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Kissimmee Chain Of Lakes To Host Kickoff Event For 2018 Bassmaster Opens
The first Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Eastern Open of 2018 heads to the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes out of Kissimmee, Fla., Feb. 1-3, where more than 400 anglers will compete for cash and prizes.
KISSIMMEE, Fla. — More than 400 competitors are expected to take part in the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Eastern Open scheduled for Feb. 1-3 on the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes, a popular Florida fishery that has hosted more than two dozen B.A.S.S. events during the 50-year history of the Bassmaster Tournament Trail.
Anglers will leave Big Toho Marina each day at 7 a.m. ET, with weigh-ins scheduled for the first two days back at Big Toho Marina at 3 p.m. The Day 3 championship weigh-in will be held at 4 p.m. at the Bass Pro Shops in Orlando.
Dustin Connell, a Bassmaster Elite Series pro who has enjoyed some success on the Kissimmee Chain, says this tournament could be different than past early-season events held there.
“Everybody kind of associates Florida with flipping,” said Connell, who is not competing in the Open. “But they’ve had a cold winter down there, and I really don’t think things are going to set up right for that.
“It’s been a while since it’s happened down there, but I think you’re going to see somebody fishing a trap or a ChatterBait to win. I think it’s going to be won on Lake Toho.”
By “trap,” Connell means a Bill Lewis Rat-L-Trap or a similar type of lipless crankbait. A ChatterBait is a bladed jig that makes an alluring vibrating motion as it moves through the water.
Motion, Connell says, will be the key.
“The bass probably won’t be on the beds yet,” he said. “I think it’ll be won with something moving. I think if somebody looks hard enough, they can find an offshore deal — and if you do that, you won’t just be plucking one fish here and there. You’ll be able to pull up at daylight and be on a wad of them.”
Finding such an area won’t be easy on the vast waters of the Kissimmee Chain. That’s why so many choose flipping when they visit the area — because shoreline cover is plentiful and easy to find.
But Connell thinks it’ll be worth the extra time and effort to find good offshore areas.
“It’s like a needle in a haystack,” he said. “But I love those places. Those fish down there really like current, and if you find one little shellbed or something that’s loaded with them, you can just whack ’em.”
This year’s Opens circuit will feature a vastly different format than the one that has sent anglers to the Bassmaster Elite Series and the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods in the past.
Instead of three divisions of three tournaments each, there will be two divisions — the Central and the Eastern — with four tournaments apiece.
For the first time since 2005, the season will conclude with an Opens Championship that will be held Oct. 18-20 at a location yet to be announced.
The Championship field will include the four winners of the Opens tournaments in each division and the Top 10 in the points races — not including the winners — for a total of 28 competitors vying for invitations to the 2019 Elite Series and Bassmaster Classic.
With the Championship qualification in mind, Connell says anglers who aren’t on a winning pattern may be able to salvage some points and a decent finish around the lily pads.
“One of the big things that is happening down there now is people are flipping a Senko and a jig around isolated pads,” Connell said, adding that he thinks it will take about 56 pounds to win the three-day event. “So, if I wasn’t on anything and I wanted to catch some, that’s what I would do.”
The Kissimmee Sports Commission will be hosting the event.
2018 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Series Title Sponsor: Bass Pro Shops
2018 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Series Platinum Sponsor: Toyota
2018 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Series Premier Sponsors: Abu Garcia, Berkley, Huk, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Power-Pole, Skeeter Boats, Triton Boats, Yamaha
2018 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Series Supporting Sponsors: Carhartt, Livingston Lures, Lowrance, Phoenix Boats, T-H Marine
About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S. is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport, providing cutting edge content on bass fishing whenever, wherever and however bass fishing fans want to use it. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the 500,000-member organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), television show (The Bassmasters on ESPN2), radio show (Bassmaster Radio), social media programs and events. For more than 50 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.
The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Bassmaster Elite Series, Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Open Series, Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation presented by Magellan Outdoors, Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Mossy Oak Fishing Bassmaster High School Series presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods, Bassmaster Team Championship and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods.
Molix USA Pro Staff Grows with Addition of James Elam
Pittsgrove, NJ, January 25, 2018. Professional Edge Fishing, Inc., a brand and angler representation company, announces Bassmaster Elite Series Angler, James Elam has joined Mike Iaconelli, Carl Jocumsen, and Justin Lucas on the Professional Edge Fishing, Inc. Molix Pro Staff Team.
Each angler on the Pro Staff Team will be working and promoting different aspects of the Italian based bait company’s line of tackle during the 2018 Elite Series season. Moving forward, they will also contribute to the development of innovative Molix USA products.
CEO of Molix, Stefano Sammarchi says, “This young and talented guy from Oklahoma is the right person to promote Molix and help grow our brand.” Impressed with his knowledge and enthusiasm, Sammarchi adds, “James has already been sending tips and suggestions to our production staff to create a line of special signature colors for the new 2018 season. We are looking forward to an exciting 2018 B.A.S.S. Elite Series!”
Elam, a six-time Bassmaster Elite Series qualifier says he is, “excited to team up with Molix for Hardbaits, Soft Baits, Wirebaits and Jigs.” Regarding the ability to contribute to growing the Molix USA brand, James, “is thrilled to have an opportunity to design lures and colors to add to an already unique line-up of top quality lures.”
ABOUT JAMES ELAM:
James Elam is a lifelong angler and six-time Bassmaster Elite Series qualifier. He first qualified for the 2013 Elite Series upon completing the Central Open Series in 2012. In 2017, Elam finished his regular season with three top 12 spots and nine top 50 finishes. He qualified for the 2018 Bassmaster Classic after finishing in 27th place in the Angler of the Year points race. James’s sponsors include Phoenix Boats, Mercury, McCain Hi-Performance Graphite Rods, Anglr, Simms, Daylight Donuts, Lowrance, and Seaguar. www.jameselamfishing.com
Follow James on Facebook @jameselamfishing, on Twitter @jameselamfishin and on Instagram @jameselamfishing
ABOUT MOLIX BRAND BAITS:
Molix is an Italian brand of professional fishing products and accessories. Their high-quality products are thanks to the continuous research and innovative design, created to suit the changing needs of modern fishermen. With input from anglers around the world, Molix develops products with their innovative, characteristic Italian style of products. www.molix.com
Follow Molix on Facebook @Molix-Think.Feel.Fish, on Twitter @Molixfishing and on Instagram @molix_fishing
ABOUT PROFESSIONAL EDGE FISHING:
Professional Edge Fishing, Inc. is a New Jersey based, full-service angler management, representation, and marketing company specializing in the outdoor sportfishing market. Professional Edge Fishing represents several of the top professional anglers in the fishing world, which include Michael Iaconelli, John Crews, Ish Monroe, and Cliff Crochet. Professional Edge Fishing also works with many product manufacturers by developing custom marketing campaigns designed to connect these companies directly with millions of grass roots fishing enthusiasts around the globe. For more information, visit http://ProfessionalEdgeFishing.com, contact Becky Iaconelli at (571) 215-4366, or info@professionaledgefishing.com. Follow on Facebook @professionaledgefishing
Schmitt Leads Day One of FLW Tour at Lake Okeechobee
CLEWISTON, Fla. (Jan. 25, 2018) – Maryland Pro Bryan Schmitt surprised even himself on Thursday. The six-year FLW Tour veteran caught a five-bass limit weighing 24 pounds, 11 ounces, to take the lead on opening day of the 2018 season at the FLW Tour at Lake Okeechobee. The event, presented by Evinrude, features a field of 376 of the world’s best bass-fishing professionals and co-anglers casting for top awards of up to $125,000 cash in the pro division and up to $25,000 cash in the co-angler division.
The weather conditions in central Florida were good Thursday despite a brisk north wind that prompted Tournament Director Bill Taylor to advise anglers to use the protected canals and rim ditches instead of trying to make a run across the middle of the lake. The main challenge for tournament anglers was finding clear water.
“This was not expected,” said Schmitt, a two-time Forrest Wood Cup qualifier who has 10 wins in FLW competition – all on rivers and tidal fisheries. “The final afternoon of practice I found one spot where I got a ton of little bites. I decided to go there today and I guess that they have grown up a little bit.”
Schmitt caught all of his bass – including a pair of 6-pound, 13-ounce largemouth – from his one spot, throwing just one bait.
“I hammered it, all day,” he said. “An hour and a half in, I changed the bait and started throwing something that I hadn’t thrown, but it’s a bait that I have a lot of confidence in. It was like a lightbulb went off and every one of my fish came on that bait.
“I really hope it doesn’t get dirty,” Schmitt continued. “Towards the end of the day the wind was starting to put mud in there and if it (wind) changes a hair, it’s done. The problem is that my only other place where I caught any fish in practice is so far away that I don’t know if I’ll have enough fuel to make it there. That’s a big problem.”
Schmitt credited his “lucky” co-angler Darlene Ferguson of Tehachapi, California, as another factor that contributed to his success.
“She caught two fish and she’s really good luck,” he went on to say. “She has a reputation among some of the pros as being really good luck to have in the boat with you.”
The top 10 pros after day one on Lake Okeechobee are:
1st: Bryan Schmitt, Deale, Md., five bass, 24-11
2nd: General Tire pro Mark Rose, West Memphis, Ark., five bass, 24-0
3rd: Christopher Brasher, Longview, Texas, five bass, 22-0
4th: Britt Myers, Clover, S.C., five bass, 21-8
5th: Tyler Stewart, West Monroe, La., five bass, 21-2
6th: Michael Neal, Dayton, Tenn., five bass, 21-0
7th: Power-Pole pro Cory Johnston, Cavan, Ontario, Canada, five bass, 20-11
8th: Brandon Mosley, Choctaw, Okla., five bass, 20-9
9th: Cameron Gautney, Muscle Shoals, Ala., five bass, 20-5
10th: Bradley Dortch, Atmore, Ala., five bass, 19-9
For a full list of results visit FLWFishing.com.
Johnston earned the day’s $500 Simms Big Bass award in the pro division thanks to an 8-pound, 4-ounce largemouth.
Overall there were 883 bass weighing 2,128 pounds, 8 ounces caught by 186 pros Thursday. The catch included 165 five-bass limits.
Pro competitors Andy Young of Mound, Minnesota, and William Campbell of Middlesboro, Kentucky, were involved in a boat collision on Lake Okeechobee Thursday afternoon. The collision happened while both anglers were running the lake and met at an intersection, with Campbell’s boat striking the port (left) side of Young’s boat. Young and his co-angler were ejected, but were able to return to their boat after Young’s mandatory ignition shutoff device disengaged the engine. Both boats were able to return to the launch site at the Clewiston Boat Basin and the accident is under investigation by the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission. Young decided to seek medical attention upon his return to the ramp. Young’s catch was weighed and he finished the day with five bass weighing 10 pounds even, good for 117th place, while Campbell was late in his return to check-in and did not weigh in.
Dustin Roberts of Dardanelle, Arkansas, leads the co-angler division with five bass weighing 23 pounds, 13 ounces, followed by Shawn Wildt of Bullard, Texas, who weighed five bass totaling 19-10, good for second place.
The top 10 co-anglers after day one on Lake Okeechobee are:
1st: Dustin Roberts, Dardanelle, Ark., five bass, 23-13
2nd: Shawn Wildt, Bullard, Texas, five bass, 19-10
3rd: Robby Frashier, Carrollton, Ga., five bass, 19-6
4th: Tyler Woolcott, Port Orange, Fla., five bass, 18-4
5th: Don Ortwein, Anderson, Ind., five bass, 15-13
6th: Jeffrey Mathews, Maitland, Fla., five bass, 15-12
7th: Josh Lockard, Somerset, Ky., five bass, 15-5
8th: Joel Willert, Lakeville, Minn., five bass, 15-2
9th: Todd Lee, Jasper, Ala., five bass, 14-10
10th: Jordan Thompkins, Myrtle Beach, S.C., five bass, 14-9
Roberts earned $250 for the Simms Big Bass award in the co-angler division with a 9-pound, 7-ounce largemouth.
Overall there were 643 bass weighing 1,242 pounds even caught by 172 co-anglers Thursday. The catch included 86 five-bass limits.
In FLW Tour competition, pros and co-anglers are randomly paired each day, with pros supplying the boat, controlling boat movement and competing against other pros. Co-anglers fish from the back deck against other co-anglers. The full field of 376 anglers competes in the two-day opening round. Co-angler competition concludes following Friday’s weigh-in, while the top 30 pros based on their two-day accumulated weight advance to Saturday. Only the top 10 pros continue competition Sunday, with the winner determined by the heaviest accumulated weight from the four days of competition.
The total purse for the FLW Tour at Lake Okeechobee presented by Evinrude is more than $930,000, including $10,000 through 60th place in the Pro division. The tournament is hosted by Roland & Mary Ann Martin’s Marina and Resort and the Hendry County Tourism Development Council.
Throughout the season, anglers are also vying for valuable points in hopes of qualifying for the 2018 Forrest Wood Cup, the world championship of professional bass fishing. The 2018 Forrest Wood Cup will be on Lake Ouachita in Hot Springs, Arkansas, Aug. 10-12 and is hosted by the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism and Visit Hot Springs.
Anglers will take off at 7:30 a.m. EST each day from Roland & Mary Ann Martin’s Marina and Resort, located at 920 E. Del Monte, Ave., in Clewiston. Friday’s weigh-ins, Jan. 26, will be held at the resort beginning at 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday’s weigh-ins, Jan. 27-28, will also be held at the resort, but will begin at 4 p.m.
Prior to the weigh-ins Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 27-28, FLW will host a free Family Fishing Expo at Roland & Mary Ann Martin’s Marina and Resort from noon to 4 p.m. each day. The Expo is a chance for fishing fans to meet their favorite anglers, enjoy interactive games, activities and giveaways provided by FLW sponsors, and learn more about the sport of fishing and other outdoor activities.
Also for youth, the FLW Foundation’s Unified Fishing Derby will be held at the marina on Saturday, Jan. 27 from 9-11 a.m. The event is hosted by FLW Foundation pro Cody Kelley along with other FLW Tour anglers, and is free and open to anyone under the age of 18 and Special Olympics athletes. Rods and reels are available for use, but youth are encouraged to bring their own if they own one. The 1st and 2nd place anglers that catch the biggest fish will be recognized Saturday on the FLW Tour stage, just prior to the pros weighing in.
Television coverage of the FLW Tour at Lake Okeechobee presented by Evinrude will premiere in high-definition (HD) on NBC Sports Network (NBCSN) March 28 from Noon-1 p.m. EST. The Emmy-nominated “FLW” television show airs on NBCSN, the Pursuit Channel and the World Fishing Network and is broadcast to more than 564 million households worldwide.
For complete details and updated information visit FLWFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the sport’s top anglers on the FLW Tour on FLW’s social media outlets at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Snapchat.
About FLW
FLW is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, providing anglers of all skill levels the opportunity to compete for millions in prize money in 2018 across five tournament circuits. Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, with offices in Minneapolis, FLW and their partners conduct 286 bass-fishing tournaments annually around the world, including the United States, Canada, China, Italy, South Korea, Mexico, Portugal, South Africa and Spain. FLW tournament fishing can be seen on the Emmy-nominated “FLW” television show, broadcast to more than 564 million households worldwide, while FLW Bass Fishing magazine delivers cutting-edge tips from top pros. For more information visit FLWFishing.com and follow FLW at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Snapchat.
Louisiana Duo Hold Top Spot At College Series Central Tour
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Martens Lands Japan’s ZPI, Inc.
Leeds, Ala – Nine-time Bassmaster tournament winner Aaron Martens has a new sponsor for the 2018 season. Martens has joined forces with ZPI, Inc. of Japan: makers of high-end, aftermarket components for fishing reels. Martens, who is well-known for his attention to detail, has used ZPI products for the past several years. He discussed how the relationship bloomed from there saying, “Someone gave me a bottle of their F-Zero reel lubricant a few years back. It was the best reel lubricant I have ever used. I sent Lesley (Martens’ wife) on a mission to find more for me. Since then, I have used the F-Zero oil in all my reels. I have added several other ZPI products to my reels as well. ZPI products can make any reel better and not just by a little. I am excited to share knowledge of their products with anglers who want to get the most out of their equipment in terms of product life and improved performance.”
Tsuyoshi Kato, CEO of ZPI, Inc. saw this as an opportunity to gain exposure in the U.S. Market and has joined forces with Martens. Kato said, “In 2017, several Bassmaster Elite Series anglers ‘unofficially’ had their sponsor’s reels tuned by ZPI. For 2018, we ‘officially’ have our products being used in Bassmaster Elite Series events and we accomplished an amazing partnership with Mr. Aaron Martens, the legend, and three-time Bassmaster Elite Series Angler of the Year.”
More About ZPI, Inc
Tsuyoshi Kato has utilized his experience building parts for motor vehicle racing. His understanding of the development of high performance products has resulted in many innovations within the fishing industry. ZPI, Inc touts the development of the world’s first wrought magnesium spool in addition to magnesium allow spools, and light-weight handles including the first carbon handle. ZPI has been in business since 2004. For more information visit www.ZPI-Japan.com.