February 8th marked the start of the Xtreme Bass Series: Toho Division for the 2015 season. 19 teams set out from Kissimmee Lakefront Park with hopes of igniting the season with a win.
The 2014 Divisional Team of the Year Jeremy Smith and Jim Folks started the year off in the same way they ended the 2014 season, atop the leaderboard. Smith and Folks brought an 18.94-pound, 5 bass limit to the scales to begin their quest of becoming back-to-back Division Champions. Their bag was anchored by an 8.00-pound lunker, which won the Big Bass award as well.
“We just bounced around from spot to spot, flipping pads in spawning areas,” stated Folks.
It wasn’t until later in the day that they boated their kicker.
Rich Patterson and David Smith show off part of their 2nd place bag.
Rich Patterson and David Smith finished closely in second place, weighing an 18.80-pound limit. Patterson and Smith anchored their bag with a 6.50-pound kicker. Ken Lucas and Daniel Lanier rounded out the Top 3 with a 15.60-pound limit.
With 9 events in each division, anglers competing in XBS 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.
The next event for the XBS: Toho Division is scheduled for March 8th. The March event will launch from Red’s Fish Camp due to the FLW Tour launch at Kissimmee Lakefront Park the same morning. More information on this event can be found on the Event Calendar.
