Florida’s Lake Toho’s History Awaits PAA Teams
OutdoorHub 01.17.12
Mention Lake Toho to just about any diehard bass angler and thoughts of giant largemouth, sunny skies and memorable trips easily come to mind.
The famed lake in Kissimmee is one of central Florida’s most well-known among tournament and recreational anglers. It’s often cited as one of the prime destination lakes, along with Okeechobee, Guntersville, Kentucky, Fork, Falcon, Clear and Erie, among others.
History abounds at these lakes and Toho definitely has a solid chapter among them. Even before tournament fishing became popular, the Kissimmee River impoundment was a getaway for anglers seeking big bass along with big catches of crappie and sunfish. Its natural beauty and near year-round warm climate only add to the experience.
The Professional Anglers Association will make a visit to Toho for the second time in three years when the PAA Tour Team Challenge takes place Jan. 23-28. Going out of Lakefront Park in Kissimmee, top pros will team up for three days on Toho in a special event filled with fun, strategy and big bass.
Tournament days are Jan. 26-28, with weigh-ins at Lakefront Park the first two days. The final weigh-in will take place at Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World on International Drive in Orlando.
Tour Team Challenge teams must have at least one PAA Tour-level angler, with the other being a Tour- or Advantage-level member. The Advantage member can be a family member, friend or sponsor, or two Tour members may fish together.
The winning team will take home cash and a fully-rigged Nitro Z-8 with a Mercury 225 Optimax and T-H Marine Atlas jack plate, while the second-place team will win cash and a Nitro Z-7 with a Mercury 150 Pro XS and T-H Marine Atlas jack plate. Tour members also will receive points toward the PAA Angler of the Year title. Tournament highlights will be broadcast on FishPAA Television later in the year.
Among the teams registered or committed to participate are Guy Eaker and David Hendrick, Todd Auten and Marcus Malucelli, Dean Rojas and Terry Seagraves, Gerald Brown and Bobby Lane, Gary Clouse and John Kremer, Terry Scroggins and Gerald Swindle, Russ Lane and Derek Remitz, Shaw Grigsby and Paul Elias, Fred Contaoi and James Watson, Jeff Kriet and Jason Reyes, Pete Ponds and Takahiro Omori, Mike McClelland and Jared Lintner, Jeff Hager and Brian Snowden, and others.
