GROVE, Okla. – While MLF’s international partners have been sending anglers to the Toyota Series Championship for a while, and some have seen success, there’s never been an international champion until now. Representing MLF Italy, Giovanni Ceccarelli earned the co-angler win in the Toyota Series Championship Presented by Phoenix Boats on Grand Lake with a 27-pound, 2-ounce total on 14 bass.
For his win, Ceccarelli earns a new Phoenix boats package, which could be a little problematic considering that shipping to Italy has got to be a lot for a boat. Still, regardless of how feasible delivery of a new bird is, he’s going home with the experience of a lifetime.
First time’s the charm for Ceccarelli
An electrician in Italy, Ceccarelli had never been to the United States before traveling across the Atlantic, and then half the country, to Grove, Oklahoma. But, if you’re up on the scene in international fishing, you know they can catch ‘em in Italy – and as they say, a bass is a bass.
“This is my first time to come to the US,” Ceccarelli said. “Grand Lake is amazing. I felt like there was a huge population of bass. It’s really difficult to outsmart the fish here because there is clear water, muddy water, a lot of different conditions. In Italy, we have small lakes, small fisheries, so you need to select the perfect spot and the right technique, whereas in the US, you have to cover a lot of water and fish fast.”
Fishing behind different pros each day, Ceccarelli used three distinct techniques.
“I had three different days, and three different anglers; fortunately, I managed to make the best of every day,” he said. “The first day, the wind was strong, so I decided to throw an umbrella rig. The second day, I caught them on a jig, because they were on structure. The third day with tough fishing conditions, I used a weightless Senko.”
On the first two days, Ceccarelli limited, and he caught four on the final day, which moved him up from fourth to the win.
“It feels amazing, I think it’s unbelievable, but we did it,” he said. “It’s amazing to have won a Phoenix. I want to say thanks to my sponsors BPK Customs and Plus Fishing, and my family, and friends and fishing teachers, who are amazing.”
Top 10 co-anglers
1. Giovanni Ceccarelli – 27 – 2 (14) – $33,500
2. Jeremy Bouldin – 26 – 4 (10) – $12,600
3. Michael Luckey – 25 – 2 (11) – $10,000
4. James Cobbs – 24 – 14 (12) – $7,500
5. Glenn Hall – 24 – 4 (11) – $5,000
6. Jakob LaBelle – 24 – 2 (11) – $4,000
7. Scott Standafer – 23 – 13 (12) – $3,500
8. Tommy Pritchard – 21 – 5 (10) – $3,000
9. Ben Burk – 20 – 11 (9) – $2,500
10. Kade Wesner – 19 – 12 (11) – $2,000