The Xtreme Bass Series had quite the busy weekend March 14th and 15th. Over a 48-hour period, five divisional events took place across the state.
The Hillsborough River Division, a new venue for the 2015 season, was won by Marlon and Craig Crowder. The Crowder’s weighed a 19.82-pound, 5 bass limit to win the derby in the team’s first event of the season. Dickie Gillespie and Brian Divito finished in second place, weighing a 16.99-pound limit. Jeff Herndon and James Jones brought a 12.00-pound limit to the scales for a third place finish. Herndon and Jones anchored their bag with the day’s Big Bass, an even 8.00-pound lunker.
Ryan and Michael Hoover show off their catch from Lake Kissimmee.
The Kissimmee River Division saw Gary Niemi and Mike Moore rise to the top of the leaderboard. Their 20.35-pound, 5 bass limit was more than enough for the victory over the second place team of Tony Bartels and Tom Burk. Bartels and Burk weighed an 18.25-pound limit for the runner-up finish. Ryan and Michael Hoover caught a 17.25-pound limit to finish in third place. The duo also won the Big Bass pot with a 7.80-pounder.
David Simpson and Uby Rosell earned a win at the Johns Lake divisional tournament. Simpson and Rosell anchored their 10.47-pound winning limit with a 4.72-pound kicker. That fish won the team the Big Bass prize for the day. Jason Duffina and Juan Fair finished in second place with a 9.25-pound limit. Pete and Rob Roberson weighed an 8.25-pound limit to finish in third.
Junior Dice and Richard Chapman with their 26+ pound limit from the Suwannee River.
The anglers of the Suwannee River Division continue to show off the quality fishery the Suwannee is not well know for, when compared to larger bodies of water across the state. Junior Dice and Richard Chapman busted a 26.41-pound, 5 bass limit to finish well ahead of the competition. Dice and Chapman also won the Big Bass pot with the 6.35-pound kicker that anchored their bag. Almost 11-1/2 pounds behind was Chase Day and Kimrod Stephenson. Their second place limit weighed 14.95 pounds, and was anchored by a 4.92-pound kicker. Robby Ratliff and Checo Barnett earned a third place finish with a 12.23-pound bag.
Results from the Lake Rousseau divisional event were not available.
With 9 events in each division, anglers competing in Xtreme Bass Series events can qualify for the 2015 Championship at Lake Okeechobee, November 5-7, 2015. At this years championship, qualifying anglers will have the opportunity to fish for a brand new Blazer 595 Pro Elite, powered by a 200 HP outboard. To qualify, anglers must fish 7 of the 9 events in one division, or 8 events total from all divisions combined. Teams who finish in the Top 4 of their division will also be invited to compete in the 2016 Florida State Team Championship, where teams of anglers from various organizations across the state, will have the opportunity to compete for another Blazer 595 Pro Elite powered by a 200 HP outboard.
For more information on the Xtreme Bass Series, visit xbseries.com.
