The MLF Toyota Series is set to open its season at Lake Okeechobee with a Southeastern Division event Thursday through Saturday (Feb. 3-5). The three-day tournament will feature some of the region’s best anglers casting for a top prize of up to $100,000 in the pro division.
“The water is extremely high – it has been for the last six months or so,” said MLF Pro Circuit competitor Darrell Davis of Dover, Florida, who has three Top-10 finishes on Lake Okeechobee in Toyota Series competition. “The fish are pretty scattered, and the high water has definitely opened up quite a few new areas.
“With so much water, I don’t expect people to be fishing right on top of each other,” Davis continued. “Guys are going to be able to spread out and find productive areas of water that they will have all to themselves. The weather, as always, is going to play a huge role in this tournament. We’ve got a cold front in the forecast before the tournament and that could tighten things up.”
Davis said that he expects, “typical Florida-stuff” to be the main baits of choice – ChatterBaits, lipless crankbaits and Yamamoto Senkos will all be in the regular rotation of baits used by tournament anglers.
“The key is going to be spending the time to locate the fish, then once you find them really slowing down and milking through your area,” Davis went on to say. “I think the weights are going to be very similar to when the Toyota Series was on Lake Okeechobee in 2020 – I predict the winner is going to need at least 53 pounds over the three days.”
Anglers will take off daily at 7 a.m. ET from Roland & Mary Ann Martin’s Marina & Resort in Clewiston. Weigh-ins will also be held at the same location and will begin at 3 p.m. Fans are welcome to attend and encouraged to follow the event online through the “MLF Live” weigh-in broadcasts and daily coverage at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
In Toyota Series regular-season competition, payouts are based on the number of participants competing in the event, scaling up for every 20 boats over 160 and scaling down for every boat below 160. With a 160-boat field, pros fish for a top prize of $40,000, plus an extra $35,000 if Phoenix MLF Bonus qualified. With a 260-boat field, pros fish for a top award of $65,000, plus an extra $35,000 if Phoenix MLF Bonus qualified.
