Does home-lake advantage play a role when 320 of the world’s best anglers gather to see who can find the heaviest four-day stringer of bass for a first-place cash prize of up to $125,000? Just look at the leaderboard of the season-opening FLW Tour bass fishing tournament on Lake Okeechobee.

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Randall Tharp and Brandan McMillian own "The Lake". Those two guys are machines out there. It was awesome to see Roland Martin weigh in 26lbs...he was the leader for about 20 minutes yesterday. Wind is down today...I expect some good bags coming in.

Surprising I think only Randall got a 30 pound bag today. Mcmillan came in with under 20!! Maybe the fish were too scattered all over with the overcast conditions and hunting food with the front moving in. I think Sunday will favor Tharp and Mcmillan putting fish under the matts.

I was surprised to see McMillian with the short bag, I thought today would be right up his alley. He's fishing the same area as Tharpe, so again I was surprised at the weight differental. I know exactly where those two guys are fishing...

Scott and Roland Martin still in the hunt. How cool would it be to listen to that dinner conversation tonight. I'm really pulling for those guys...I've met them both and just awesome people.

It would be cool to see Roland in the mix with a good old slugfest repeat of last year with Mcmillan and Tharp. Man you're lucky you know the area they are fishing! Like you said, those two def know where to go.

Reports of Tharps first day stated that he thought he had one in the 11-12 pound range but I think it wound up being 9 pounds. I guess he was so pumped he over estimated the size of his fish just a bit. I think Sunday it'll be a full out flippin match between them!

id really like to see tharp get the win this time around. he came close last year and has been due for a win. lol ive been so pumped ive over estimated the weight of a fish as well, its very easy to do when you stick a hog lol

^{To be honest I'd like to see Brandon get the win in light of the very recent events in his life.}

Tharpes first fish Saturday was 9-8. He told the guy in the film boat he had one "way over" ten. That first fish always seems bigger to me when Im fishing also...you have nothing to calibrate to. Great fish though...still the big fish of the tourney.

It would be great to see Brandon win it, also. The guy definately has the skills to pull it out...he knows the lake like no other. The last tourney I fished there with Brandon in the field (Ghosts and Goblins) it felt like an accomplishment to be within 5lbs of him (me/jack =19lbs, mcmillians =24lbs)

Tharpes first fish Saturday was 9-8. He told the guy in the film boat he had one "way over" ten. That first fish always seems bigger to me when Im fishing also...you have nothing to calibrate to. Great fish though...still the big fish of the tourney.

It would be great to see Brandon win it, also. The guy definately has the skills to pull it out...he knows the lake like no other. The last tourney I fished there with Brandon in the field (Ghosts and Goblins) it felt like an accomplishment to be within 5lbs of him (me/jack =19lbs, mcmillians =24lbs)

I would feel very proud of that accomplishment myself! You're right, that man is one of the BEST in the world on Lake O and to be within 5 pounds of him is indeed a success! Sounds like your no slouch on that like as well.

Sadly I've only fished that lake twice now so I've got some serious catching up to do!

I would feel very proud of that accomplishment myself! You're right, that man is one of the BEST in the world on Lake O and to be within 5 pounds of him is indeed a success! Sounds like your no slouch on that like as well.

Sadly I've only fished that lake twice now so I've got some serious catching up to do!

When it comes to Okeechobee, I'm a tremendous slouch (Ty Webb).

Every now and then I can catch a decent bag, but the guys who are good out there stay on the fish consistantly. My experience there doesn't even compare to guys like Bruce (bocabasser), Dave (salmicoptrus), Robert (South Fla), Rob (Gar Tracker), Kenny (never enough), etc... And guys like Brandon are in other league entirely.

Like you, I've got a lot of catching up to do. But it's gonna be fun trying...I love fishing the lake.

You said, it's a blast fishing that lake and trying to learn it!!

The guys you mentioned are all very humble on the boards. Its nice you throw some props out to them as these guys don't brag about there skills on the water. That in my opinion demands respect especially with how helpful alot of you guys are! Good luck out there and hopefully you catch a 40 pound bag this year man!

^{To be honest I'd like to see Brandon get the win in light of the very recent events in his life.}

Thats hard not to agree with.

As a fellow Geezer seeing Roland make a strong run would be cool.

And thanks Pescicdal, you come in with some pretty good sacks yourself.

Well, Tharpe ran away with the thing. He really deserved it...Okeechobee showed her teeth the last two days and Tharpe still broke the 100lb mark. 23lb bag yesterday is amazing.

Hats off to Randall Tharpe...he left no doubt who the "king of the lake" is.