OKEECHOBEE — The Big O Teen Anglers held their July tournament on Saturday, July 29, out of Okeetantie with 18 anglers participating. It was a great day of fishing. There were 37 bass caught weighing a total of 79.06 lbs. with zero dead fish. The largest bass caught was in the 9-13 age group at 5.24 lbs. by Nicholas Neswick. Great job Nick!

This month’s standings were as follows:

9 to 13 Age Group
• First place - Katie Fender with 11.52 lbs.;

• Second place - Baylee Stephens with 7.67 lbs.;
• Third place - Jeremy Llorens with 7.20 lbs.;
• Big Fish - Nicholas Neswick with 5.24lb.

14 to 19 age group

• First place - Ben Purvis, Jr. with 6.09 lbs. and the Big Fish at 2.74 lbs.;
• Second place - Katelyn Straight with 5.73 lbs.;
• Third place - Michael Palmer with 4.49 lbs.

Every month we have boat captains that volunteer a Saturday morning to our youth anglers, therefore we’d like to extend our thanks and appreciation to the following: David Straight, Jamie Stephens, Kyle Powers, Scott LaFave, Paul Lynch, Ben Purvis, Jr., Billy Ellerbee and Jim Newell.

Special thank you’s go out to Okeechobee Fishing Headquarters, Garrards Bait & Tackle, and Fast Break Bait & Tackle for their continued support and sponsorship of this club.

Congratulations go out to  Mason Fender, for his success with the Florida Bass Nation Junior Series where he earned his rightful place at the State Championship representing the Big O Teen Anglers. Great job Mason! Keep up the hard work!

If you have a youth angler between the ages of 9-19 that loves fishing or is interested in learning a new sport, please reach out to Danielle at 561-436-8491 or by email at bota.danielle@gmail.com.