Kenney catapults into first place at $550,000 FLW tourney on Lake Okeechobee

J.T. Kenney of Frostburg, Md., holds up part of his 21-pound, 10-ounce catch during weigh-in. Kenney was in first place in the Pro Division heading into the finals. Photo by Gary Mortenson. Angler: Jt Kenney.

January 25, 2002 • Gary Mortenson • Archives

Setina lands monster largemouth to grab runner-up position

CLEWISTON, Fla. – Everyone knew the big fish were out there. However, few thought it would take until the third day of competition on Lake Okeechobee to finally see them. But that’s exactly what happened. And to be sure, no one benefited more from the latest development than J.T. Kenney of Frostburgh, Md.

On the strength of a whopping 21-pound, 10-ounce catch, Kenney stormed past the rest of the pro field and ensured that he would head into the finals atop the FLW leaderboard. Not surprisingly, Kenney was ecstatic with his performance.

“I really had a great day,” said Kenney. “I’m pretty excited. I feel great. I’m ready to go back out there right now.”

Kenney, who had been fishing the north shore of Lake Okeechobee throughout the tournament, returned to his favorite spot today. But while his prime fishing location had been productive in the past, he didn’t count on the numbers and size of the behemoth bass waiting to greet him.

“When I pulled into my spot today, the big fish had started to move in,” said Kenney, who has relied primarily on his trusty Gambler crawdad to snare his catch throughout the tournament. “I expected to catch some quality fish there. But I never expected to catch anything THAT big.”

Kenney was referring to the two, 7-pound largemuth bass that he pulled from the water shortly after noon. From there, it was smooth sailing into the finals.

“We probably caught about 35 keepers today,” said Kenney. “But it wasn’t until about 12:00 p.m. when the big fish starting biting. It was just a great day.”

Although Kenney said he’s not sure if he can duplicate his day-three performance in the finals, he says he won’t be changing his strategy tomorrow.

“I’m not sure I’ll be able to bring in 21 pounds again, but I’m not changing a thing in the finals,” he said. “I’m going back to that same area tomorrow and I’m not leaving.”

Setina snares second place with humongous largemouth

Joe Don Setina knew he had a good fish on the line, however, he couldn’t be sure how big it was until he got in the boat. But when he finally did, he knew he had a winner.

“As soon as I saw the fish, I knew it was going to get me into the finals,” said Setina, of his 9-pound, 3-ounce largemouth. “It just brightened my whole world up.”

A four-year veteran of the FLW Tour and native of Pittsburgh, Texas, Setina said he could barely contain his enthusiasm after qualifying for his very first trip to the finals.

“I’m just on cloud nine right now,” said the 21-year-old angler. “My goal is to be the youngest fishermen to win an FLW tournament. Tomorrow, I’m going to give it my best shot and go for broke.”

Setina, who landed a total catch of 19 pounds, 14 ounces, said the key to his success was making sure that he kept a safe distance away from the fish.

“I’ve been making pretty long casts because the fish have been very spooky lately,” he said of his technique. “I just hope I can catch another big fish tomorrow.”

Like Kenney, Setina said he doesn’t plan on changing up his strategy for the finals.

“I’m going to do the same thing I’ve been doing all along. After all, that’s what got me here,” said Setina, who has fished tubebaits throughout the tournament, concentrating on the southern end of the lake. “I’ve got an area I’ve been fishing that’s about three football fields long. And the best part is that nobody else is fishing there. I’m all alone.”

Leuthner sets personal best

On route to a third-place finish in the semifinals, Jimmi Leuthner of Vernon, Vt., did something he had never done before – catch a bass weighing more than 8 pounds.

“It’s the biggest fish I’ve ever caught,” said Leuthner, of the 8-pound, 2-ounce bass that virtually assured him of making the final-round cut. “The bite was fantastic today. You can’t ask for more than that. I just hope I can keep this up tomorrow.”

Leuthner finished the day with a total catch weighing 15 pounds, 4 ounces.

Gary Klein of Weatherford, Texas, found himself in fourth place heading into the finals after landing a 13-pound, 3-ounce catch. However, Klein said he would probably have his work cut out for him tomorrow.

“I’m going to have to change water,” said Klein, who believes his current fishing spots have been exhausted. “I was really fortunate to make the top 10.”

Jay Yelas of Tyler, Texas, grabbed hold of the fifth qualifying spot after netting a 13-pound catch.

Best of the rest

Other anglers who managed to qualify for the finals were Jim Tutt (sixth place) of Longview, Texas, with a catch of 12 pounds; Keith Green (seventh) of Arkadelphia, Ark., with a catch of 11 pounds, 12 ounces; Sam Newby (eighth) of Pocola, Fla., with a catch of 11 pounds, 11 ounces; Anthony Gagliardi (ninth) of Prosperity, S.C., with a catch of 11 pounds, 7 ounces; and David Dudley (tenth) of Manteo, N.C., with a catch of 10 pounds, 3 ounces.

All anglers qualifying for tomorrow’s final event will start from zero once competition begins.

Tomorrow’s final takeoff is scheduled to take place at 7 a.m. at Roland Martin’s Marina, located at 920 E. Del Monte Ave. in Clewiston, Fla.