Is anyone going to the Southern Open in Kissimmee this Saturday the 30th around 4 or 5 PM???

Due to my work schedule, Saturday afternoon is the only day I can make it to the tournament, and I'd like to meet up with any forum members also attending at that time if possible. Not sure how this can be arranged so any information and advice would be appreciated.

And, if any of you forum members here are making plans on attending on other days, 28 through 30th, and want to meet up, by all means discuss your plans for attending and how to meet up on any day of the tournament.

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2016 Bass Pro Shops Southern Open #1

Kissimmee Chain of Lakes
Kissimmee, Florida

January 28 ~ 30th, 2016

The Kissimmee Chain of Lakes including Lake Tohopekaliga has been a popular venue for Bassmaster tournaments for more than 40 years. The fishery has hosted 22 Bassmaster events including the 1977 and 2006 Bassmaster Classics. Chad Morgenthaler was the lastest to win there, claiming a 2015 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Southern Open title with 52 pounds, 7 ounces. The local host for the event is Visit Kissimmee and the Central Florida Sports Commission.

Opens angler Ryan Davidson sent this great catch to us. Unfortunately, it's only for practice. He's hoping he can find this one again on Thursday. 

I've fished them before but not this year. Not sure if you know but Saturday weigh-ins are held at Bass pro not the boat ramp. It's also the top 12 out of 200 boats. If you can swing by there on Thurs or Friday to see more of the action at lake-side I would suggest that. If your curious which pros will be fishing the tournament, check out the roster  list on bassmaster's website.

Thanks for the info. Bass Pro in the afternoon. Anyone from the forum going then?

Some homie central Florida boys Cody Detweiler and Eric Panzironi kicked butt out there today and lost by only 2 ounces!

Next time boys!

WEIGHT LEADER

Wesley A Strader
Spring City, TN
Weight: 50- 5

BASS PRO SHOPS BIG BASS LEADER (DAILY)

Eric Panzironi
Longwood, FL
Weight: 7- 8

 

 

Place	Name	Day 1		Day 2		Day 3		Total Fish	Total Weight
		Fish	Weight	Fish	Weight	Fish	Weight
1	Wesley A Strader	5	21- 9	5	15-11	5	13- 1	15	50- 5
2	Cody Detweiler	5	14- 7	5	20- 4	5	15- 8	15	50- 3
3	Mark Rose	5	14- 5	5	17-13	5	17-15	15	50- 1
4	Eric Panzironi	5	17-15	5	16-13	5	13- 6	15	48- 2
5	Chad Morgenthaler	5	19-10	5	14-10	5	11- 0	15	45- 4
6	Stetson Blaylock	5	17- 0	5	15-15	5	10- 2	15	43- 1
7	Bobby Lane	5	11- 0	5	17-15	5	13-13	15	42-12
8	Kazuki Kitajima	4	12- 3	5	20- 3	5	8- 3	14	40- 9
9	Ish Monroe	5	16- 1	5	15- 6	5	7- 9	15	39- 0
10	Jason Williamson	5	18- 8	5	14-13	2	2-11	12	36- 0
11	Terry Scroggins	5	13-13	5	17-12	3	4- 6	13	35-15
12	Brad Knight	5	22-11	5	7-10	2	3-11	12	34- 0

 

WS cried. Seemed like there was something going on back home because he had cousins there he didn't expect to see. Hope all is well with him and he can continue to fish competitively for a long time.

Overall was a nice show and I was glad I got to see an old friend and meet a new one. Bass fisher people are definitely the best.

Side note, I hit the Millenia lake for a bit before I went to the weigh in and caught a decent bass on my first cast of the Bobby Lane Havok craw in the Toho color.

Good seeing you there! Looking forward to some good fishing times this year! Glad you got to do some bass fishing and caught one on your first cast. I love it when that happens on that first cast because you think more are right behind that one and then sometimes you don't catch another one or even get another bite! Hate it when that happens.

I was wondering what was going on with WS too. He got way too emotional. Not sure if it was just his win got to him, or the pressure, but he did seem kind of surprised to see some family there who had arrived unannounced.

I like how the MC covered for him so he could regain his composure. That was nice of him.

Did I hear correctly that this win in Florida has now qualified WS for the classic?

Besides all the tail end drama of the weigh in, I was really impressed to see some homies at the top! So glad all the top spots did not go to fishermen not even from Florida. Kind of nice when the home field advantage is an advantage!

 

Hopefully we can get out a good amount this year.

Bassmaster.com has a story on WS and the tournament. Head some major drama going on back home that week.

Anglers have to compete in all the division's opens for a win to qualify a trip to the Classic. He has to fish two more to go. It should work since there aren't any schedule conflicts with FLW.