The U.S.A. Bassin National Tournament Fishing Trail features divisions of the Ranger Team Trail across the nation, with 6 divisions in the state of Florida. This season, the Central Florida Division held it’s own Regional event for the first time. The event took place November 29th-30th on the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes, where 11 teams launched from Lake Toho.
The team of Jesse Tacoronte and George Lewis won the event with a 25.05-lb., 2-day total. “We had a few spots we found in practice, where the fish were relating to shell bars the running water,” explained Tacoronte.
Recent rains had caused water levels to rise, prompting the Army Corps of Engineers to release water from the upper lakes, via a lock system, in an effort to control flooding.
Erik Tilson and Steve Coleman show off part of their 2nd place bag.
“We caught probably 20 fish each day throwing S.O.B. Crankbaits and Carolina Rigs in the running water,” stated Tacoronte.
2014 Division Champions Erik Tilson and Steve Coleman finished in 2nd place by less than 1/2-pound. Their 2-day total weighed 24.50 pounds, and was anchored each day by the day’s Big Bass. Both days the duo weighed in a 4.40-lb. kicker to anchor their bags. Tilson and Coleman are no strangers to the Big Bass award, they weighed in the largest fish of the year, a 10.60-lb. giant, during the first event of the 2014 season.
“We caught all our fish working weightless flukes very slowly through scattered milfoil and hydrilla in Kissimmee,” stated Tilson. “It was slow, but we were catching upwards of 20 fish a day.”
Rich Patterson and Dave Smith finished just behind Tilson and Coleman. Patterson and Smith weighed in 24.00 pounds over 2 days of competition to finish in 3rd place.
Here is the final standings:
The Central Florida Division begins a new season on February 15th on Lake Toho. More information on this event can be found on the Event Calendar.
Photos: Rachel Tilson
