The first stop of the 2022 St. Croix Bassmaster Southern Open was right here on West Lake Toho and the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes last weekend. Participants from 30 states and Japan and Canada made up the 225-boat field, each with anglers fishing on the Pro and Co-Angler sides.
The Co-Anglers had a 3-fish limit each day and crowned a Champion after day 2 — and that champion lives right here in St. Cloud.
Ron Shakespeare, 50, moved to the area five years ago and took up tournament fishing four years ago. He started out fishing locally with the Central Florida Bass Hunters. His buddy and fishing partner in other club tournaments and team trials, Jerrod Albright of Kissimmee, also participated in the Southern Open.
They became fishing partners by fate. Jerrod, seeking a co-angler for a Toho Marine Wednesday Night Derby at the Kissimmee Lakefront, put out a call on social media, and Ron jumped at the chance to get out on the water and make new friends.
Shakespeare and Albright, both fishing from the back of a strangers boat, were competing against each other this past week. Shakespeare was the overall leader out of the 225 anglers at the end of Day 1 with 13 pounds, 8 ounces and right on his heels by just ounces was Albright at 13-4. Jerrod’s first-day limit was anchored by a seven-pound, 11-ounce bass that secured him the Big Bass award on the co-angler side of the tournament. Both anglers were fishing with Fitzgerald Rods and throwing an 8” Pippin8’r worm, produced by CPF Lures, in a color named “The Dirty Albright”, designed and named after Jerrod himself.
Shakespeare didn’t get his first bite until after 1 o’clock on the first day, and landed his first bass on Day 2 on just his second cast. He stayed on Lake Toho on Day 2 and got to the scales ahead of Albright, meaninghe had to sweat it out, watching all the other anglers weigh in, including his friend Jerrod. Shakespeare secured the victory with an overall total of 19 pounds, 10 ounces. Albright, who took second with 17 pounds even, said he couldn’t have been happier for his friend and teammate Ron on his big win in his first ever B.A.S.S. Open.
For two days of hard work and friendly competition, Shakespeare took home over $24,000.
On the Pro side, anglers fished for two days with a five-fish limit, and the top 10 advanced to Championship Saturday. After finishing in 13th place on Day 1 and climbing up to second on Day 2, Brandon Lester, of Fayetteville, Tennessee, went on to win his first B.A.S.S. event after having competed in over 140 events with the organization. Lester’s three-day total of 51 pounds got him a check of over $52,000 and secured him a spot at the 2023 Academy Sports and Outdoors Bassmaster Classic being held in Knoxville, Tennessee.
It was a great tournament despite the on and off rain showers on Championship Saturday. I’d like to recognize some local anglers from here in Osceola County that participated: Jesse Tacorante, Kevin Heard, Kevin Steele, Robert Taylor Jr. and Kenneth Townson. A special shout out to the Osceola Anglers High School Fishing Club for their volunteer services — those kids were the footwork behind getting the bass that were weighed in from the stage to the release boat.
If you want to catch some bass tournament action, come down the Kissimmee Lakefront Marina in Saturday at 3 p.m. for the weigh-in for the Bass Fishing League (BFL) tournament taking place. Stop by and visit the new Kissimmee Marina Restaurant while you’re there.
Until next time, tight lines my friends!
