Fishing News - 1/12/01

        From BASS

Okeechobee's Greg MacLean Takes The Lead

OKEECHOBEE, Fla.--January 12, 2000 - Greg MacLean of Okeechobee, Fla. only caught four bass during the second round of the $232,000 Florida BASSMASTER Eastern Invitational, but they weighed 21 pounds, 15 ounces and gave him the lead heading into Saturday's final round. MacLean, a local fishing guide and tackle shop owner, also won the $1,000 daily big bass prize with a Lake Okeechobee lunker weighing 9-7.

"The area that I am fishing has scattered rocks along with some rock humps," said MacLean. "A lot of guys are fishing in the same spot that I am, but I'm going behind them working very slowly. My success came with 8 pound line and a Model 6A Bomber crankbait."

First-day leader Tim Horton of Muscle Shoals, Ala., slipped to second place with a 30 pound, 8 ounce, two-day total. John Crews, Jetersville, Va., is in third with 28 pounds while Darrell Pons, Gainesville, Fla., is fourth with 26-15 and Terry Segraves of Kissimmee, Fla., is fifth with 26-14. 

Horton encountered mechanical difficulty which prevented him from getting to his spot early. He missed the first two hours of the morning fishing.  "I believe that the bass in that spot bite best early," said Horton.

"I'm in the first flight tomorrow, so I'm hoping that will help me."  MacLean, in his third year on the trail, has never finished higher than 56th in a B.A.S.S. tournament.  "I caught the fish throughout the day," he said. "I caught my first one at about 9:30, and my partner caught the last fish just before 3 o'clock.  So the bite was spaced out throughout the day. I only had five bites yesterday, and five bites today, but the bites I'm getting are quality bites."

With the lake down five feet below last year's level, anglers continue to encounter low water conditions. Kevin Wirth of Crestwood, Ky., in 23rd with 15 pounds, 8 ounces, chose to bring a jet boat so he could reach some prime fishing areas tucked behind shallow flats. He still had problems.  "I have to travel through an area that is about 3 inches deep for around seven miles," Wirth explained. "I'm in a jet boat, but I still ran aground yesterday and had to get pulled off.."

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.

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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