Fishing News - 1/11/01
From BASS
Tim Horton Takes the Early Lead at Lake Okeechobee
OKEECHOBEE, Fla.-January 11, 2001- Reigning B.A.S.S. Angler of the Year Tim Horton used his best-ever one day catch to take the opening round lead in the $232,000 Florida BASSMASTER Eastern Invitational here Thursday. And it didn't take him long. Horton, of Mussel Shoals, Ala., brought in a
five-bass limit weighing 27 pounds, 4 ounces, all of which he caught within the first hour of the tournament on Lake Okeechobee.Gerald Beck of Lexington, N.C. is second with 19 pounds, 13 ounces while Mark Schafer of Williamstown, N.J. is third with 17-8. Curt Lytle of Suffolk, Va. ranks fourth with 17-3 and Chris Elliott of Raleigh, N.C.
is fifth with 16-13.Horton's dazzling catch included fish weighing 8 pounds, 3 ounces and 6 pounds 13 ounces. "I'm fishing an area of chunk rock bank that is about 20 miles from the launch site," he explained. "I caught my two biggest within the first 40
minutes."Despite having a great day of fishing, Horton had to overcome some
engine trouble in order to make it to the weigh-in. "I had a few spark plugs go bad this morning," he explained. "It would have been tough for me to make it in had it not been for the B.A.S.S. staff. They brought me fresh plugs and helped me change them. Those guys will do anything within their power to help the anglers out."Horton will be looking over his shoulder Friday, as second-place Beck
and fifth-place Elliott are fishing within sight of the leader. "I've got a good spot," said Horton. "I just hope the other guys will respect it."Most contestants agree that if the weather conditions remain warm through the remainder of the tournament, large weights will continue. A cold front earlier in the week pushed bass away from spawning areas, but the pros
expect to see bedding fish by the end of the week.Horton explained that the worst thing for him would be a strong north wind. "A north wind would probably blow most of the water out of the area I'm in," he said. "It wouldn't effect the fishing that much except that I wouldn't be able to get into the area."
Elliott landed the biggest bass of the day, an 8 pound, 3 ounce bass
that hit his lipless Yo-Zuri crankbait, dove under the boat, then tangled in his anchor rope. "I was really lucky," said Elliott. "I pulled the anchor out of the water and saw one hook in my rope and another hook in the fish's mouth."The Florida BASSMASTER Eastern Invitational is the third of four events on the BASSMASTER Eastern Invitational Trail this season. The winning angler in the event will take home $51,000 out of the overall $232,000 purse.
In addition to the prize money anglers are vying to earn valuable points
that will help them qualify for next summer's BASS Masters Classic. The top five anglers in the season's points standings will qualify to fish in the "Super Bowl" of bass fishing. The Florida BASSMASTER Eastern Invitational will launch at Okee-tantie Marina, near Okeechobee City.Additionally, a free CastingKids event, sponsored by Chevy Trucks and Zebco, will be held there Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. This fun-filled national program designed by B.A.S.S. CEO Helen Sevier encourages children to perfect the skills of casting, pitching and flipping. Local B.A.S.S. clubs conduct the events and provide
instruction to all youngsters.The BASSMASTER Tournament Trail is the oldest and most prestigious pro
bass fishing circuit. It continues to set the standard for credibility, professionalism and sportsmanship, as it has for more than three decades.Sponsors of the 2001 BASSMASTER Tournament Trail include: Ranger Boats, RangerTrail Trailers, Mercury Outboards, Chevy Trucks, ACDelco Batteries, Worldwaters.com, Humminbird/Zercom Marine, Pennzoil Marine, Flowmaster Exhaust Systems, First USA/B.A.S.S. Platinum Visa, MotorGuide Trolling Motors, Gore-Tex Outerwear and GMAC Insurance.
The event is sponsored locally by the Okeechobee County Tourism
Department. B.A.S.S. Web site: http://www.bassmaster.com.
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