CLEWISTON, Fla. – Given the conditions and reports from practice, hopes were high for the Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats Southern Division event on Lake Okeechobee. After the first day of competition, fought out under sunny, warm skies, it’s looking like we’re in for an exceptional event. Leading the way, Florida pro Robert Branagh bagged 32 pounds, 2 ounces, followed closely by Minnesota pro Parker Knudsen with 32-1. While nobody else broke 30 pounds, 36 pros caught 20 pounds or better, and 24 pounds didn’t guarantee you a spot in the Top 10.
On the Strike King co-angler side, which featured lots of strong limits, Garrett Vick blasted 26-14 from the back of the boat for the lead. In second, Brady Lunsmann wrangled 24-3, and three other co-anglers broke 20 pounds.
Branagh hunting win No. 2 on the Big O
The winner of the February 2022 Toyota Series event on Okeechobee, Branagh is a hardened competitor in Florida and seems to have a knack for the big pond.
“I found these fish about three or four days ago and then checked them the day before the tournament,” Branagh said. “I’m doing something completely different than anybody’s doing, and, I actually left those fish at 9:30 this morning, I had my weight by 9:30. So, hopefully, we can catch them tomorrow.”
From the sounds of it, Branagh has more in the tank and some backup plans if things go awry.
“I have about four areas, and I only hit one of the areas,” he said. “I went into my secondary pattern, which is probably my fourth area, just to see if I could catch a real big one, and I caught a bunch of 3-pounders that didn’t help. After the morning, I wanted to leave the primary spot alone.”
Given a good day on Friday, Branagh is looking forward to seeing his wife Melissa at the weigh-in on Day 3. If things go really well, he could hoist a trophy.
“I think I’ve got to catch 20 tomorrow to stay in the hunt,” he said. “To make the cut, I don’t think I need that much, but to stay in the hunt for the win, I definitely think I need to be 20-plus tomorrow and do it again on Saturday. My goal is always just to make the cut, and then, you know, if it’s your time, it’s your time. You can’t win it on Day 1, but you can lose it.”
Knudsen looking to do it from the front of the boat
After winning from the back of the boat at the Harris Chain last year, Knudsen is looking to do it big again in Florida.
“Two days ago I had some bites in an area I felt like they’re coming to,” Knudsen said. “I was just picking it apart. Subtle little depth changes were very key. I mean, you’ve got this vast area, and there were only two little sections that were crucial that the fish were pulling into.”
While Branagh seems to think he’s the only one putting pressure on his fish, Knudsen is not alone on the water. Not uncommon on Okeechobee, or, Florida in general, but not an easy variable to deal with.
“I’m definitely fishing around people, and I saw a handful of big ones get caught,” said the Minnesota angler. “So, I don’t know. I’m going to give it all I got for tomorrow, I don’t know if it’s going to reload.”
If Knudsen can keep catching them, he could start the year in a pretty special way.
“You win one as a co-angler, and then you win one in the front of the boat, I mean, it’d be an absolute dream,” Knudsen said.
Top 10 pros
1. Robert Branagh – 32 – 2 (5)
2. Parker Knudsen – 32 – 1 (5)
3. Bobby Bakewell – 28 – 15 (5)
4. Byron Haseotes – 27 – 8 (5)
5. Hayden Marbut – 27 – 0 (5)
6. Aaron Gengler – 26 – 8 (5)
6. Steve Lopez – 26 – 8 (5)
8. Jeremy Knepper – 25 – 1 (5)
9. Ken Thompson – 24 – 8 (5)
9. Justin Morgan – 24 – 8 (5)