete in the end of season championship. Teams who compete in 7 of 9 events in one division, or 8 events in a combination of divisions will qualify for the end of season championship event. The 2023 Championship will be held November 2-4 on the Harris Chain of Lakes. Qualified teams will have a chance to fish for a new Blazer 625 Pro Elite powered by a 250 HP Mercury Pro XS package at the championship event. Teams who compete in 12 or more events during the season will qualify for a chance to win the Michael J. Blocher Memorial Award during the championship event. Membership is $50.00 per angler for the 2023 season, $120.00 entry per event. Xtreme Bass Series is proud to partner with Blazer Boats, Mercury Marine, Power-Pole, Fitzgerald Fishing, Bill Lewis Lures, and Catch Commander.
For complete details and updated information, visit www.XtremeBassSeries.com. For continuous updates, results, photos, information, tournament news, and more, follow Xtreme Bass Series social media on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok.
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