UCF Team Wins Bassmaster College Series Regional

OKEECHOBEE, Fla. – Kyle Oliver and Hunter McKamey of the University of Central Florida overcame an unexpected cold front to win the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Southern Regional on Lake Okeechobee with a two-day total of 39-12. The duo held on to a Day 1 lead and brought 20 pounds, 13 ounces of bass to the scales on Saturday to clinch the win.

In practice, the record field of 130 college teams enjoyed clear skies and 80-degree weather, but frigid temperatures the night before competition changed the bass bite and the anglers’ plans. On Friday, winds at 25 miles per hour prevented half the field from reaching the spots they found productive in practice, but those conditions, including the 40-degree temperatures, actually helped the UCF winners.

Fishing a vast pad field with Zoom Speed Worms and Gambler Burner Worms, Oliver and McKamey caught fish that were preparing to spawn, as well as bass moving out of the spanwing areas due to the cold.