Big Weights Expected For Bfl Gator Division Opener On Okeechobee Saturday
The Walmart BFL Gator Division will kick off the FLW Bass Fishing League year Saturday on Lake Okeechobee with a full field of 200 boats and predictions of a 6-pound or better average to take first place.
“I’m not down there yet,” said Larry Hensley, who was experiencing very cold weather back in Kentucky early in the week, “but, from what I have heard so far fishing is very good on Lake Okeechobee right now.”
So good, in fact, that Hensley said it is taking 26-27 pounds to win a tournament on the Big-O right now.
“I think it will take more than that Saturday,” he said. “Last year it took 32 pounds to win and I fully expect a 30-pound sack to win it this year.”
Not only does the Gator Division tournament kick off the national BFL season Saturday, it kicks off a three weekend run for FLW tournaments on Okeechobee.
“We’ve got the first Gator Division tournament on Saturday and the following weekend EverStart will kick off the first tournament of that series on the north end of Okeechobee. Then the next weekend we will hold the second BFL Gator Division tournament on the lake. We are going to be quite busy down there the first three weeks of January.”
Hensley said he anticipates full participation in the Gator Division this year.
“One of the reasons it is going to be a good year in the Gator Division is that the regional will be fished at St. John’s. That is probably as good as it can get for the Gator Division, to go to St. Johns. We are looking for a good turnout and a big field for every tournament.”
With good weather expected for Saturday, anglers will likely find the bass very cooperative and big limits are expected to be brought to the scales. Techniques expected to produce for tournament anglers include sight-fishing, flipping plastics and jigs in mats and reeds and throwing moving baits like the Gambler Big EZ and Z-Man ChatterBait in the grass.
If a cold front moves in, the competitors will face a tougher challenge and punching big weights into thick cover will likely produce the winning weight.
The Gator Division schedule includes: Jan. 18, Lake Okeechobee; March 1, Lake Okeechobee; and May 17, Lake Toho; with the two-day final Sept. 20-21 on Lake Okeechobee.
Walmart BFL Gator Division
Saturday, Jan. 4, 2014
Lake Okeechobee
Roland & Mary Ann Martin’s Marina
Clewiston, Fla.
