January 29, 2020 by Brian Stahl
Land O’ Lakes, FL- The month of January is notoriously on the radar for tournament fisherman across the state of Florida. It is the time of year when Dean Rojas set the record for a single day 5 bass limit. That record was set on Lake Toho with a 45 pound 2 ounce bag. The 31 teams who set out on Lake Toho for the first event of the season on January 19th likely had that thought in the back of their minds, but knew the reality would be much different. Two days removed from the B.A.S.S. Eastern Open where Bryan New sealed a victory with a 3 day total of 49 pounds 8 ounces, and the biggest bag of the event weighing 22 pounds, 5 ounces, it was sure to be a grind.
Cotton Roberts and Jared Schmidt were able to grind their way to their fist win of the 2020 season. The duo swept the field, weighing a 16.30 pound, five bass limit. They anchored their limit with a 7.15 pound kicker that took the event’s big bass honor. Roberts and Schmidt won $1,380.00 collectively. Don Eady and Kenny Bivens finished the day in second place, weighing a 14.70 pound bag. They earned $600.00 for the runner up finish. Rob Wilson and Mark Holasek rounded out the top 3 with 14.35 pounds, taking home $400.00.
Lawson and Pittman caught the Big Bass of the Suwannee River Event
The Suwannee River division held their second event of the season on January 26th out of the Sandy Springs boat ramp. 36 teams turned out to better their standings in the Team of the Year race. Matt Cummings and Garry Ward share the lead in the TOY race with their victory in event #2. The duo weighed an 11.92 pound, 5 bass limit to win the $1,180.00 first place prize. Cole Lawson and Marshall Pittman took the runner up position with a 10.51 pound, 5 bass limit. They anchored their bag with a 4.63 pound kicker, earning big bass honors. Lawson and Pittman took home $1,060.00 in combined winnings. Rounding out the top 3 was the team of Jason Pate and Jessy Nash. Their 10.38 pound, 5 bass limit earned $480.00.
The Lochloosa division held their first event on January 25th, but results were not readily available at the time of this writing.
The Xtreme Bass Series 2020 championship will be held on Lake Kissimmee. Hosted by Camp Mack, a Guy Harvey Lodge, Marina, and RV Resort, qualifying anglers will have the opportunity to compete for a new Blazer 595 Pro Elite powered by a 200 HP Mercury Pro XS valued at $40,000.00. To qualify, members must have competed in 7 of 9 events in any one division, or 8 events in a combination of any division. For more information visit the rules page at www.xbseries.com.
Photos provided by Donnie Feagle
Featured image: Matt Cummings and Garry Ward
