Elite

Lester battles crowd on Okeechobee

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Photography by
Kyle Jessie
Few anglers have been on a hot streak quite like Brandon Lester headed into the SiteOne Bassmaster Elite at Lake Okeechobee.
In 2022, Lester notched his first and second B.A.S.S. wins and finished second in Progressive Angler of the Year standings.
The Tennessee pro has a history of success in the state of Florida, including an Open win at the Kissimmee Chain just a year ago.
Just a few minutes into the morning, Lester sets the hook on his first keeper of the morning.
While it wasn’t a giant, it was certainly a solid start.
As a veteren Elite pro, Lester knows the importance of slowing down and fishing methodically.
For over an hour, Lester picked apart the vast cover in just a short stretch.
One of the next pitches he made was the right one, as he hooks up with a true Lake Okeechobee giant.
The name of the game in the state of Florida is getting a big bite or two. Your bag is often anchored by one big bass, and that’s exactly what Lester hooked here.
“What a bass,” Lester said as the fish came to the surface.
Lester carefully played the fish around the boat and went in for the scoop.
“Boom!”
“That right there is what you come to Florida for,” he said as he showed cameraman Brian Eavey.
This beautiful bass was extremely dark.
As predicted by the anglers, fishing in a crowd was inevitable.
Depending on the cover, Lester was mixing in a variety of different baits.
Elite Series rookie John Soukup was one of the other anglers in the area.
Just as Soukup eased by, Lester hooks up with another keeper.
Just moments later, Matt Robertson made his way into the area.
As Robertson was still talking to Soukup, he hooked up with a solid keeper.
Both anglers got a good laugh about the situation, but I assume Soukup didn’t think it was that funny.
As the day went on, more and more anglers made their way into the area.
The Sleepy Assasin looking extra sleepy.
As Lester tried to finish his limit, he pulls out a spinning rod.
This decision pays off as he boats his fifth keeper.
Elite Series rookie Bryant Smith.
Matty Wong.
We ended the afternoon with a great visual of how crowded these special areas were.

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