What’s at stake: $324,650 in cash and merchandise to the top 60 pro anglers. Co-anglers will compete for $68,800 in prizes.
The Pros Said It
“I’ve done well in the past here so I feel good going in, but it is pretty tough right now. The lake is all muddied up and finding those big fish is going to be a challenge, but catching a limit shouldn’t be a problem.” - 2006 CITGO Bassmaster Elite Series angler Terry Scroggins, 37, Palatka, Fla.
“I’m trying to stay away from the congested areas like Moonshine Bay, but I may have no choice, because the water is very dirty everywhere else.” - 2006 CITGO Bassmaster Elite Series angler Terry Segraves, 57, Kissimmee, Fla.
“The lake is actually fishing pretty well right now. It shouldn’t be a problem catching a limit for most of these anglers; the main problem is getting the good-sized fish.” - Mark Rizk, 42, Arab, Ala.
“You can find some clear water out here, but the trick is finding clear water where no one else is. I do see a lot of limits weighed in and the way to distinguish yourself is to flip and catch a big one.” - 2006 CITGO Bassmaster Elite Series angler Mark Rogers, 33, Naples, Fla.
The Strategy
Scroggins: Scroggins will concentrate on Moonshine Bay on the main lake. The water is relatively clear in this area and spinnerbaits and chatterbaits are two of the more effective strategies, he said.
Segraves: If it’s windy, Segraves will stick with Rat-L-Traps and chatterbaits. If the weather is calm, he will throw soft plastics and senkos.
Rizk: He has a variety of spots along the south and north ends of the massive fishery. He’s not committing to just one bait and will change it up until he finds something the fish will bite.
Rogers: Rogers will throw a variety of top-water baits and flip in search of the big fish. Like much of the field, he has located clear water that he likes in the Moonshine Bay area.
Location and Field CITGO Bassmaster Southern Tour Lake Okeechobee Okeechobee, Fla. Jan. 26-28
Field Cut to 50 after Day 2
Launch Okee-Tantie Campground & Marina/C. Scott Driver Ramp 10430 Hwy. 78 W. Okeechobee, Fla. 34972
Weigh-in Okee-Tantie Campground & Marina/C. Scott Driver Ramp 10430 Hwy. 78 W. Okeechobee, Fla. 34972
Background
Previous BASS events
2004, CITGO Bassmaster Open
2003, CITGO Bassmaster Open
2003, CITGO Bassmaster Tour
2001, BASS Invitational
2000, BASS Invitational
1999, BASS Top 150
1998, BASS Invitational
1991, BASS Invitational
1990, BASS Invitational
1988, BASS Top 100
1987, BASS Top 100
1986, BASS Invitational
1986, BASS Invitational
1985, BASS Invitational
1984, BASS Invitational
1982, BASS Invitational
1980, BASS Invitational
Previous winners on lake
65-14, Tim Horton, 2004
61-12, J.T. Kenney, 2003
62-2, Terry Scroggins, 2003
44-4, Gregory S. Maclean, 2001
37-11, Randy Yager, 2000
22-3, Kevin Mercer, 1999
55-10, Buck Durrance, 1998
37-5, Roland Martin, 1991
53-5, Gary Klein, 1990
53-6, Paul Elias, 1988
60-9, Ron Shuffield, 1987
45-8, Charles Murphy, 1986
50-3, Russ Bringger, 1986
57-1, Rick Clunn, 1985
56-9, Charlie Ingram, 1984
57-0, Ron Shearer, 1982
48-2, Roland Martin, 1980
Heaviest winning bag 65-14, Tim Horton, 2004
Lowest winning bag 22-3, Kevin Mercer, 1999
Weather Temperature 64 degrees
Lake level 15.31 ft. above mean sea level
Local sponsors: Okeechobee County Tourism Developmental Council
Sponsors of the Bassmaster Northern and Southern Tours include CITGO Petroleum Corp., Toyota, Busch Beer, Purolator, Triton Boats, Mercury Marine, Berkley, Lowrance Electronics and MotorGuide.
BASS is the worldwide authority on bass fishing, sanctioning more than 20,000 events through the BASS Federation annually. Guided by its mission to serve all fishing fans, BASS sets the standard for credibility, professionalism, sportsmanship and conservation, as it has for nearly 40 years.
BASS stages bass fishing tournaments for every skill level and culminates with the CITGO Bassmaster Classic. Through its clubs, youth programs, aquatic resource advocacy, magazine publishing and multimedia platforms, BASS offers the industry's widest array of services and support to its nearly 550,000 members. The organization is headquartered in Celebration, Fla.
For more information, contact BASS Communications at (407) 566-2208 or visit www.bassmaster.com.
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