Stafford, Rucker make long run pay off

The Performance Bass Anglers have been making their way across Central Florida lake all season, the most recent being Lake Toho. The seventh event of the season saw 17 competing teams, all knowing they would need to find a solid bite to have a chance at winning.

Kyle Stafford and Blaze Rucker felt their chances were better on Lake Kissimmee, so they decided to lock out of Toho to make the long run south. The trip paid off as they carried a 16.32-pound, five-bass limit back to Big Toho Marina in time for the 1:00 weigh-in. The duo won the event by more than two pounds, thanks in part to the 6.79-pound kicker that anchored their bag.

Rob and Dalton Vanhorn only boated two keepers, but they were a far cry from being considered dinks. The Vanhorn’s weighed a 14.21-pound bag on two fish, the largest being 7.30 pounds, to finish in second place. Robert Weeks and Cody Holley boated a 13.26-pound, five-bass limit to finish in third place. John Gornham and Craig Hanson weighed a 12.58-pound bag to finish in fourth place, followed by Joe Berling and Ted Whelan in fifth place with 8.67 pounds.

Charles Huffstutler and Ken Romberger boated the tournament’s Big Bass, a 7.71-pounder.

Members of the Performance Bass Anglers will compete at Lake Reedy on August 15th for their 8th event of the season. Membership is closed, but more information can be found at performancebassanglers.com.

Photo: Kyle Stafford