The Lake Wales Po Boys ended their 2014/2015 season with a 2-day club championship held the weekend of March 21st. The Po Boys put a little twist to the final event of the season, competing on a different body of water each day of competition. Day 1 of the EC Smith Classic was held on Lake Kissimmee, where Joey Smith and Jason Eldridge found themselves leading the derby. Their 27.02-pound tournament leading limit was anchored by the largest bass weighed for the day, a 10.83-pound giant. Buddy Mongiovi and Justin Brown sat in second place, weighing a 25.44-pound total. An 8.06-pound lunker aided the teams weight for the day. Brian Hutto and Keith Hadden found themselves in third place, weighing a 24.63-pound total. An 8.72-pound Trophy Catch quality fish assisted in their efforts.
Rounding out the Top 5 on day 1:
4th: Lonnie Simonds and David Simonds-17.26 pounds
5th: Everett Perkins and Scott Lindstam-15.66 pounds
Typically in a multi-day tournament, anglers will attempt to manage their fish, in an effort to maintain consistent weights over the course of the tournament. This wouldn’t apply for the 22 teams competing in the Lake Wales Po Boys EC Smith Classic, as day 2 found the anglers at Lake Weohyakapka (Lake Walk-in-Water). The fish bowl shaped lake that produced a 15 pound, 8 ounce monster back in February, as well as what was reported to be a second 15 pound class bass shortly after, can fish rather tough compared to other area lakes.
Brian Hutto and Keith Hadden wouldn’t let the change in venue, or the tougher bite stop them from getting the better of the field on day 2. The team hauled a 15.68-pound, 5 bass limit to finish atop the leaderboard on the second day of competition. Steve Coleman and Jason Brewer landed in second place with a 14.40-pound limit. The 7.65-pounder that anchored their bag was the largest bass weighed for the day. Ricky Helms and John Atkinson finished in third place, weighing an 11.34-pound bag.
Rounding out the Top 5 on day 2:
4th: Dave Harrod and Joe McGuire-11.03 pounds
5th: Lonnie Simonds and David Simonds: 9.10 pounds
After the totals for both days were combined, it would be Brian Hutto and Keith Hadden who would walk away as champions. Over two days of competition, on two different bodies of water, the team totaled 40.31 pounds to claim the title. Slipping down to second place, after taking the lead on day 1, was Joey Smith and Jason Eldridge. Smith and Eldridge weighed 35.23 pounds over the course of the weekend. Buddy Mongiovi and Justin Brown hauled in 31.13 pounds during the EC Smith Classic to finish in third place. Steve Coleman and Jason Brewer stayed consistent, and made the jump from seventh place to fourth overall by weighing 28.89 pounds over two days. Lonnie and David Simonds secured the final spot in the Top 5, weighing 26.36 pounds for the weekend.
