Sam Hanggi hammers ’em at Lake Okeechobee and with 23 pounds, 15 ounces, takes the lead on Day 1! While the overall bite has been a little slow, Hanggi caught a couple kickers to propel him to over a 4 pound lead. Warming temperatures should keep the bite heating up at the Nitro Bassmaster Elite Qualifier at Lake Okeechobee presented by Bass Pro Shops! More details coming soon!

There are mackerel, harbor pollock, and squid in the Canal along with a few schoolies, but most anglers are looking to tautog to extend their saltwater seasons as the striper bite dwindles.

Stripers to 40 pounds feed on sand eels and bunker on the South Shore while schoolies and 20 pounders chase peanuts in the Sound, and the tog bite remains strong as the fish transition to deeper structure.