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Ewing Minor takes Round 1 at the Harris Chain

It was a explosive start for the weekend at the Hobie Bass Open Series (Hobie BOS) at the Harris Chain in Lake County, Florida. With 155 anglers from all over the U.S. taking the long drive to Lake County in the midst of the Florida bass spawning season, anglers were eager to get the Hobie BOS season started.

Big Bass Show Up for Day 1

It was apparent fairly early on Day 1 that the big bass bite was on for some of the anglers. Georgia angler Joshua Diehl took an early lead with a couple bass over 21 inches and was one of the first to crack the 90 inch mark. Ohio angler Jason Issacs and Virginia’s Ewing Minor both ended up putting 24.25 inch toads on the board by the end of the day.

However it would be Minor that loaded up a monster 108.5 inch limit of bass with the smallest being 21 inches. A monster limit of bass for any lake and a new Hobie BOS record that would be the start of an exiting event for Minor with over 8 inches between himself and second place where fellow Virginian Justin Largen was sitting with a strong 99.75 inch imit. 2022 Angler of the Year Cody Milton was right there in 4th place with 93.75 inches and the aforementioned Diehl in 5th with the same.

Leaderboard Change Up for Day 2

Big bass once again biting but this time for a totally new group of anglers. Similar to the flip flop at the Kayak Bass Fishing Polk County event in January, anglers who fell short of Saturday made a comeback on Sunday, which leaders had either beat their areas up or failed to make the right adjustments.

North Carolina’s Dontrell Sullivan had a descent Saturday with 81.25 inches which was 30 inches off the lead came back with the heat on Sunday with 93.5 inches on Sunday for a top 10 day. Similar stories for fellow North Carolinian Nicky Ezell which placed 4th on Sunday but it would be Matt Millard from Tennessee that would win the day with 98.25 inches, just missing that century mark.

Seth Willoughby of Pennsylvania would land a bass of a lifetime with a 25.5 inch behemoth for the Big Bass of the weekend, sadly didn't have many more to go with it but a fish that big will make your day unforgettable regardless! Great job getting that beast on the board!

A Minor Problem to Solve

The man to beat was Ewing Minor with such a massive lead on Day 1. If the other anglers wanted to take the win, they had to put together a similar record breaking limit. Adam Riser of Tennessee had a consistent weekend in the 90 inch range both days for total of 185.75 inches for a well deserved third place. Justin Largen however had such a good Day 1 his sold Day 2 limit of 87 inches landed him a total of 186.75 inches for 2nd place.

Z-Man and Fishing Online pro Jody Queen would have a better Day 2 as well to add 93.25 inches to his 84 inches on Day 1 for a solid 177.25 inches setting him in 8th place. Joshua Diehl would just miss the top 5 with 178.5 inches right behind Milton who had a solid weekend with 179.5 inches.

However after an amazing weekend of big Florida bass it was Ewing Minor who broke 200 inches with a total of 201.5 inches for an impressive win to start off the 2023 Angler of the Year race and take home a nice check of $7,149!

Off to Shreveport, Louisiana

The next stop on the Hobie BOS will be in Louisiana at Lake Caddo and Lake Bistineau. More trophy bass on the minds of 190 anglers as they head to these swamp donkey waters in Shreveport, LA! Still time to sign up with 35 spots open -  Sign Up