-
Thanks to an eighth-place finish last week, St. Cloud’s Mark Lundgren moved into first place in the Bass Fishing League standings. PHOTO/CINDY JOINT
Major League Fishing hosted a tournament in Clewiston out of the Roland & Mary Ann Martin Marina and Resort on Saturday. There were several anglers from here in Osceola County that took part in the Phoenix Bass Fishing League’s fourth tournament of the year.
Out of a 170-boat field, Mark Lundgren of St. Cloud was the only local to place in the top 10, finishing eighth with 17.01 pounds with his five fish limit. He spent most of his morning in the same area and only had three fish in the boat by 11:30 am. That’s when he decided to run to the North end of the lake to try his luck. He landed his biggest fish of the day, a 6.5-pounder while he was fishing the shoal before making his way back for his 4 p.m. weigh-in. He was holding third in points on the Boater side going into the tournament on Lake Okeechobee, and with this being his second top 10 finish, he advanced his point standings placement to the No. 1 spot with an 18-point lead, putting him in contention for Angler of the Year.
Lundgren has been participating in Major League Fishing tournaments divisions since 2010. With 70 tournaments under his belt, he’s had 10 top 10 finishes, one career win and over $26,000 in winnings. Mark will spend the next several months fishing Okeechobee in his spare time to prepare for the next Bass Fishing League tournament held again in Clewiston later in September, where the next tournament points are doubled. Good Luck Mark, from the Reel Deal!
With Spring arriving and weather conditions ideal for boating, I’d like to remind you of the importance of having and wearing a PFD (Personal Flotation Device). Two months into his job with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 19-year-old Ayden Woelk from St. Cloud was patrolling West Lake Toho for the first time solo. He was just about to finish his 45-minute patrol duty in a section of the lake not far from the Marina when he heard a faint cry for help. He spotted a johnboat capsized, with the occupant floating in the water waving his hands about a football field length away. Woelk pulled up on the distressed boater and tossed him a rope to help him to safety.
Wakes from some bass boats leaving the same area pushed the johnboat into weeds and caused the boat to take on water. The rescued fisherman was not wearing his PFD at the time. Kudos for Ayden coming to the rescue and having an unforgettable first day out alone!!
The Toho Marine Lake Toho Wednesday Night tournaments on West Lake Toho are back and running every week out of the Kissimmee Lakefront Marina. Entry fee is $30 per boat with a 5 p.m. launch and weigh-ins at dark.
Week One winners were Brent Carter and Brandon Blondeel with 19.86 pounds and Richard Merling with the Big Fish, a 11.07 pounder. Week Two winners were Terry Seagraves and Fred Hughes with 20.05 pounds and Tyler Tharp with Big Fish, a 9.54-pounder. Week Three winners: Shelton Smith and Eric Andrews having 17.37 pounds, and Chuck Nelson had the Big Fish (8.64 pounds).
All Big Fish have been Trophy Catch Florida qualifiers. Have a great weekend and if you’re spending it on the water practice safe boating! Tight Lines friends!
