Jasper Transmissions Pro Chad Morgenthaler is no stranger to fishing in Florida. Prior to the start of the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Southern Open at Lake Toho, the Coulterville, IL angler had finished in the Top 50 a total of 50 times out of 78 tournaments. 11 of those 50 Top 50’s came from Florida waters. His only career victory came via the 2013 Bassmaster Classic Wild Card on Lake Okeechobee. Morgenthaler was the last angler to qualify for the 2014 Bassmaster Classic that was held on Lake Guntersville. He doesn’t need to worry about trying to re-qualify for the remainder of this season, he secured the 1st spot in the 2016 Bassmaster Classic when he locked down his 2nd career win at Lake Toho today.
Morgenthaler launched on the final day of competition sitting a little more than 8 pounds from the lead. He sat in 9th place prior to the start of weigh-in with a 30-4 total over 2 days of competition. He boated his best limit of the event, and the heaviest on day 3, by flipping a Missile Baits Baby D-Bomb. His 22-3 limit was anchored by the Carhartt day 3 Big Bass, a 7-5 Kissimmee Chain kicker. Morgenthaler finished the event with a 52-7, 3 day total.
Bobby Lane wasn’t able to find the big bite he found on day 2. He finished in 2nd place with 48-13.
Todd Auten slipped down one spot to 3rd, catching 48-1 over 3 days of competition.
Rounding out the Top 5 were Gerald Swindle (46-9), and day 2 leader Brandon McMillian (46-4).
The rest of the Top 12:
6th: Kelley Jaye, 42-8
7th: Andrew Slegona, 41-3
8th: Ed Loughran, 40-6
9th: Trevor Fitzgerald, 40-3
10th: Brock Mosley, 39-13
11th: Garrett Rocamora, 38-2
Co-angler Champion Alan Agnoli hoists his 1st place trophy. He caught 32-3 for the tournament.
12th: Brad Knight, 35-15
Chiefland, Fla.’s Alan Agnoli ran away with the victory in the Co-angler division. Agnoli caught 32-3 over 3 days of competition to win a new Nitro Bass Boat valued at $25,000.00. Robbie Anderson finished in 2nd place (22-11), Terry Law took 3rd (22-3), Steven Jarrett finished 4th (21-7), Larry Mullikin took 5th (21-5).
The rest of the Top 12 Co-anglers:
6th: Daniel Lanier, 20-8
7th: Jeffrey Worth, 19-6
8th: Greg Crumpton, 19-3
9th: Amy Leitch, 17-8
10th: Linda Higginbotham, 17-5
11th: Scott Hughes, 14-7
12th: Eulon Lee, 13-9
Southern Open Pro’s will have another chance to compete for the 2016 Bassmaster Classic, April 13-15 on the Alabama River in Pratville, Alabama.
Photos: Shaye Baker, BASS
