The Xtreme Bass Series: Lake Kissimmee division held the ninth and final event of the 2015 season for the division on September 13th. Ryan Hoover and his father Michael had been in the hunt all season in search of a victory, and their persistence finally paid off.
The father and son team topped the field with an impressive 28.70-pound, five-bass limit. Anchoring their bag was an 8.15-pound TrophyCatch lunker, which earned the duo the Big Bass award as well.
“It was a grind all day,” stated Ryan. “Fishing through the heavy storms was key for us, instead of waiting it out.”
The Hoover’s caught their key fish by flipping Gambler baits around sparse cover.
Tom Burk and Tony Bartels with their 2nd place bag
Tony Bartels and Tom Burk finished the day in second place with a 23.80-pound, five-bass limit. Steve Coleman and Jason Danes secured a third place finish with a 20.25-pound bag. John Myers and John Myers III finished in fourth place, followed by Larry West and Jeff Leverette in fifth place with 18.50 pounds.
With the conclusion of the season also came the end of the divisional Team of the Year race. A mere five points separated first place from fourth, but David Crews and Troy Olivier would find themselves at the top of the standings. Darrell Cranor and Will Evans finished the year in second place. Billy and Michael Bechard ended the season in third place, followed by Tony Bartels and Tom Burk in fourth. These teams earned invitations to compete in the 2016 Florida State Team Championship being held at Lake Toho April 8-10, 2016 by finishing the season in the Top 4 in points.
The Xtreme Bass Series Championship is scheduled for November 5-7, 2015 at Lake Okeechobee. XBS members who have qualified via divisional tournaments will be competing for a Blazer 595 Pro Elite powered by a 200 HP Mercury Pro XS. Divisional points leaders will be competing against each other within the event, and the highest placing team of the divisional points champions will be crowned the 2015 Team of the Year.
For more information, visit www.xbseries.com.
To find out more about the 2016 Florida State Team Championship, visit www.fishfstc.com.
Main Photo: Ryan and Michael Hoover hold up their 28+ pound limit
