The Kissimmee Bass Series is a trail formed on the basis of one principle, fun. That attribute couldn’t be replicated any better than through tournament director Charlie Wynperle. His enthusiasm towards anglers, and his gift of gab, has helped in the growth of the tournament series that has evolved since the days of the Accent Marine Trail. To add to the fun, the Kissimmee Bass Series hosted their two-day Spring Fling event April 25-26.
Kim Root holds up her 10.30-pound Big Bass
Day one saw a hoard of big bass come across the scales from many of the 56 competing teams, but the young team of Austin Schroeder and Cory Bahr stole the show with their 26.05-pound, five-bass limit. The duo anchored their day one catch with a 9.40-pound lunker. Richie Upchurch and Billy Leal were right on their heels, weighing a 25.65-pound, five-bass limit to finish the day in second place. They anchored their bag with a 9.05-pound lunker. John Stahl and Casey Gonzalez found themselves in third place, weighing a 22.40-pound, five-bass limit. Stahl and Gonzalez anchored their day one catch with a 9.55-pounder. Rounding out the Top 5 in fourth place was the team of Steve Lasky and John O’Ferrel as they weighed a 21.70-pound, five-bass limit. Bobby Wooten and Chad Stewart anchored their 21.40-pound, five-bass limit with a 9.45-pound lunker to finish in fifth.
Camp Mack’s own Kim Root teamed up with Jim Wirtz for the weekend’s festivities. Root landed the largest bass of the day, and her personal best, a 10.30-pound giant. That fish would end up being the heaviest bass weighed for the event. Dave Lepsic had a giant of his own. The 10.00-pound monster won the second Big Bass award for the day.
The winds blew hard on day two, gusting up to 30 mph, changing the pattern for some of the field. This appeared to be the case for the majority of the Top 5 from day one. Richie Upchurch and Billy Leal slipped down to fifth place, as they totaled 36.95 pounds for the weekend. Jeff and Jeremy Morgan weren’t planning on competing both days, but after being in contention on day one, they decided to give it a go on the final day. The decision paid off, as they earned a fourth place finish, weighing 37.90 pounds over two days. Dave Ochs and Travis Latham worked their way up the leaderboard to finish in third. Ochs and Latham weighed 38.80 pounds for the event. Wesley Wise and Clayton Stokes made a big move, thanks in part to the Big Bass for day two. Wise’s 9.65-pound lunker helped the team to a second place finish, and a 39.95-pound total. Jason Liggett weighed the day’s second Big Bass, an 8.95-pound Trophy Catch.
John Stahl and Casey Gonzalez were the only team within the Top 5 from day one to move up the standings, and they did so all the way to the top. Stahl and Gonzalez backed up their day one catch with another 18.10-pound bag, giving the duo 40.50 pounds over two days of competition.
The Kissimmee Bass Series holds their events at Camp Mack on the fourth Sunday of each month. The next event is scheduled for May 31st. More information can be found on the Event Calendar.
