LEESBURG, Fla. – Through two days, Dylan Quilatan is making it look easy in the Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats Southern Division event at the Harris Chain. Quilitan dropped 33 pounds, 6 ounces on the scale on Day 2 to get up to a 58-10 total, clear of second-place Bobby Bakewell by an even 13 pounds. In third, Chad Mrazek is 20 pounds, 3 ounces off the lead – so, barring disaster on the part of Quilatan or something truly heroic from his pursuers, Day 3 will be a one-man show.
On the co-angler side, Benton Peoples continued to lead with a two-day total of 33 pounds even. In second, John Stahl rolled up the leaderboard with a big bag of 19-1 for a 28-8 total.
Five bites to go for Quilatan
Starting the event with over 25 pounds on Day 1 was a nice way for Quilatan to keep his momentum rolling from a weekend of Phoenix Bass Fishing League success. Today, he hammered the pedal to the floor to put his pursuers far in the rearview. Despite pressure from other anglers in his area, Quilatan still stood out from the field in a big way.
“I caught one that was a little random, and then at like 10:30, I got on to a little pattern, and that’s how I caught my big fish,” said the 17-year-old high school senior. “Everything’s completely different every day. I was catching fish today where I’ve never caught a fish. It’s a massive area, and every day there’s different little zones. You just have to go figure it out, and some days, you don’t even figure it out.”
Having fished on the Harris Chain for almost two weeks straight, Quilatan is obviously pretty dialed at the moment.
“I pick up on little things that give me more high percentage opportunities throughout the day,” he said. “It’s not like you just show up every day and you catch them because you just show up. I’m putting my head down and trying to figure things out every day.”
If he wins, Quilatan will be the second youngest to ever win a Toyota Series event. Depending on how things break, he’ll also have a shot to catch more than 90 pounds, and perhaps break Banks Shaw’s winning margin record of 24-5 (probably a long shot considering Bakewell’s prowess on the Harris Chain). Regardless of the fun facts on the line, the win would be the biggest of Quilatan’s young life.
“I haven’t really thought about it,” he said of the prospect. “I’ll probably start crying or something, but I just know I need another big bag because that’s what lives out there. And any of these guys could come in with a bag like I had today.
“The only thing on my mind is just to get the next big bite. That’s it. That’s my mindset. I’ve got 10 down, I’ve got five more to go.”
Top 10 pros
1. Dylan Quilatan – 58 – 10 (10)
2. Bobby Bakewell – 45 – 10 (10)
3. Chad Mrazek – 38 – 07 (10)
4. Danny Allen – 38 – 04 (10)
5. Justin Barnes – 37 – 14 (10)
6. Kyle Cortiana – 35 – 06 (10)
7. Kennie Steverson – 35 – 05 (10)
8. Derrick Blake – 34 – 15 (10)
9. Flint Davis – 34 – 14 (10)
10. Britt Myers Jr. – 33 – 15 (10)