The Kissimmee/Osceola County Chamber of Commerce paid out more than $7,000 at its Toho Bass Blast Open Tournament May 12 in Kissimmee,

Brian Wical, of Palm Bay, and Rich Howes, of Oveido won the tournament and the big bass of the day, taking home more than $2,500 in prize money. They also won free entry into next year’s tournament. A total of 86 boats launched from the Lake Tohopekaliga boat ramp at safe light with the weigh-in at 3 p.m.

The chamber paid out to the top 12 teams. Wical and Howes brought a total of 27.05 pounds to the scales with five fish. The big bass of the day was 10.29 pounds.

In second were Ron Bennett and Dale Pistick with a total of five fish weighing in at 24.01 pounds.

Finishing third were Bruce Bozman and Ray Riendeau with five fish weighing in at 22.64 pounds.

Winning the “exact weight fish” with a bass that weighed exactly 5 pounds was the Toho Water Team of Tim Burton and Derek Crouch. The bonus was a $1,000 pay out.

During the event, Gatorland came out with it “Wrangler on the Way” show and brought two alligators, a bearded dragon, a rose-haired tarantula, an emperor scorpion and a red tail boa.

Go to www.kissimmeechamber.com for photos and postings.