George, Jones Win Southern Region Last Chance Qualifier

The Florida B.A.S.S. Nation Southern Region held their Last Chance Qualifier on Sept. 28^th on Lake Okeechobee. 6 boaters and 5 non-boaters tackled the Big O in a last chance effort at qualifying for the Florida B.A.S.S. Nation State Championship.

Fred George of the Bass Rattlers won the boater division with an 18.80-lb., 5 bass limit. He also weighed in the event’s largest fish, a 6.04-lb. kicker.

Rollin Willmon from the Fort Myers Bass Club finished in 2^nd with a 12.94-lb., 5 bass limit.

Tyler South, also from the Bass Rattlers, rounded out the Top 3, catching an 11.54-lb., 5 bass limit.

Co-angler Bryan Jones, representing the Lakeland Bassmasters, was paired up with Fred George for the event. He was able to put together a 12.51-lb., 5 bass limit to win the non-boater side.

“We fished a Gambler 10-inch black/blue worm on a shell bar the first part of the day,” stated Jones. “At noon when the sun got higher, and the temperature got hotter, we went flipping.”

Jones’ bait of choice was a Reaction Innovations Sweet Beaver in both black/blue and Okeechobee color patterns. “Once the sun got high, the fish went straight to the mats and to the reeds,” Jones stated.

Wes Jones from the Bass Rattlers finished in 2^nd place, weighing an 11.11-lb., 5 bass limit.

Mike LaPorta rounded out the Top 3, catching a 5.76-lb., 5 bass limit.

The Florida B.A.S.S. Nation State Championship these anglers were attempting to qualify for will take place this weekend, Oct. 18-19, out of Crystal Cove on the St. John’s River. More information on this event can be found on the Event Calendar.