One week after the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Southern Open at Lake Toho, it’s industry counterpart, the Rayovac FLW Series, is set to hold a record breaking field on Lake Okeechobee. The 250 boat field is scheduled to launch from Roland and Mary Ann Martin’s Marina and Resort this morning at 7 a.m. to battle it out over 3 days of competition, where last year’s winner Keith Fels looks to defend his title.
With a surface area of 730 square miles, Lake Okeechobee is the largest lake in the southeastern United States. As big as the lake is, don’t be surprised to hear reports from the event that the majority of the field is focusing on the same general areas. This could cause many on the water frustrations as anglers try to work their way around one another. 90 percent of the fish are in 10 percent of the water, right? At least that’s how the old saying goes.
Even so, the water levels on the Big O are about a foot higher than normal elevations, causing flooding to new grass fields. “It’s setting up to be a bedding tournament,” said local pro Jared McMillan in a pre-tournament interview with FLW Outdoors. “We had a big wave come in last night, and the big females are coming in as we speak.”
High winds and boat traffic have dirtied up the usually clean water, which may make it hard to boat some otherwise easy to catch spawning fish. Earlier this month, Benny Townend brought a 27-9, 5 bass limit to the scales to claim his first career FLW win at the first BFL of the season held on Lake Okeechobee. He focused on open pockets of grass to boat his winning limit, which included a 10-2 giant. Anglers this weekend will need to average 20 pounds a day to have a shot at the title according to McMillan.
Weigh-in for Thursday and Friday will begin at 3 p.m. at Roland and Mary Ann Martin’s Marina and Resort. Saturday’s final weigh-in will begin at 4 p.m., and will take place at the Clewiston Walmart off Sugarland Highway. The winning angler in the Pro division will be awarded $40,000.00. If that angler is also Ranger Cup qualified, they will win a Ranger Z518C with a 200 HP outboard. The winning Co-Angler will be awarded a Ranger Z117 with a 90 HP outboard, and an additional $5,000.00 if they are Ranger Cup qualified.
Photo: FLW Outdoors, Kyle Wood
