Ocala, Fla. resident Keith Fels caught the lone sack exceeding 20 pounds on day 1 of the Lake Okeechobee Southeaster Rayovac to set himself more than a pound apart from the remainder of the 226-angler field.
Cold weather that invaded Florida dropped water temperatures at Okeechobee into the high 50s – about 15 degrees lower than they'd been previously. Temperatures are expected to increase as the event progresses.
Tennessee's Thomas Helton caught 19-08 to settle into 2nd. Jared McMillan was another 4 ounces back in 3rd.
Here's a look at the initial Top 10:
1. Keith Fels: 20-09
2. Thomas Helton: 19-08
3. Jared McMillan: 19-04
4. Jared Dial: 18-08
5. Vu Au: 16-03
6. Lionel Botha: 15-14
7. Trent Pardue: 15-12
8. (tie) Steve Daniel: 15-11
8. (tie) Brandon McMillan: 15-11
8. (tie) Kent Ware: 15-11