Yentz Wins Shootout on Florida Chain of Lakes
 ATHENS, Ala. – Ron Yentz won the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Weekend Series, operated by American Bass Anglers, Florida Division 6 tournament, held Feb. 23, 2013, on the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes near Orlando.
Running out of Camp Mack Park in Lake Wales, Fla., to fish the 100,000-acre chain of lakes, the Fort Lauderdale angler caught five bass weighing 24.21 pounds for a 4.84-pound average. He anchored his bag with a monster 10.61-pound bucketmouth to also win the lunker battle. For the Boater Division victory, Yentz took home a check for $2,006 with a $205 bonus for the big bass.
“I fished on the south end of Lake Kissimmee with a swimming fluke,” Yentz explained. “I used up eight packs of those baits and caught about 40 fish. I didn’t lose any big fish, but did see some big ones that I couldn’t catch. That giant bass hit at about 10:45 a.m. It tried to rip the rod out of my hands. I thought it was an alligator at first.”
In second for the boaters, Jesus “Jesse” Tacoronte of Orlando found a five-bass tournament limit weighing 21.48 pounds. For the effort, he pocketed a check for $1,030.
“On the first cast, I caught a 5.5-pounder,” Tacoronte recalled. “On the third cast, I caught another 5.5-pounder and my co-angler caught one weighing nearly six pounds. Between us, we caught 27 keepers in an area that wasn’t 50 yards long.”
Levi A. Brown of Plant City caught five bass and finished with 20.87 pounds and third place. Fishing his first year as a boater, he went home with a check for $687.
“I caught all my fish on a Skinny Dipper on the eastern part of Lake Kissimmee,” Brown revealed. “I lost two 5-pounders first thing in the morning. There were a bunch of beds in the area, but I think the fish were roaming around.”
Bill Fugate of Kissimmee placed fourth among the boaters with five bass going 20.51 pounds. Wayne Yohn of Polk City followed with 19.98 pounds, including a 7.56-pound kicker.
 In the Co-Angler Division, Brian Stahl of Wesley Chapel found three keepers at 14.83 pounds for a 4.94-pound average. Fishing with Tacoronte, he anchored his bag with a 5.72-pounder and collected $1,005.
“We fished the north end of Lake Kissimmee most of the day,” Stahl said. “We caught fish all day. Everything was on top. I caught most of my fish on a Devil’s Horse. I lost one small fish, but it wouldn’t have helped me.”
In second for the co-anglers, Bernie G. Binn of Clearwater landed a three-bass division limit going 13.06 pounds. He capped his catch with a 6.56-pounder that won the co-angler big bass title. For the victory, Binn added $502 to his bank account with an extra $100 for the big bass.
“I caught the big fish at noon on a Konami soft jerkbait,” Binn said. “I caught about six fish and lost a bunch of fish.”
Lucky B. Wells of Winter Haven took third with three bass at 9.49 pounds. His biggest bass weighed 4.78 pounds, netting him $335.
“We fished North Cove with a junebug Skinny Dipper,” Wells said. “They were bedding everywhere. We culled most of the day. I lost a couple good fish that might have helped me.”
Eddie Scaturro of Orlando finished in fourth place with three bass for 9.41 pounds. Jeffrey Jolley of Winter Garden followed with three bass and 8.67 pounds, including one 5.34-pounder.
For more information on this tournament, call Billy Benedetti at (256) 230-5632 or call ABA at 256-232-0406. On line, see www.americanbassanglers.com.
About American Bass Anglers: The Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Weekend Series provides weekend anglers a professionally operated competitive tour with a path the world championship of bass fishing the Bassmaster Classic. American Bass Anglers commitment is to provide low cost, close to home tournaments for the weekend angler and at the same time offer each competitor an upward path for individual angler progression. For more information about American Bass Anglers and the American Fishing Tour, The Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Weekend Series or the American Couples Series, visit www.americanbassanglers.com.
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