West Lake Toho Results: May 22, 2010
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The Florida Central Division of the Fishers of Men National Tournament Trail held it's Regional Qualifier Tournament on 22 May on West Lake Toho using the Southport Park Ramp for the event. This Tournament produced the 31 Teams qualifying to enter the two-day 2010 FOM Southeast Regional Championship on November 12-13 at a location to be announced by the FOM Headquarters by early June. With the four locks being closed on the Kissimmee Chain for maintenance, only West Lake Toho was accessible for the competitors. Fishing was great, with about 90% of the Teams weighing-in a 5-fish limit.
The Friday Night Pre-Tournament Meeting was held at Faith Baptist Church located at 1990 Neptune Road in Kissimmee FL. A blessed combined effort of two local churches – Faith Baptist and The Connection Church – provided a welcoming atmosphere and meal for the Competitors and their guest. The Florida Wildlife and Game Commission provided Marty Mann for a question, answer, and information update to our freshwater fishermen on the Black Bass Plan for the near future. The Florida Central Division Chaplain, Mike Surovik relayed an inspirational message about how our Lives are a Journey with three major step – Beginning, Exploring, and Growing. By taking a Step of Faith in the right direction, we will begin to give God the Glory for all of our achievements, including winning fishing tournaments. Comparing Catch & Release, Mike said that after we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior that God puts us back into the World to tell others about our new relationship. Common fishermen prioritizing our relationship with others.
The Tournament began at 6:15 on Saturday morning with a cool upper sixties temperature and mostly clear skies. The pre-fishing report had been extremely positive, but as fishing goes everyday is different. The Largemouth Bass had completed spawning, and were on a feeding frenzy filling their gullets with shiners and shad.
The first flight began arriving just before 3:00 o'clock in the 90 degree weather and blue skies with a slight breeze. The Winning Team at last month's Winter Haven Chain Tournament, Mike Robinson and Red Flowers again brought a monster sack to the scales weighing 31.78 pounds. This First Place weight was caught on the east shore of West Lake Toho using worms in 5 feet of clear water. Culling six fish, Mike and Red also won the First Bonus buck Award. Their winning weight put the Team into 2nd Place Overall for the 2010 Points Standing.
Tim and Todd Wagman weighed in 26.53 pounds including the Second Big Fish of the Day – 8.21 lbs to win Second Place. Tim and Todd fished the Goblets Cove area with Culprit 10 inch Junebug worms in 5 feet of clear water. They culled through 15 fish to produce their 5-fish limit at weigh-in.
Third place was won by Dale Dewberry and Jerry Gore with 25.40 pounds, including a 6.93 largemouth. Dale and Jerry used PRODUCTO LURES (www.productolures.com) to entice their catch in three feet of water on the North side and were able to cull through nine fish.
Tab Bowman and Wayne Swindle also went to the North side and won Fourth Place with 23.43 pounds including the Big Fish of the Day – an 8.40 pounder. Their five-fish limit was caught using craw and rattle traps in 4 feet with hydrilla. The Team culled through around 40 fish during the tournament. Cecil and Glen Key weighed in 22.19 pounds to win 5th Place, followed by Keith Carson and John Cox with 21.23 pounds for Sixth Place. Clay and Dennis Littleton had 20.19 pounds for Seventh Place.
While the year end totals were being calculated, the Competitors and their guest enjoyed a tasteful meal at the Southport Park Pavilion. The 2010 Florida Central Division Points Champion Team of Keith Carson and John Cox were awarded the Point Pot Check and Trophies, and are now qualified to enter the2010-11 FOM National Championship. Anastasia and Billy Taylor won the top finishing Male/Female Team Award. The top finishing Adult/Junior Team Award was won by Richard and Catherine McEarchern. All three Teams are qualified to enter the 2010 Southeast FOM Championship on November12-13th.
The remaining teams that are qualified to enter the 2010 Southeast Regional FOM Championship can be found on the Florida Central Division web site at www.fomntt.com.
The Fishers of Men National Tournament Trail would like to thank all competitors for fishing with us. The Journey before us is challenging, but we can all win!
The 2010 Local Sponsors for the Florida Central Division are: Bass Pro Shops Orlando,Gatorland, Kirkman Road Veterinary, and Producto Lures.
The 2010 National Sponsors are: TRITON Boats, Mercury Outboards, Strike King Lure Company, Markel Insurance, Power-Pole, Abu Garcia, Nester Hosiery Inc, Marshall’s Marine, Keelshield, Solar Bat, Kistler Custom Fishing Rods, Gary Yamamoto Custom Baits, Berkley, Lowrance, Spot Remover, Stanley Jigs, Jacobs Glass Co, Rejuvenade, Dual Pro Charger, MotorGuide, and Keep Alive Oxygen Infusor.
