November 24, 2020 by Brian Stahl
Lake Wales, FL- Xtreme Bass Series Suwannee River Division directors Donnie Feagle and Josh Lester won the 16th annual Xtreme Bass Series Championship presented by Blazer Boats and Mercury Marine, bringing a 5 bass limit to the scale on the final day of competition that weighed 19.71 pounds. It was a wire-to-wire victory for the north Florida duo who weighed in a tournament best bag of 23.05 pounds on day 1, giving them a 42.76 pound total over two days.
The victory was no easy feat for Feagle and Lester, who topped a 126 boat field on the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes that was comprised of the top anglers from 11 different divisions across Florida. Their margin of victory was more than 2 pounds over second place.
“It was a grind to find something on the lake during practice this week,” stated Feagle. “We decided to make a long run to the south and fortunately they were chewing on day 1.”
For the win, Feagle and Lester took home the top prize, a new Blazer 595 Pro Elite powered by a 200 horsepower Mercury Pro XS, valued at $40,000.00.
“I’m thrilled for Donnie and Josh to win this year’s championship,” stated Mike Blocher, Xtreme Bass Series President. “They do so much to give back to their community around the Suwannee River with their charity tournaments, it’s nice to see it come full circle.”
Toho Division’s Bobby Wooten and Chad Stewart finished the event in second place with a two day total of 40.66 pounds, earning the Kissimmee Chain duo $3,500.00. They secured an additional $440.00 for the 2nd Big Bass on day 1 with a 7.08 pound kicker.
Istokpoga Division’s Robert Brown and Troy Olivier earned a third place finish with 37.65 pounds over two days, earning the team $2,000.00.
Toho Division directors, and 2019 Champions, Jeremy Smith and Jim Folks took home a fourth place finish with a 37.54 pound, two day total. Smith and Folks earned $1,800.00 for the weekend and secured overall Team of the Year honors. For Team of the Year, the team will receive free entry fees into any one division for the 2021 season as well as a prize package from Fitzgerald Fishing, Academy Sports, Catch Commander, and Bill Lewis Lures.
Rounding out the Top 5 was the father and son team of Jamie Stephens and Jim Stephens. The Lake Tarpon Division duo weighed 35.99 pounds over two days, including a 7.48 pound kicker that earned 1st Big Bass honors on day 1. Stephens and Stephens took home $1,400.00 for fifth place, $800.00 for their big bass, and an additional $500.00 from BoatCoversAnywhere.com for being the highest finishing Father/Son team.
Big Bass on Day 2 went to the team of Rich Patterson and David Rushing. Their 7.92 pound lunker earned the team $800.00.
The 2nd Big Bass award on Day 2 went to the father and son team of Scott and Kaden Funnell. Their 7.67 pound kicker was worth $440.00.
Garrett Rocamora and Levi Brown took the $500.00 Blazer Bucks prize, finishing as the highest placing team competing out of a Blazer boat.
Complete Results can be found at XBSeries.com
Anglers qualified for the 2020 Championship through participation in 7 of 9 events in one division, or 8 events in a combination of any division. Since 2004, Xtreme Bass Series has awarded over $2.6 Million in cash and prizes to anglers. For more information and qualification procedures, visit www.xbseries.com.
Sponsors for the Xtreme Bass Series
Blazer Boats, Mercury Marine, Academy Sports, Fitzgerald Fishing, Catch Commander, Big Frig Coolers, 13 Fishing, Bill Lewis Lures, Snag Proof, Black Paw Nets