Tennessee pro Jason Lambert took the lead during what could surely be described as a “Power-Pole Day” in Friday’s round of the Costa FLW Series tournament on Lake Okeechobee.

As Lambert stepped to the scale to conclude Saturday’s final weigh in the winds had long since laid. His competition was now a man. Fellow FLW Tour pro Glenn Browne had given a characteristically strong performance on a familiar fishery. Lambert would need 11 pounds, 4 ounces to take the trophy, the cash and a fully-rigged Ranger boat package.

Normally, 11-4 would be a poor showing on Okeechobee but the week featured a cold front and drastically different conditions each day of the event.

A spent Lambert was ready to find out his fate, “I’m tired. I’ve been out here for 8 days and I don’t flip like these guys – I throw moving baits.”

Lambert’s moving baits produced a 3^rd consecutive 5-fish limit that clocked-in at 12 pounds, 12 ounces, featured one big kicker fish, and made him a champion.

“When you only catch 12 pounds on the last day you’re not supposed to win, but when it’s your time to win, it’s your time to win,” said Lambert who finished with a total of 44-12.

Lambert worked one large area that contained a few sweet spots with 3 different lures. We’ll learn more about that as he divulges the details, bearing in mind that he may play it close to the vest considering he has his eye on a repeat performance at the FLW Tour event on Okeechobee that begins February 4^th out of Roland Martin’s Marina in Clewiston.

Browne piled-up 43 pounds 4 ounces of Okeechobee bass by doing what he usually does. He flipped.

“That’s all I did,” said Browne, adding that he did so with an ounce-and-a-half Reins Punch Shot which gives anglers the option to add a punch skirt, a popular addition on Okeechobee. A Warrior Quiver Bug followed the tungsten weight, its black/blue color combo perfect for the dark conditions under mats where big bass live.

Browne hauled bass out of those mats with a Lew’s 7’11” rod and Lew’s new Speed Line – 65lb braid.

Of his practice time and resulting game plan, Browne said “I messed around down on the south end and counted on the weather to put the fish where I wanted them.”

Considering those long runs to the south end, Browne was especially happy with the performance of his Evinrude G2, including the money he saved on oil. “If you haven’t experienced the G2, go to Toho Marine and take a test ride.”

Joe Kremer is a highly respected local who had a solid tournament. He placed 3^rd with 40-14.

“I flipped so much I wore the skin off my thumb,” said Kremer. He used a Bitters Bait Muskrat in a blue and silver color pattern. “I couldn’t get bit on anything else.”

How slow was the bite this week? Four of today’s Top 10 contestants did not have 15 fish to show for their efforts over 3 days. Numbers like that indicate how important it is to get a couple of those big bites each day.

At least half of today’s field was on a strict flippin’ regiment this week. Among those who defected are, of course Lambert, and local Justin Morgan who rotated 3 colors of a Spro Poppin’ Frog along one favorite stretch of a canal.

Pete Cherkas lead after Day 1 before settling into 6^th place today. He whacked a 20-pound sack by about 10 AM on that first morning with a rattling crankbait made by Sebile. By today he had slowed his roll to the point that he was tossing a Senko.

When Steve ‘Boogie’ Brown wasn’t using lures made by Tightlines UV he was winding a Strike King Swinging Swim Jig.

Jimmy Brewer admitted that he wanted to buck the flippin’ trend but . . . “I didn’t want to flip. I had to. Nine pounds wouldn’t help you here.”

Here’s how they finished:

1        JASON LAMBERT         32-0 (10)     12-12 (5)     44-12 (15)  

2        GLENN BROWNE         30-15 (10)   12-5 (5)       43-4 (15)     1-8

3        JOSEPH KREMER          28-1 (10)     12-13 (5)     40-14 (15)   3-14

4        BRYAN HONNERLAW 29-14 (10)   9-2 (5)         39-0 (15)     5-12

5        JUSTIN MORGAN         26-11 (7)     10-5 (4)       37-0 (11)     7-12

6        PETER CHERKAS          27-2 (10)     9-1 (5)         36-3 (15)     8-9

7        JIMMY BREWER 26-13 (10)   8-12 (5)       35-9 (15)     9-3

8        STEVE BOOGIE BROWN       29-7 (10)     5-0 (3)         34-7 (13)          10-5

9        PAT FISHER        27-8 (10)     3-12 (3)       31-4 (13)     13-8

10      COLE BAILEY     26-11 (8)     4-1 (2)         30-12 (10)   14-0