Day 2 FLW CAncelled | Search for Missing Anglers

Post Reply
WB Staff
Posts: 12504
Joined: Thu Jan 26, 2012 10:56 am

Day 2 FLW CAncelled | Search for Missing Anglers

Post by WB Staff »

Angler missing from fishing tournament on Lake Okeechobee

search was taking place Friday on Lake Okeechobee after one man was rescued and his co-angler in a fishing tournament remained missing.

According to Fishing League Worldwide, Bill Kisiah was rescued Thursday night. He is the fishing partner of missing angler Nik Kayler of Apopka.
Both men are veteran tournament fisherman and were taking part in the Costa Fishing League Worldwide on Lake Okeechobee.

Concerns surfaced Thursday evening when the two men did not return to a designated weigh-in area at C. Scott Driver Park. Kisiah was found alive about 11 p.m. Thursday, according to fishing league officials.

More info and vid http://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/palm- ... story.html

From Thomas Forester
5 hours ago

Search crews looking for this man Nik Kayler on Lake Okeechobee. He and another fisherman went missing on the lake competing in a fishing contest. Kayler’s partner was found last night.
https://twitter.com/Thomas_Forester?ref ... story.html
Attachments
DSxkdCiWAAAKZOS.jpg
WB Staff
Posts: 12504
Joined: Thu Jan 26, 2012 10:56 am

Re: Day 2 FLW CAncelled | Search for Missing Anglers | FLW Statement with Updates

Post by WB Staff »

FLW Statements with Updates

*UPDATE 1:10 a.m.*

To assist with the ongoing search efforts for co-angler Nik Kayler, Fishing League Worldwide (FLW) has canceled Friday’s day two of competition.

FLW confirmed Thursday night that a boat with two anglers that was competing in the Costa FLW Series event on Lake Okeechobee did not check in at the designated weigh-in location Thursday at C. Scott Driver Park in Okeechobee, Florida.

Kisiah was found alive Thursday night around 11 p.m. local time. Kayler has not yet been located and the search remains ongoing.



*UPDATE 11:15 p.m.*

The boater Bill Kisiah has been located alive. The search is continuing for co-angler Nik Kayler. Additional news will be posted as it is available.



Original Statement:

Fishing League Worldwide (FLW) regrets to confirm that a boat with two anglers that was competing today [Thursday] in the Costa FLW Series event on Lake Okeechobee did not check in at the designated weigh-in location at C. Scott Driver Park in Okeechobee, Fla., and has not yet been located.

The boat belonged to pro William (Bill) Kisiah of Slidell, La., and co-angler Nik Kayler of Apopka, Fla. The boat that the anglers were competing in is a dark-colored Ranger Z521 with a red Evinrude G2 outboard. It is believed that the boaters had planned to travel to the South Bay area from the north end of the lake.

Kisiah is a nine-year veteran boater of FLW Series competition, while Kayler has fished in 61 previous FLW events as a co-angler.

At this time, search and rescue operations are being conducted under the guidance of the Okeechobee County Sheriff's Department, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the U.S. Coast Guard. FLW is assisting the search efforts.

FLW will release further information as soon as it becomes available. Updated information will also be posted on the FLW website, flwfishing.com.
WB Staff
Posts: 12504
Joined: Thu Jan 26, 2012 10:56 am

Re: Day 2 FLW CAncelled | Search for Missing Anglers

Post by WB Staff »

From Power Pole
Power-Pole Total Boat Control


A statement from FLW was released late last night confirming that a boat had gone missing in the Costa FLW event on Lake Okeechobee. In the night, the search teams located the boat and found pro Bill Kisiah. He has been transported and is in recovery.

As for his co-angle Nik Kayler, the search continues.

All of us here at Power-Pole personally feel the impact of this event. Nik Kayler was arguably one of the best co-anglers in our home state of Florida. Many of our team here know him personally and are impacted by this news. We will continue to keep Nik and his family in our thoughts and prayers.
WB Staff
Posts: 12504
Joined: Thu Jan 26, 2012 10:56 am

Re: Day 2 FLW CAncelled | Search for Missing Anglers

Post by WB Staff »

Video of Anglers Boat Found
https://www.facebook.com/gabriel.t.arri ... 909330257/
From Gabriel Trumpet Arrington
Y’all need to pray for
The co angler who’s been in the water since 7:30 this morning and has yet to be found.
The boater is at the hospital and we’re off the lake , I wrecked the bottom of my boat and my prop so we had to load the boat and and stop searching.
WB Staff
Posts: 12504
Joined: Thu Jan 26, 2012 10:56 am

Re: Day 2 FLW CAncelled | Search for Missing Anglers

Post by WB Staff »

Boaters' vessel found crashed near Pahokee

WPTV Channel 5 Video Update
https://www.wptv.com/news/state/one-fis ... okeechobee
WB Staff
Posts: 12504
Joined: Thu Jan 26, 2012 10:56 am

Re: Day 2 FLW CAncelled | Search for Missing Anglers

Post by WB Staff »

*UPDATE 11:45 a.m. Friday*

In order to concentrate all efforts on the ongoing search for co-angler Nik Kayler, FLW officials have decided to cancel the remaining competition day at the Costa FLW Series tournament on Lake Okeechobee.

At this time, air search and recovery operations are still being conducted under the guidance of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and local authorities. FLW is assisting the search operations.

Final tournament standings will be determined by day one of competition.
Post Reply