KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Weather and team dynamics did not make it easy for Cooper Anderson of Scotts Hill Student Anglers, but the 8th grader from Henderson, Tenn., sacked up a 19-pound, 8-ounce limit and won the Tackle Warehouse Bassmaster Junior Series event at Kissimmee Chain.
On a day that saw a weather system bring 25-knot winds, Anderson fished the season opener alone. His partner was unable to make the trip to Central Florida, but that wasn’t stopping Anderson from making his pals at Chester County Jr. High proud.
“It was really special to get the win on my first try,” Anderson said. “This is my first year fishing the Junior Series and to come down here and accomplish that meant a lot.
“I thought it would be a lot more challenging to get the bites with only one line. I focused more on deeper water, because I didn’t have to set up the boat in position for two people to fish.”
With his father, Spencer, serving as his boat captain, Anderson stayed on the north end of Lake Toho and fished various submerged vegetation on areas that dropped from 5-15 feet. Most of his fish bit in about 7 feet.
“I caught all my fish on a Hog Farmer (umbrella rig) with Keitech 3.8 FAT Swing Impact swimbaits in bluegill color with a white one in the middle,” Anderson said. “Most of my fish bit the center bait.
“If they were following the rig, I would twitch it a little and that would get them to bite it.”
Anderson fished two main spots and spent most of his time on the first one. At the end of the day, he stopped at his second spot about 500 yards away and added a final keeper.
“My best action was between 10:30 and 11:30,” Anderson said. “I didn’t have a keeper at 10:30, but once they started biting, it happened quickly.
“My biggest fish was a 5-8. I caught that one around 1:30.”
Anderson said the day’s early hours were easily manageable, but once the strong winds started around noon, boat positioning became challenging. Power-Poles and Minn Kota Spot-Lock played key roles in allowing him to effectively line up with the wind.
Brayden Bontrager and Creek Bradtmiller of Track and Channel Youth placed second place with 14-2.
Knox White and Jacob Deane of Mt. Juliet Fishing – Juniors finished third with 13-4.
Gunner Robbins and Drew Smith of Livingston Academy Junior Bassmaster won the Phoenix Boats Big Bass award with a 6-7.
Experience Kissimmee, Florida hosted this event.
