Lake Okeechobee to host FLW Series Eastern Division opener

Forecast of warmer temperatures have anglers Optimistic

OKEECHOBEE, Fla. – The FLW Series will visit Lake Okeechobee in Okeechobee, Fla., Jan. 27-30 for the first stop of the Eastern Division circuit. Hosted by the Okeechobee County Tourism Development Council, the tournament will feature as many as 300 top bass anglers casting for top awards up to $50,000 in the Pro Division and a Ranger 177TR with a 90 horsepower engine in the Co-angler Division.

“Right now the forecast is for temperatures in the 70s for the next week or so, and if that holds up fish are going to go nuts,” said Glenn Browne of Ocala, Fla., who has won more than $499,000 in FLW Outdoors competition. “Last year it was pretty slow up until the tournament, but the last day of practice and on our off day it got really super nice and warm and the fish went haywire. I’ve got a feeling that’s what’s going to happen for us this year.”

Browne said anglers will be focusing on flipping mats during the tournament and popular bait choices will include the Gambler BB Cricket or Gambler Ugly Otter. If water temperatures rise into the upper 50s, Browne said soft plastic jerkbaits such as the Gambler Flapp’n Shad or Reaction Innovations’ Skinny Dipper may come into play.

Browne said the north end of the lake offers anglers ample opportunities to catch bass in areas such as Henry Creek, Taylor Creek and J&S (near J&S Fish Camp and Tavern). However, Browne said a few anglers will make their way south to areas such as Pelican Bay.

Anglers will take off from C. Scott Driver Park located at 10100 W. Hwy. 78 in Okeechobee at 7 a.m. each morning. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday weigh-ins will also be held at C. Scott Driver Park beginning at 3 p.m. Saturday’s final weigh-in will be held at the Gilbert Chevrolet Company located at 3550 Hwy. 441 S. in Okeechobee beginning at 4 p.m.

Fans will be treated to a Family Fun Zone at Gilbert Chevrolet Company prior to Saturday’s weigh-in from noon to 4 p.m. There will be a drawing for a $300 Cabela’s gift card and drawings for rod and reel combos will be held every 30 minutes during the event. Activities in the Family Fun Zone include a Ranger boat simulator and assorted fishing-themed games. All activities are free and open to the public.

In FLW Series competition, anglers are also vying for valuable points to qualify for the 2011 Forrest Wood Cup, the world championship of bass fishing.

Coverage of the Lake Okeechobee tournament will be broadcast in high-definition (HD) on VERSUS. “FLW Outdoors” will air May 2 from 12:30 to 1:30 ET. “FLW Outdoors,” hosted by Jason Harper, is broadcast to approximately 500 million households worldwide.

About FLW Outdoors

FLW Outdoors, named after Forrest L. Wood, the legendary founder of Ranger Boats, is the largest fishing tournament organization in the world offering anglers worldwide the opportunity to compete for millions over the course of 189 tournaments in 2010. FLW Outdoors has also taken fishing mainstream with FLW Fantasy Fishing awarding the largest prizes in the history of fantasy sports. FLW Outdoors memberships are available featuring numerous benefits including Player’s Advantage. For more information about FLW Outdoors and its tournaments, call (270) 252-1000. For more information about FLW Fantasy Fishing, visit FantasyFishing.com.