As the Jet Stream stalled and left the door to America’s weather propped open, the Polar Vortex swept down and caused record-setting low temperatures throughout North America. Sunny South Florida felt the effects. No snow, but cold weather is just that, and Florida bass are notorious for their aversion to cold temperatures.

So when 226 anglers blasted off across Lake Okeechobee this morning, most were ignored by the lake’s bountiful bass population.

After the first day of the first tournament of the newly re-named FLW Rayovac Series (formerly the EverStart Series) only one pro topped the 20-pound mark.

Keith Fels leads with 20-9. A couple of weeks ago that weight wouldn’t put anybody anywhere near the top of the leader baord, but as it is now, Fels enjoys a margin of more than a pound over Thomas Helton (19-8). Only 3 competitors are within 4 pounds of Fels.

But it’s a 3-day event.

How bad was it today? 17 pros zeroed. A whole slough of others had only a small fish or two to show for their efforts on the sleepy giant of a fish factory.

Temperatures will reach into the 80’s as winds switch to the south over the next 2 days. That should help.