Gonzalez takes Lake Okeechobee with 18.26lbs.
June 3, 2017 – Lake Ockeechobee, FL. Co-Anglers.com had the opportunity to catch up with Ram Open Series Co-Angler winner Michael Gonzalez, of Apopka, FL., and asked him about his stunning 18.26 Lbs. and 3 fish limit to take the tournament win. The win gave him a total earnings of $1500 for first place. We asked Michael a few questions about what made his victory possible. This is what he had to say:
Co-Anglers.com: How did you catch your biggest fish?
Michael Gonzalez: I caught all my big fish on Whopper Plopper in the black loon pattern.
CA: What part of the lake did catch your biggest fish?
MG: All my fish came from the south of the lake near Harney Pond in 2-3 feet of water with scattered Hydrilla.
CA: What brand of rod and reel did you use to catch your biggest fish?
MG: For the past 30 years I’ve only used Shimano Rod & Reels. Both Curado’s and Citica’s are my workhorses and have never let me down. My lines of choice are Power Pro and Trielene Big Game.
Michael Gonzalez Wins Lake Okeechobee with 18.26 lbs
CA: Did you learn anything new from your pro?
MG: The area we fished I would’ve passed up myself. If it weren’t for my boater who knew the area, so I learned to to be a little more through when selecting areas to fish.
CA: What is your home town?
MG: I currently live in Apopka, AF. I was born in New York, raised in Ohio.
CA: What tournament trail do you fish?
MG: I only fish the ABA series. It’s a great venue for Co-Anglers and they compete on lakes that suits my style fishing.
CA: What or who inspires you as a co-angler?
MG: My own red blooded American competitiveness inspires me to fish bass tournaments. To learn from others, their tactics, techniques and to educate myself more with the business side of the fishing industry.
CA: What do you expect from tournament fishing?
MG: What I expect is education, knowledge and above all experience. With theses skill sets, I can become more competitive.
CA: How long have you been a co-angler?
MG: I’ve been fishing as a co-angler on and off for about 6 years. Full time only three. I plan on fishing as co for another couple years maybe.
It looks like Lake Okeechobee was fishing well for the top five co-anglers. Hot on Gonzalez’s tail was Bob Lauffer of Clermont, FL. who brought in a three-bass division limit weighing 17.93 pounds including an 8.11-pound big bass. He collected $500 for the effort and pocketed $260 for the big bass award.
“In the morning we went to the shoal and I was fishing a G-tail worm in the grass and the reeds. I caught a bunch of fish this morning then we ran to another spot where I threw a big speed-worm and caught two big ones. I want to thank my wife for sponsoring me, this is her first time she has been able to see the entire event.” Lauffer said.
Wayne Roberts of Sarasota, FL placed third among the co-anglers with three bass going 17.63 pounds. “I was fishing the north end of the lake throwing a speed-worm. I had two big bass that broke me off but I caught fish all day.” Roberts said.
In fourth was Uby Rosell of Davenport, FL who brought in three bass for 17.11 pounds. Rounding out the top five co-anglers was Vicky Brackin of Okeechobee, FL with three bass at 16.70 pounds.
For more information on this tournament, call Billy Benedetti, tournament manager, at 256-230-5632 or ABA at 256-232-0406. Online, see www.ramopenseries.com.
