Nix Wins $2300 in Florida South Event on Lake Okeechobee
Neil Nix of Okeechobee, FL won the Bass Pro Shops Open Series Florida South tournament held September 26th on Lake Okeechobee. Running out of Roland Martin Marina & Resort in Clewiston, FL Nix caught five bass weighing 26.45 pounds. For the Boater Division victory, Nix took home a check for $2300.
“I was fishing on the west side of the lake and I caught all my fish by 9:30am. I was throwing a Gambler Baits Fat Ace around bulrush and grass.” Nix said.
In second for the boaters, Jason Blair of West Palm Beach, FL landed a five-bass tournament limit going 19.76 pounds. He collected $1000 for his catch.
“I caught my fish around the monkey box area throwing a Bruiser Baits Big Stick in black/blue.” Blair said.
Gary Milicevic of Labelle, FL took third for the boaters with five bass going 18.59 pounds. He earned $700 for his catch.
“I caught a few of my fish today on a black/blue jig. I broke a big fish off on a spinnerbait that actually broke in half.” Milicevic said.
Finishing fourth, Colton Hester of Fort Pierce, FL landed a five-bass limit for 18.00 pounds including a big bass that weighed 7.81 pounds. He collected $600 for his catch and an additional $440 for the big bass award.
“I caught that big bass on a white chatterbait with an X Zone lures trailer just ripping through the grass around 12:30am today.” Hester said.
Nicholas Hoinig of Port Saint Lucie, FL rounded out the top five boaters with five bass at 17.93 pounds.
In the Co-Angler Division, Sam Goldberg of Boynton Beach, FL won with three bass going 13.45 pounds. He pocketed a check for $ 1050 for his win.
“I was fishing the west side of the lake throwing a white frog. I only caught four fish, so I culled once.” Goldberg said.
Taking second for the co-anglers, Craig Maxwell of Wesley Chapel, FL brought in a three-bass division limit weighing 12.09 pounds. He collected $500 for the finish.
“I caught my fish on the west side using my partner’s technique (Neil Nix).” Maxwell said. “
Brian Yeatts of Palm Springs, FL placed third among the co-anglers with three bass going 10.15 pounds. He earned $400 for his catch.
“I caught my first fish on a Carolina-rig on my third cast this morning. Also caught a few fish on jigs and worms. We also fished the west side of the lake as well.” Yeatts said.
In fourth place among the co-anglers, Jose Gallardo of Belle Glade, FL brought in three bass for 9.82 pounds. Steven Forssell of Lake Worth, FL finished in fifth place with three bass for 9.78 pounds.
The Co-Angler big bass award went to Omar Jaimes of Davenport, FL for a largemouth that weighed 6.02 pounds. He collected $215 for his catch.
“I caught that fish flipping reeds with a Senko around mid-day,” Jaimes said.
Slated for October 3rd & 4th, 2020, the next tournament will be the 2-Day Area Championship held on Lake Toho out of Lakefront Park in Kissimmee, FL. At the end of the season, the best anglers from across the nation advance the 2021 Ray Scott Championship to be held at Lake Chickamauga in April, 2021.
For more information on this tournament, call Billy Benedetti, tournament manager, at 256-230-5632 or ABA at 256-232-0406. On line, see www.americanbassanglers.com
About the American Bass Anglers - American Bass Anglers is committed to providing low cost, close to home tournaments for the weekend angler while offering an upward path for individual angler progression. For more information about American Bass Anglers and all their bass tournament trails visit www.americanbassanglers.com.
American Bass Anglers is sponsored by: Bass Pro Shops, Triton Boats, Nitro Boats, Tracker Boats, Mercury Marine, MotorGuide, Monster Energy Drinks, Garmin, T-H Marine, Abu Garcia, Berkley, Engel Coolers, Maui Jim and Power-Pole