Florida South Returns to Lake Okeechobee
ATHENS, Ala. – The Florida South Division of the American Bass Anglers Open Series will return for the third event of the 2018 season March 24, 2018, on Lake Okeechobee in Okeechobee, FL.
The competitors will launch at Scott Driver Park, located at 10100 W Hwy 78, Okeechobee, FL 34974. Anglers may begin fishing at 7:15 a.m. or safe light. The weigh-in will begin at 3:15 p.m. Registration begins at 4 p.m. local time at Scott Driver Park with the tournament briefing to begin at 7:00 p.m. Friday evening. To register for this tournament, see click here
To enter, anglers fishing the Boater Division pay $200 with co-anglers paying $100. First place is guaranteed a minimum $5,000 first place for boaters. To learn more about the payout click here
Anglers fishing the Boater Division may weigh in up to five bass, each at least 12 inches long with an exemption permit available at registration. Co-anglers may weigh in up to three bass.
In addition to cash and prizes for top finishers, boater and co-angler competitors fishing this tournament and American Bass Anglers Open Series events throughout the season may also win contingency bonuses from such sponsors as Triton Boats, Mercury Outboards, MotorGuide, T-H Marine, and ABU Garcia. See the manufacturer web sites for specific details on how to qualify for these bonuses.
Going into the third event of the season the Angler Of The Year competition is heating up. There are two one-day events, and the two-day regional championship left to gain valuable points towards AOY. The points are close right now, and it is still anybody's to claim
Divisional top 10 in points
Place Name/Profile Events Fish Total Weight Big Bass Divisional Points Trevor Fitzgerald 2 10 42.58 7.19 497 2 Neil Nix 2 10 35.4 5.83 489 3 Gary Milicevic 2 10 39.1 6.23 487 4 Justin Morgan 2 10 31.35 0 480 5 Keith Carson 2 10 33.44 0 479 5 James Stephens III 2 10 34.13 5.69 479 7 Robert Branagh 2 10 32.36 5.17 477 7 Jett Big Jett Dexter 2 9 31.69 0 477 9 Raymond Trudeau 2 10 32.78 0 474 10 Joey Roberts 2 10 29.5 0 471 For the full divisional point standings click here
Tournament Information:
Limit: 5bass for Boaters / 3bass for Co-Anglers
Size Limit: 12" with a Signed Exemption Permits. Exemption Permits will be available at registration.Take Off: 7:15 am or Safe Light
Weigh In: 3:15pm
Time Zone: Eastern
Locking is allowed EXCEPT to Kissimmee River, Caloosahatchee Riverand Port St. Lucie Canal.Host Hotel
BEST WESTERN Lake Okeechobee
3975 Highway 441 S, Okeechobee, FL, 34974
863/357-7100Event Host:
Okeechobee County Tourism Department Council
499 Northwest 5th Avenue
Okeechobee FL 34972
Phone: (863) 763-3959
Fax: (863) 763-5785
Registration Location:
C. Scott Driver Park
10100 West Highway 78
Okeechobee FL 34972
Phone: (863) 763-3959
Fax: (863) 763-5785
Registration will be held on Friday, March 23, 2018, at the ABA Stage Trailer under the pavilion at Scott Driver Park from 4:00 pm to 6:30 pm with the meeting and partner pairing at 7:00 pm.Additional Information:
Host Dealers:
Lake Placid Marine
310 US 27 SOUTH
LAKE PLACID, FL 33852
863-465-2335
863-465-9550 (fax)
www.lakeplacidmarine.comLicense Information:
All anglers are required to have in their possession a valid FL Freshwater Fishing License. Florida licenses may be purchased by phone by calling (888) 347-4356.The best American Bass Anglers Open Series anglers from across the nation can advance to the no entry fee 2019 Ray Scott Championship to be held at Lake Eufaula in April 2019.
For more information on this tournament, call Billy Benedetti, tournament manager, at 256-230-5632 or ABA at 256-232-0406. Online, see www.abaopenseries.com
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 American Bass Anglers Open Series, the 100% Plus Team Tour, or the American Couples Series visit www.americanbassanglers.com.
ABA is sponsored by: Triton Boats, Mercury Marine, Best Western Hotels, Livingston Lures, GEICO, Garmin, Sirius XM Marine Weather, Power-Pole, T-H Marine, Hydrowave, Maui Jim, Abu Garcia, Berkley, MotorGuide, and Optima Batteries.
