Image for GALLERY: Heavy Hitters kicks off on Florida’s Orange Lake
May 16, 2026 • Phoenix Moore • Bass Pro Tour

OCALA, Fla. — Low waters brought high stakes as the biggest names in bass fishing took a calculated approach to chasing the biggest bass on Orange Lake during the morning run of the first day of the seventh annual Kubota Heavy Hitters Presented by Bass Pro Shops. Unlike other events on the Bass Pro Tour, things run a little differently at Heavy Hitters. Today’s field of 16 anglers has Saturday and Monday to make the top eight and advance to the Knockout Round. 

Take a look at some of the morning action from the first day and follow the official live scoring on SCORETRACKER®. Be sure to tune in now through May 21 for the MLFNOW! from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET at MajorLeagueFishing.com, the MLF and MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) apps and the Major League Fishing channel on Rumble.